Entering students who have not taken the ACT Assessment or SAT I test in the past five years must take placement examinations to determine the math and English courses appropriate for their skill level. Transferring students who have not completed a college-level math or English course will be placed into the appropriate level of SDSU math and English courses through one of two mechanisms:

1) ACT or SAT I sub-scores if taken within the past five years OR

2) ACT COMPASS computer-based writing skills, math, and reading assessment.

COMPASS may be used as a challenge to placement; however, there is a $16.45 challenge fee that must be paid prior to testing.   There is no fee for COMPASS if the testing is a requirement for the Board of Regents. This includes placement into higher-level math courses with an ACT Math sub-score of 25 or higher or old, invalid or no ACT scores.

Since students are only allowed one challenge by the COMPASS test, review of the subject should be done prior to testing. Sample questions for the COMPASS examination can be found on ACT's website [External Hyperlink].

Additional sites that may be helpful in finding additional sample questions include:

ACT Assessment sample questions [External Hyperlink]

ACT CAAP sample questions [External Hyperlink]

A photo ID is required for testing. Students are encouraged to bring their own calculator for the math portion of the examination; however, there is a calculator built into the COMPASS software. Acceptable calculators for ACT/COMPASS testing. [External Hyperlink]

COMPASS is a computer-based adaptive assessment program using modules that are self-paced allowing students to work at their own speed and comfort level. A tutorial program acquaints students with navigation and response patterns. The COMPASS Test does not have a time limit, the scores do not affect admission to SDSU, and there is no pass or fail score. Most students take about 30 minutes per section; the questions vary based on responses to previous questions.

For test scheduling, contact the Academic Evaluation and Assessment Office at 605-688-4217.

Since the ACT COMPASS test is a national test, it can be taken anywhere in the United States.