General Information

COMPASS is an adaptive computer assessment program that measures your skills in English grammar, reading comprehension and mathematics and is required of all students entering a program at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.  Your scores will be used by your Advisor to place you appropriately into courses that will enable you to succeed. You can prepare for it online.

You might be exempt from taking it

• If you have completed transferable college-level
  coursework in English, math, and computer applications you may be exempt from testing. Your official college transcript from the awarding college must be evaluated in order to determine any exemption.
• If you have an SAT score of 500 – Critical Reading, 500 – Writing, and 500 – Math or ACT score of 21 – Reading, 21 – Math, you are exempt from COMPASS testing. Your official scores must be received from the testing agency to determine any exemptions.
• If you have received a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university within the last ten years, you are exempt from testing. Your official college transcript showing the degree awarded must be received to determine any exemptions.

Please feel free to contact the RCCC Student Services office for more information at 704-216-3593 or 704-216-3637. You can also reach someone at studentservices@rccc.edu.

Test Administration

Due to the assessment being administered on computers, space is limited.  Therefore only pre-scheduled students will be able to participate in the session.  There is no time limit to the assessment, so do not rush.  We will start the session with a brief orientation.  You will be given your scores on paper, and they will be reviewed with you before you leave.  If the college experiences technical difficulties, a paper and pencil version of the assessment will be administered.

Results

COMPASS is an assessment of your skills in English, reading and math.  You cannot fail.  Upon completion of the assessment, a counselor will review your scores and may recommend retesting.  Your scores will be used when you meet with your advisor to choose courses within your program.  We want you to be successful, and this will help you start at the right level.

Special Arrangements

If you require special arrangements for testing, please notify Student Services when you are assigned a test date.  Proper documentation prior to the assessment will be required.

Confidentiality

The information given during the session as well as your results will be used by RCCC for counseling and placement purposes.  It may also be used by RCCC and ACT for research and reporting purposes.  If the information from your session is to be used for such purposes, our ct precautions will be taken to ensure confidentiality is maintained.

Rescheduling

If you need to reschedule your assessment, please contact Student Services using the information provided above.

Retesting

Retesting can only occur at designated retest sessions. Please contact student services for available dates, guidelines and fees.  A fee of $5.00 per retest session will be charged.  This fee must be paid through the RCCC Business Office prior to the retest session.