COMPASS Placement Test
Click here for the COMPASS practice test.

What is COMPASS?

COMPASS, York Technical College's computer-adaptive placement test, measures skills in reading, writing, and mathematics.

The Assessment Center hours for the Compass Placement Test are:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday               8am - 9pm
Friday and Saturday                                                    8am - 2 pm

Arrive at least 2 hours before closing time in order to complete the test in one session. You must present a picture ID and a paid receipt for the $10.00 placement test fee in order to be admitted into the Assessment Center. Anyone testing on Saturday must submit the application for admission and pay the $10.00 test fee on a week day prior to testing.   Anyone who needs to retest must pay a $50.00 fee.

Special Accommodations: You may request special accommodations for a documented disability by contacting the Special Resources Office at 327-8007 BEFORE YOU TAKE THE TEST. Should you request accommodations after taking the test, you will be required to pay the $50.00 retest fee.

COMPASS helps determine your placement in York Technical College courses. There is no time limit for the tests. The computer selects questions for you based on your answers to previous questions. NO experience with computers is needed.

The Assessment Center staff will assist you in beginning COMPASS and will be available if you need additional help. The computer will explain how to record your answers as you take the tests.

Follow all instructions very carefully and pay particular attention to the instructions in the Writing Skills test. There are essays in this part of the test that contain errors in punctuation, grammar, and style. You will locate errors and choose options for rewriting the essay. You must answer all of the questions about the essay as a whole before you can go on. After you click the "Go On" button, you CANNOT go back.

After you have completed the test, you will meet with an admissions counselor to discuss your next steps.

How can I Pass the COMPASS?

Preparing for COMPASS will help you find success. COMPASS is NOT a pass-fail test. It is a college placement test. You cannot fail. The test is simply designed to help you and the college determine whether you are ready to immediately start the program you have chosen or need some additional preparation first.

The three COMPASS placement measures (Mathematics, Reading, and Writing) are designed to assist York Tech in placing students into appropriate courses. There are potentially six possible placement scores -- one each in writing and reading and up to four in mathematics.

Click here for the COMPASS practice test.

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COMPASS Placement Test Click here for the COMPASS practice test.

COMPASS Placement Test
Click here for the COMPASS practice test.