VI. COMPASS Testing/Developmental Courses

 

THE COMPASS PLACEMENT INSTRUMENT

All entering students are required to take the COMPASS test to assess their knowledge in reading, writing and mathematics unless they meet the following exceptions.

  1. Submission of a transcript showing completion of an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
  2. Achievement of an ACT sub-score of 21 or higher (or SAT equivalent of 500) in mathematics, English and social science. The ACT/SAT must have been taken in the last 5 years.
  3. Submission of a transcript showing completion of college level writing and/or mathematics courses with a C or better.
  4. Enrollment in 9 or fewer hours for personal enrichment as a non-degree bound Special Student.
  5. Permission of the Department Chair to enroll as a concurrent student in a course offered by that department. Students enrolling in English or Math courses must take COMPASS test for placement purposes.

Students who score below college proficiency levels on the COMPASS in reading, writing and/or mathematics must take the appropriate college preparatory (developmental courses) beginning their first semester and each semester thereafter until they reach college level competency. Students must earn a C or better in each developmental course before they can progress to the next sequential course.

 

Western New Mexico University offers pre-college developmental courses in writing, reading and mathematics. Because these courses cover material that is traditionally covered in high school courses, they do not count for degree credit, either for general education requirements or as electives.  However, they do count as "institutional" credit, meaning that they count for financial aid and housing purposes, and the grades are figured into a student’s overall GPA.  Students who need to take several developmental courses should plan on taking more time to graduate than students who do not need developmental coursework.

   

 If students know that they will be taking the COMPASS test, it is a good idea to suggest that they "brush up" on their basic skills, so that they are placed into the correct course level, and are neither unchallenged nor "lost" in a course.  This is especially important when enrolling students in mathematics courses, which are rather sequential in nature.

 

The first level mathematics course is called Fundamentals of Mathematics (DSM101) and reviews basic concepts and computations of arithmetic.  The second level is Fundamentals of Algebra (DSM102) and is an entry-level course in pre-algebra and algebra concepts.  
    Below are some skills students should review in order to pass these portions of the COMPASS math test. Students taking the COMPASS are allowed to use a simple calculator that will be provided. Students are also allowed to repeat the COMPASS test if it is recommended by the proctor or advisor to do so.

 

DEVELOPMENTAL COURSES

MATHEMATICS

Level 1 (DSM101)
    - Add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers, fractions and decimals
    - Understand and work with ratios
    - Use equations to solve percent and proportion problems
    - Convert between fraction, decimal and percent forms of numbers
    - Convert between different units of measurement.
    - Solve simple word problems of adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing
    - Develop, interpret and use simple tables and graphs.

Level 2 (DSM102)
    - Add, subtract, multiply and divide positive and negative numbers.
    - Evaluate algebraic expressions
    - Simplify variable expressions by using the distributive property and
            combining similar terms.
    - Solve linear equations containing one variable.
    - Solve quadratic equations by factoring.
    - Add, subtract, multiply and divide polynomials
    - Factor polynomials over the set of integers.

 

COMPASS Placement Recommendations

 

Mathematics Placement Test

 

Pre-algebra                 0-59                    DVSM 101

Algebra                      0-39                    DVSM 102

Algebra                      40-74                  MATH 105

or MATH 111

 

Reading Placement Test

0-39                                                      DVSR 101

40-69                                               DVSR 102

 

Writing Placement Test

                                  0-39                    DVSW 101

                                  40-69                  DVSW 102

 

Refer to Fred Flores at ABE

 

Mathematics              25 or below         DVSM 101

Reading                      35 or below         DVSR 101

Writing                       15 or below         DVSW 101

 

ACT score of 21 (500 SAT) in                     Waives taking COMPASS

English and/or Math subgroup

 

ACT Score of 26 or higher will be given the opportunity to enroll in Honors Classes.