Testing for Placement

Academic degree-seeking students must submit ACT or SAT scores to be placed in math and English courses.  Students who are 23 years of age, or students entering the Professional Technical program are required to take the COMPASS test for placement. 

Here are the requirements for Retaking the COMPASS for placement: 

A.     Retakes of the COMPASS will be allowed anytime that evidence exists that there was:

1.      Interference with the testing process caused by problems with technology

2.      Distractions during testing

3.      Health issues and

4.      Similar factors as judged by the exam proctor.

B.                  Documentation of successful completion of an Adult Basic Education course in the content area in which a student wishes to retest will serve as justification for one additional COMPASS retake.

C.                 The COMPASS test is a placement test only.  Once you have begun your mathematics or English curriculum at LCSC, you may not retake the COMPASS exam to exempt further developmental coursework.    

For English Placement

A retake on the English COMPASS exam will be allowed no sooner than one year (with the exception of retakes for conditions listed in A above)  after the initial exam was given.

A.     Students who believe the exam incorrectly placed them in a course will be allowed to seek an alternative placement exam that will be administered by the Director of Writing in the Humanities Division.

B.      A date of two weeks before the semester commences will be set for approved COMPASS retakes.  

For Math Placement

One retake on the Math COMPASS exam will be allowed.

A.     A retake cannot occur on the same day as the initial exam (unless approved to do so).

B.  Students who believe the exam incorrectly placed them after two exams will be allowed to seek an internal assessment by a math faculty person in the Natural Sciences & Math Division to determine placement.