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COMPASS Test Preparation

COMPASS Test Preparation. North Seattle Community College. Who needs to take the test?. Students who want to do the Running Start program. Students entering degree, certificate, or college transfer programs at NSCC.

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COMPASS Test Preparation

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  1. COMPASS Test Preparation North Seattle Community College

  2. Who needs to take the test? • Students who want to do the Running Start program. • Students entering degree, certificate, or college transfer programs at NSCC. • Students who need to complete requirements for English and Math. (See Sequence of English Classes and Sequence of Math Classes) • Students who want to take classes that list placement test scores as a prerequisite for the class.

  3. When you don’t need to test • You may not need to take the COMPASS test for English and Math placement. See an advisor if: • You have already taken the COMPASS at another school • You have already completed a college level English or Math class • You have already taken any of the following tests: • TOEFL • SAT • ACT • ASSET • ACCUPLACER

  4. COMPASS Tests

  5. COMPASS Tests

  6. When Should You Test? • Don’t wait too long. English and Math classes fill fast. • If you are a new or returning student, you should test at least a few weeks before you plan to start classes – earlier is better. • If you are in Language Arts, developmental English, ESL, IEP, ABE or Math classes currently, you are still learning new material. Wait until the last month of the quarter to test.

  7. About the Testing Center • The Testing Center is on the 2nd floor of the College Center building in Room CC 2459C (around the corner from Financial Aid) • Call us at: 206-527-7659 • See our Testing Web site at: • https://northseattle.edu/testing • Look for COMPASS study guides. • Review the Testing Calendar

  8. About the Test • AMOUNT OF TIME • Tests are untimed. • You can pause out of your test at the end of a section, take a short break and come back to finish. • The test will save all your work and start where you left off. The entire test you are taking must be finished in that session. • SPECIAL ACCOMODATIONS • If you need a Testing Accommodation, such as a private room, or a reader or scribe, contact the Disability Services Office before you come to test. • Disability Services and the Testing Center will work with you to make an appointment time to take the test.

  9. Test Re-take Policy

  10. What To Do Before Testing

  11. COMPASS Math Review • Multiple-choice questions to test: • Basic math • Pre-algebra (1) • Algebra (2) • College Algebra (3) • Geometry • Trigonometry • Choose which of 3 levels to start based on what you have learned previously

  12. Math Tutorial Sample Read the question. Do the math. Choose an answer from the choices.

  13. Can I use a calculator? • The Answer is YES. • You are not allowed to use your own calculator. • Switch between the standard and the scientific calculators from Windows. • There is a link built into the test.

  14. Windows Accessories Standard Calculator The standard calculator is a good choice pre-algebra and algebra COMPASS questions. If you know that you can do math at a higher level, you may want to familiarize yourself with the scientific calculator. This calculator does not follow the order of operations.

  15. Windows Accessories Scientific Calculator The scientific calculator is a good choice for questions about college algebra, geometry and trigonometry. It’s too complicated for simpler math. Use the standard calculator for pre-algebra and algebra questions.

  16. Math Concepts for Pre-Algebra • Basic operations with integers • Order of operations • Signed numbers and absolute value • Basic operations with fractions • Basic operations with Decimals • Factorization • Exponents, square roots and scientific notation • Ratios, Proportions and Percents • Mean, median and mode

  17. Order of Operations SOLVE: 43 + 9 * 52 - 6 ( 3 + 4) /2 = 1st Parentheses 43 + 9 * 52 - 6 ( 3 + 4) /2 = 43 + 9 * 52 - 6 ( 7) /2 2nd Exponents 43 + 9 * 52 - 6 ( 7)/2 = 64 + 9 * 25 - 6 ( 7)/2 3rd Multiplication 64 + 9 * 25 - 6 ( 7)/2 = 64 + 225 - 42/2 4th Division 64 + 225 - 42/2 = 64 + 225 - 21 5th Addition 64 + 225 - 21 = 289 - 21 6th Subtraction 289 - 21 =268

  18. Signed Numbers -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 • Positive Numbers are more than zero. Negative Numbers are less than zero. • The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero. |3| = 3 or | -3 | = 3 • Addition (+) and Subtraction (-) • -2 + -3 = -5 • -2 + 3 = 1 (Treat the negative like subtraction) • 4 - -2 = 6 (Change two negatives to a positive) • Multiplication (*) and Division (/) • A positive number multiplied or divided by negative number = a negative number • An even number of negative numbers * or / = a positive number • An odd number of negative numbers * or / = a negative number

  19. Scientific Notation Simplify a number like 235,000,000,000 • Put a decimal after the 1st # and remove the zeros (2.35). This is called the coefficient. • Count the # of places after the decimal (1011). This is called the base. • Write in scientific notation (coefficient * base) • 2.35 * 1011 • 2.35E+11 • 2.35 X 10^11 • YOUR TURN: Simplify 12,852,000,000,000 • 1.2852 * 1013

  20. Factorization and Prime Numbers • Factorizations lists all the factors of a product • Factors are #s that divide evenly into a number • Product is the base number • A number can be divided: • By 2 if it’s even • By 3 if the sum of digits can be divided by 3 • 48 = 4 + 8 = 12 (can be divided by 3) • 92 = 9 + 2 = 11 (can’t be divided by 3) • By 5 if the last number is 5 or 0 • By10 if the last number is 0 • Prime numbers only have two factors: 1 and itself. • Example: Only 1 and 19 can be divided by 19 Factors of 100 = 2, 2, 5, 5 = 2252

  21. Fractions: Adding and Subtracting • Adding and Subtracting Fractions with the same bottom number (denominator) is simple: • Examples: • If the denominators are different, you will have to convert them to the Lowest Common Denominator (LCD) + = - = 2 * 3 = 6 Use 6 as the LCD 4 * 5 = 20 Use 20 as the LCD + = - = + - - = + =

  22. Fractions and Mixed Numbers • You may need to reduce a fraction to simplify. • Divide the numerator (top) and denominator (bottom) by the same number. • Try to divide by 2, 3, 5 or 10 first. • You may need to convert a mixed number to a fraction. • Multiply whole number by denominator (bottom). • Then, add that number to the numerator (top). • You may need to convert a fraction to mixed number. • Divide the numerator (top) by denominator (bottom) to get the whole number. • Use the remainder for the numerator (top). = = = 2 * 6 + 5 = 17 = = 17 ÷ 6 = 2 with 5 remaining =

  23. Fractions: Multiplying and Dividing • To multiply fractions, multiply the numerators and denominators across. Then, simplify. • To divide fractions, switch the numerator (top) and the denominator (bottom) of the 2nd fraction, then multiply across. Then, simplify. * = = Reduce fraction 16 ÷ 15 = 1 with 1 remaining ÷ = * = = Convert to mixed number

  24. Ratios Ratios compare two things to each other. What is the ratio of circles to stars? • Write as a fraction • Write with “to” • Write using a colon 4 circles to 7 stars 4:7

  25. Proportions A proportion is a statement that two ratios are equal • Ratios are equal if their cross-products are equal (cross-multiply to check) • Are these ratios a proportion? • What value of n will make this a proportion? a * d = b * c = 3 * 20 = 5 * 14 60 ≠ 70 No, they aren’t proportionate. = 2 * 18 = 6 * n 36 = 6n 36/6 = n 6 = n =

  26. Conversions A percent “per 100 parts” can be written as a percent, a decimal or a fraction. • 25 % is 0.25 or • Convert the percents to decimals • Move the decimal 2 places to the left. • 35 % = 3 5 = 0.35 • Convert the percents to fractions and simplify • 35 % = • You must convert percent to either decimals or fractions to solve problems =

  27. Percentages • A percent problem has three parts: • The Part (a portion of the total) • The Whole (the total amount) • The Percent (a portion of 100 equal parts) • What % of 80 is 24? • Solve for the Percent = Part ÷ Whole • 24 ÷ 80 = 0.3 * 100 = 30% • 30% of 120 is what number? • Solve for the Part = Whole * Percent • 120 * 0.3 = 36 • 30% of what number is 24? • Solve for the Whole = Part ÷ Percent • 24 ÷ .3 = 80 Part Divided by Multiplied by Whole Percent

  28. Measures of Central Tendency Find the mean, median and mode for this set of COMPASS algebra scores 84, 70, 65, 35, 84, 55, 35, 84 35 55 65 70 84 84 84 Mean = (35 *2) + 55 + 65 + 70 + (3 * 84) /8 = 512 / 8 = 64 Median = 65, 70 = (65 + 70)/2 = 67.5 Mode = 84

  29. Online Resources • COMPASS practice tests online (Gainesville State College) • http://www.gsc.edu/academics/acadenrich/ls/CPE/Pages/default.aspx • Guide to Grammar and Style (Rutgers University) • http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing/ • Grammar Review for Writing Test (Grammar Bytes) • http://www.chompchomp.com/menu.htm • COMPASS Practice Test printouts with answer keys (pdfs) • http://www.act.org/compass/sample/index.html • Review Pre-algebra and Algebra (Hostos Community College) • http://www.hostos.cuny.edu/oaa/compass/ • Review College Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry (SOS Math) • http://www.sosmath.com/ • Hundreds of short math prep videos and exercises (Khan Academy) • http://www.khanacademy.org/#browse • Must use your Google or Facebook account to sign-in

  30. COMPASS Writing Review • Read an essay and edit it for errors in punctuation, grammar, sentence structure, strategy, organization and style. • Select each line and you are given five multiple-choice options for changing the line. • The first option (A) is always identical to the original wording, and thus represents NO CHANGE.

  31. Writing Skills Tutorial Sample The essay is on the left. When you select a sentence, multiple choice options appear. Choose A to keep the original text. You can select more to scroll up and down in the essay.

  32. Writing Test Strategies

  33. Writing Questions Mechanics (For ESL and IEP Students) Rhetorical Skills • Punctuation • End of sentence and between clauses • Commas and apostrophes • Unnecessary punctuation • Grammar and usage • Subject-verb and pronoun agreement • Verb forms and tense • Sentence structure • Sentence errors • Appropriate use of modifiers • Strategy • Audience and purpose • Adding, revising or deleting support • Openings, transitions and closings • Organization • Establishing logical order • Deleting irrelevant ideas • Style • Word choice • Choosing appropriate sentence elements • Avoiding Repetition

  34. A GOOD SENTENCE: • Has a single or compound subject (stated only once). • Has a complete verb phrase. • Expresses at least one complete idea that can stand alone. • Begins with a capital letter. • Ends with a period, question mark or exclamation point.

  35. Basic Punctuation Rules • Check semi-colons. Be sure there’s a complete thought on each side. • I wanted to go to the party; however, I had to study for my test. • Check for comma splices (two complete thoughts with only a comma between them). • I wanted to go to the party, I had to study for my test. (COMMA SPLICE – NOT CORRECT) • I wanted to go to the party, but I had to study for my test. (COMPOUND SENTENCE) • Check commas. • Commas come before coordinating conjunctions (, and). • Commas are used with a series of three or more items. • Commas are used to set off introductory phrases, non-essential clauses and interrupters. • Check colons. It introduces lists or re-statements. • On the COMPASS, we test three skills: reading, writing and math. • Check apostrophes. Its needs an apostrophe only if you mean it is.Yours, theirs, his, and hers never need an apostrophe.

  36. COMPASS Reading Review • Read essays and answer multiple-choice questions. • You may be asked to read multiple essays. • Types of Reading: • Practical readings (newspaper articles, business documents, etc.) • Fiction (stories) • Humanities (essays about art, literature, music, languages, etc.) • Social Sciences (history, psychology, sociology, etc.) • Natural Sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.)

  37. Reading Questions

  38. Reading Comprehension Tutorial Sample The reading is on the left. You can click more to scroll up and down in the reading. The questions are on the right.

  39. Reading Test Strategies Read the passage completely

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