PLACEMENT TESTING

| Testing Center

PLACEMENT TESTING

You must show photo ID when taking a placement test.

• No fee     
• No appointment necessary:             
  • Main Campus                 (503) 594-3283

    Hours: During General Testing

  • Harmony Campus          (503) 594-0636         

    Hours: Monday-Thursday 9-4, Friday 9-2 (call to verify)

  • Wilsonville Campus       (503) 594-0944                       

    Hours: Monday-Thursday 7-6, Friday 7-3 (call to verify)

If you have taken the SAT or ACT, you may be able to use those scores to place into writing and math classes.  To see if your scores would qualify, use our SAT/ACT placement conversion chart .

ALEKS Test

The main campus testing center is piloting a math placement test by ALEKS that is integrated with our math curriculum.  For the time being, some students who take the math placement test will be given this test, and others will be given the COMPASS math placement test.

This test has an integrated calculator that is available on problems that allow calculator use.  This adaptive test is not timed, so the amount of time needed to complete the test will vary.

COMPASS TESTS

The COMPASS placement test consists of three parts (reading, writing, and math) and is administered on a computer. Students can choose to take one, two, or all three of these parts. The tests are not timed, and students should allow at least 1½ hours to complete all three tests (approximately ½ hour for each test). Scores are available immediately after students finish their test. New students should plan to take this test prior to meeting with an academic advisor.

To see the cut scores for placing into our various classes, view our Placement Transition Chart.

What to expect…

Writing  

The writing assessment is a multiple choice test. Students are asked to read and edit essays.

• Sample Writing Questions
• Grammar Practice

Reading             

The reading assessment is a multiple choice test. Students are asked to read and answer questions on reading comprehension passages.

• Sample Reading Questions

Math     

The math assessment is an adaptive, multiple choice test with an integrated calculator. The questions begin at the pre-algebra level and increase in difficulty with each correct answer. Students should review their basic math skills before taking the math assessment since basic math questions must be answered correctly before more advanced math questions are given. When a student can no longer perform the level of math required for the questions given, the test ends. Since the number of questions given to a student depends on their ability in math, the time needed for this test varies.

• Sample Math Questions
• Math Practice (www.math.com)

Look at the column to the left of the page for study topics.  Be sure to study basic math, pre-algebra, and algebra.

CASAS FWA

Students who speak English as a second language and who are placed into ABE (Adult Basic Education) with the COMPASS test will be asked to try the CASAS Functional Writing Assessment.  This is a 30 minute assessment where the student writes an essay based on a picture prompt.

ASSET TESTING

If you believe you have a disability that prevents you from being able to meet your full potential when taking the ALEKS or COMPASS test on a computer or if you have limited computer skills, we are happy to provide the ASSET paper-based placement test for reading, writing, and math.

COMPUTER PLACEMENT TEST

The computer exam is used to determine placement into CS courses, and can also meet the computer literacy requirement for some programs (other prerequisites may apply). The assessment is a computer-based test with questions that cover a wide variety of computer knowedge skills. Scores are available immediately after students finish the test. Students do not receive any credit for taking this exam, and it is not reflected on transcripts.

Applicants to the nursing program must earn a minimum score of 62 on this exam.

What to expect on the test...

• 80 multiple choice questions
• Questions on general hardware and software knowledge, including the Windows operating system, Microsoft Office Suite, and general computer terminology and fundamentals.

Score Conversion Chart