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Preparing for the math placement test
The test is divided into five levels of material: Prealgebra, Algebra, College Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry. Your answer in any particular section of the test will determine how many problems and which sections of the test you will see. As long as your answers are correct, the computer will continue to give you harder questions. Your answers will determine how many questions you will receive and the areas in which you will be tested.
The test is untimed, but you should allow at least 2 hours to complete the test. The computer decides when you are finished. You must complete the test to receive a score.
Hand-held calculators are not allowed. There is an online calculator for use during the test.
Need to review? Click on the appropriate title below:
Numerical Skills/Prealgebra
| Questions in the Numerical Skills/Prealgebra Placement Test range in content from basic arithmetic concepts and skills to the knowledge and skills considered prerequisites for a first algebra course. The Numerical Skills/Prealgebra Placement Test includes items from more than a dozen content areas; however, a majority of the questions come from the content areas listed below. |
| Operations with Integers Multiples and factors of integers Operations with Fractions Operations with Decimals Conversions between fractions and decimals Exponents, square roots, scientific notation Ratios and proportions Percentages Averages (Means, Medians, and Modes) Percent Word Problems Number Word Problems |
Algebra
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The Algebra Placement Test is composed of items from three curricular areas: elementary algebra, coordinate geometry, and intermediate algebra. Each of these three areas is further subdivided into a number of more specific content areas. Overall, the Algebra Placement Test includes items from more than 20 content areas; however, the majority of test questions fall within the content areas below. |
| Substituting Values into Algebraic Expressions Setting Up Equations for Given Situations Basic Operations with Polynomials Factoring Polynomials The AC method of factoring Linear Equations in One Variable Exponents and Radicals Simplifying Rational Expressions Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions Linear Equations in Two Variables |
College Algebra
| Items in the College Algebra Test focus on algebra knowledge and skills in a variety of content areas. The majority of items come from the first three content areas below. |
| Functions Exponents and Radicals Complex Numbers Other topics may include: Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences and Series Matrices (basic operations, equations, and determinants) Factorials |
Geometry
| Primary content areas in the Geometry Placement Test include: Triangles (perimeter, area, Pythagorean theorem, etc.) Circles (perimeter, area, arcs, etc.) Angles (supplementary, complementary, adjacent, vertical, etc.) Rectangles (perimeter, area, etc.) Three-dimensional concepts Hybrid (composite) shapes Reviews are listed below |
| Geometry Review #1 Geometry Review #2 Geometry Review #3 Geometry Review #4 Geometry Review #5 |
Trigonometry
| The primary content areas assessed by the Trigonometry Placement Test are listed below. |
| Trigonometric functions and identities Right-triangle trigonometry Trigonometric equations and inequalities Graphs of trigonometric functions Special angles (multiples of 30 and 45 degrees) |
Additional Resources
- For free online resources, click here.
- For a comprehensive review you may want to reference the book, Chart Your Success on the COMPASS. (ISBN 0-89892-302-6) This book is available on closed reserve in some of the libraries on NOVA campuses.
- You can also purchase an electronic version of a study guide from:
http://www.compass-test.com/ - Click here for other Compass Practice tests and additional resources.