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MTC Placement Test FAQ
Am I required to take the MTC Placement Test? Yes, prospective students are required to take a placement test unless you exempt testing for one of the following reasons.
How do I schedule to take the MTC Placement Test? Placement testing, at Midlands Technical College, is available on a walk-in basis in the Assessment Testing Centers at both campuses. Test may be taken during the hours listed in the Placement Test Schedule. Tests are not given on holidays when the college is closed. To verify available times, please contact the Student Assessment Center.
Beltline Campus – (803) 790-7522 Special arrangements may be made for persons with disabilities. A request form for special testing (requires Adobe Acrobat) is available through the Disabilities Resource Center. The request form must be completed and returned with documentation before final test arrangements can be made. On the day you are tested, you should know or bring your social security number and bring a picture identification card (such as a driver's license, work ID or passport). Plan to be on campus for approximately 3 to 3 ˝ hours.
How can I study or prepare for the MTC Placement Test? No special preparation is necessary as the tests are designed to measure skills acquired through high school, work experience or previous college work. It is highly recommended that you familiarize yourself with the test by reviewing the sample questions and any time limits associated with each section. If you feel your skills are rusty, you may want to do more intense study. Several study guides are available for use. One guide you may find helpful is Chart Your Success on the COMPASS. You may purchase this book from the Midlands Technical College Bookstore. In addition, study guides for use with college entrance exams are excellent to use and are available through local bookstores. No matter how you choose to prepare, keep in mind that the main purpose of the skills assessment portion of the Midlands Technical College Placement Test is to help you identify your present strengths and needs. The results help you and your advisor determine where you need to begin studies in mathematics, reading and English. Sometimes this test will indicate that you might need to review basic skills in order to be successful in your educational goal.
What If I Fail the MTC Placement Test? First and foremost, the Midlands Technical College Placement Test is not pass-fail. It is used for course placement. Your scores will indicate where your strengths and weaknesses are in relation to college level work for your chosen major. If you need assistance in meeting academic requirements, we offer classes in math, reading and English, as well as tutoring for those who qualify.
When Will I Receive the Results of the MTC Placement Test? Most of the scores from the test you take will be available immediately following testing. For students taking the written portion of the test (the Writing Sample), the Writing Sample scores are generally available about 7 working days after testing. These scores will be mailed to you for convenience or can be picked up from the Testing Center. In addition to your test scores, a copy of the new student orientation is available on CD-ROM or VHS (video) tape. Additional copies of test scores will also be available for pick up from either Student Assessment Center. A picture I.D. is required to receive a copy of your scores.
Due to the structure of the COMPASS examination, a RETEST is normally not available. However, if extenuating circumstances exist, a request for a RETEST may be submitted to the Director of Assessment for approval. If granted, a RETEST fee of $10 is due prior to the RETEST. The retest fee should be paid at the Cashier's Office on either campus. A request is available on line or by contacting the Beltline Campus at (803) 790-7522 or the Airport Campus at (803) 822-3659. For high school students taking the ASSET, a retest on ASSET may be taken at your respective high school when the Recruiting Office is scheduled to return to your school. Please notify the college recruiter or your high school counselor if you are interested in a retest. High school students may also choose to retest on the COMPASS exam after high school graduation. The COMPASS may be taken at either campus Testing Center.
How long is the Placement Test? Although COMPASS, the college's primary placement test, is not timed, most students who take the entire test will need about three hours to complete the test. If you only take one or two parts of the test, you should not need as much time as you would if you took the entire test. However, for students who take the ASSET exam, it is timed. Listed below is the order and actual testing time for the ASSET Test.
In order to take the Intermediate Algebra section, you must make a required score on the Numerical Skills (NS) and Elementary Algebra (EA) sections of the test.
Do I have to know how to use a computer? COMPASS is user-friendly and was designed for individuals with little or no computer experience! Testing Center staff will help you get started. COMPASS is self-directed. You will use a few keyboard “keys” such as the “TAB”, the “arrow”, the “return” and the “space bar” keys to select or highlight your responses as you move through the different tests. You will be given practice test as well as a mouse practice to help you become comfortable with the keys used during the test. One of the Study guides available for use may also have a practice test that simulates the COMPASS exam so inexperienced computer users may get a better feel for what the test is like. Relax and do the best you can. COMPASS is untimed.
Do I Need to Take These Tests If I'm Only a Part-time Student? Yes. Part-time students are required to take the test just as full-time students. However, some students may be exempt from the placement test process because of their major. For clarification, please contact the Admission's Office at Airport Campus (803) 822-3516 or at Beltline Campus (803) 738-7840.
Sample Questions: What will I be tested on? The COMPASS tests focus on reading, writing, and mathematics skills. What makes COMPASS unique is that it adapts to your abilities – questions increase or decrease in difficulty depending on your skill level. Writing Sample (Essay): You will write an essay which will help determine which freshman English course is best suited to your writing ability. You have a choice of two topics to write about. Chose the topic that you think will allow you to do your best writing. (Click here to see sample Writing Essay questions.) COMPASS mathematics covers a variety of items from pre-algebra to advanced mathematics, and you will be asked to select a correct answer from a list of choices. (Click here to see sample math questions.) COMPASS reading allows the student to highlight (using a computer key) the main idea of the passage, thereby measuring reading for comprehension and prior knowledge. (Click here to see sample reading questions.) The COMPASS writing passage allows the student to edit text that has a variety of “problems.” Writing skills include grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, as well as strategy, organization and style in effective writing. Because we are using computer technology, the difficulty of the items on the test adjusts to your strengths. (Click here to see a sample of how to correct a passage of writing.) The tests are not timed, so you can relax and do the best you can! You will also be asked some basic questions about your educational background and career plans to help our college faculty and staff get to know you better.
The scores on each test section of COMPASS has a score range from 0-99. A score of 99 is the highest score a student can make. Although there is a cut off score for enrolling in certain courses at MTC, COMPASS is not a pass-fail test. It was developed to assist in college academic advising and course selection. The results will help trained personnel decide where you should begin your academic coursework and will help you make appropriate career decisions. In other words, your scores will indicate where your academic strengths and needs lie in relation to college level work for your chosen major. Should you require assistance in meeting academic challenges, MTC offers special courses in mathematics, reading, and English in our Development Studies Department, as well as tutoring for those who qualify. The scores on the ASSET tests range form 23-55. A score of 55 is the highest scores a student can make on the ASSET test. Like COMPASS, ASSET is used by trained advisors to help place students in courses comparable to their skills without the course becoming overwhelming. Specific questions about your placement test scores should be asked directly to your advisor or a counselor in Counseling Services.
Do I need to bring anything with me to test? Bring your letter from the Office of Admission to be sure you are administered the correct test(s) and a photo identification (driver's license, military I.D., or employment I.D.) which is required of all examinees. Calculators are allowed during the advanced math testing. You will be given scratch paper to work out the problems.
What do I do once I complete my test? Once you complete the required placement test and have submitted an application for admission to the college, wait for a letter from the Office of Admissions notifying you of your admission status and your next step. In addition, student orientation information is available on CD-ROM for your convenience and viewing during your enrollment. The Orientation CDs are in the Student Assessment Testing Centers. You may secure a copy at the time of testing or may be picked up a copy later. It is recommended that you review a copy before you enroll for classes.
Sample Writing Essay
(1) Should a college education be free for all citizens?
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