COMPASS Math Placement Exam
The COMPASS Math Placement Exam determines which math courses you are eligible to take at Illinois State University. Placement exam results will be provided to assist in determining initial placement in a math course and should be discussed with your Academic Advisor.
All examinees will receive questions in Algebra. Depending on your Algebra score, you will then be routed into either Pre-Algebra questions OR College Algebra and Trigonometry questions. COMPASS is an untimed exam. The average time needed to complete the exam is less than one hour.
Who Takes the COMPASS Exam
If your ACT math subscore is 27 or greater, or your SAT math subscore is 620 or greater, you do NOT need to take the COMPASS Math Placement Exam.
However, if your ACT math subscore is 26 or below, or your SAT math subscore is below 620, you MUST take the COMPASS Math Placement Exam in order to register for math classes. If you are an admitted new beginning freshman student, you must take the COMPASS Math Placement Exam prior to attending Preview.
Registering for the COMPASS Exam
The COMPASS Math Placement Exam can only be taken by students who have paid the Enrollment Deposit Fee at Illinois State University. Scores may not transfer to other institutions.
To schedule an exam, please call University College Testing Services at (309) 438-2100. You may register for an exam to be taken at Illinois State University, or at a remote location. Exams are scheduled Monday through Friday, throughout the year.
Upon arriving for the exam, you must present photo identification and your University Identification (UID) number. If you cannot locate your UID number, please visit Welcome2ISU. A $20 fee will be charged to your student account.
You may also bring a caculator for use on the exam. For details, review our guidelines for calculator use.
If you need a special accommodation to fully participate in this test administration, please contact University College Testing Services at (309) 438-2100. Please allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.
Preparing for the COMPASS Exam
Reviewing sample questions may improve your test scores. Links to sample questions are found below.
Math Placement Policy
The COMPASS exam may be taken twice each fall or spring semester and three times in the summer semester.
Students must wait seven days before retesting.
COMPASS scores are valid for two years.
