Placement Testing (COMPASS)

Placement Testing at the Academic Skills Center All full-time students and those who have accumulated 12 credit hours or more are required to take the complete COMPASS Test.

What is the COMPASS Placement Test?

The COMPASS Placement Test is a product of ACT designed to assist in placing students accurately in various courses in mathematics, English, and some humanities courses.

Where is the COMPASS Placement Test administered?

The test is given at the Academic Skills Center at Main Campus, room J-2013, and at the North Campus Learning Resource Center on a walk-in basis. Testing is also done on an outreach basis with numerous high school sites by advance arrangement with counselors.

Who uses the COMPASS Placement Test?

Joliet Junior College uses the COMPASS test for placement into math and English composition classes. The test also provides placement for English 130; Philosophy 101, 102, and 103; Journalism 102 and 201; and foreign language classes.

Placement in all English and world language courses is determined by scores in the COMPASS Placement Test and world language courses is determined by scores in the COMPASS Placement Test in both reading and writing. The English/World Languages Department does not accept placements from other schools, high school GPAs, or writing samples as an alternative for placement. Before you can enroll in a 100-level writing course or foreign language course, you must complete all prerequisites in developmental reading and writing.

Initial math placement is based on the COMPASS score or a previous college math course. A grade of "C" or better is required in a math course to advance to the next course in a sequence. Students must show proof of passing high school geometry with a grade of "C" or better, for both semesters, to satisfy the state of Illinois' math requirement.

How do I contact the Academic Skills Center?

If you have questions or concerns about the COMPASS Test, please feel free to call the Academic Skills Center at (815) 280-2261.

© 2008 Joliet Junior College

1215 Houbolt Road, Joliet, IL 60431-8938
Phone: (815) 729-9020