Shoreline Community College offers a comprehensive program of orientation, assessment, advising and placement. The assessment component includes your choice of either the ASSET (timed, paper and pencil) or COMPASS (not timed, computerized) placement test. We recommend the COMPASS test for placement since for most students it gives the most accurate placement. ASSET is offered by appointment and students who are not comfortable with a computer test may contact the Testing Center to schedule a session. Test scores are used to help ensure accurate placement in English and math courses.  Prospective students whose first language is not English are encouraged to take the English as a Second Language test (ESL test) offered through our Essential Skills Program (see details below).  The information will not be used to deny admission to the college.  (High School Running Start students may need to meet specific score requirements; call 206-546-6964 for more information.) 

English and math assessment is required for first-time college students and strongly recommended for all other students.  The Testing Office offers assessment at certain times, as well as GED testing to students without a high school diploma.

Assessment testing will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses in writing skills, reading skills, and mathematics.  With this information, you and your advisor will be able to increase your chances for success by selecting classes that are appropriate for your level of skills and abilities. 

Who Takes the Assessment Test?  Math and English Testing

Most students need to take an assessment test. Assessment is required of all students planning to complete a degree, take a math, English, or a “W” course (writing skills required), or courses requiring math or English prerequisites. See the testing schedule for information on scheduling test sessions. If you have taken the SAT (before March 2005) or ACT tests within the last three (3) years, no additional assessment is required; however, students are encouraged to take ASSET or COMPASS shortly before enrollment to provide the most accurate assessment.

Who Does Not Take the Assessment Test? 

If you have taken the TOEFL (English); or ASSET or COMPASS (at SCC or another college) tests within the last three (3) years.

  OR

If you have successfully completed a college English composition course (no date limit) and a college mathematics course (within the last three years).

  OR

If you are taking a few classes, but not a degree or certificate and those classes do not have English or math prerequisites.

Please submit your official transcript or test scores to the Admissions Office and bring an unofficial copy when meeting with an advisor.

Advanced Placement

If you have received college level English or math credit by taking the Advanced Placement (AP) tests this can replace taking the assessment test.  Students with scores of 3, 4, 5 in Math AB, BC or Statistics, do not need to take the Math portion of the ASSET or COMPASS, and receive credit for calculus or statistics.  Advanced Placement scores of 4-5 in Language or Composition in English provides students with 5 credits of Hum X credit and placement into English 101.  For a more detailed description of the Advanced Placement policy, please refer to the Academic Regulations link:
> Academic Regulations.  Please submit your official Advanced Placement scores to the Admissions Office.

If you take the ASSET or COMPASS test and your test results indicate that you need to contact a Humanities Advisor or Adult Basic Education (ABE) program, please contact the Essential Skills Program Office.  Students whose first language is not English or who receive a low placement score should contact the Essential Skills Office for information about testing and registration.  Please contact Debby Hunter at (206) 546-5827.  

English as a Second Language (ESL)

If English is not your fist language, and you’ve lived in the USA less than five years; or lived in the USA for more than five years and have never attended college; or you are having trouble with college classes, please contact the English as a Second Language Program. Call Debby Hunter at (206)546-5827 or send an e-mail message to dhunter@ctc.edu. 

Credit Transfer

If you have taken classes at another community college or four-year university, you may use these classes for the purpose of placement or evaluation to meet your requirements.  To receive an official evaluation of credits toward one of our transfer Associates degrees, please submit your transcripts to the Admissions Office along with the “Request for Transcript Evaluation” form. If you are interested in a professional/technical program, please meet with the program advisor who will evaluate your transfer credits.  

For those interested in taking math or related courses and whose courses are more than three years old, we recommend taking the math portion of the COMPASS test to assess current knowledge.  Please contact the Math/Science Advisor, Joyce Fagel, at (206)546-6984 or jfagel@shoreline.edu if you have questions.

Using scores from Other Colleges

The following test scores can be used: ASSET, COMPASS, ACT, and SAT. (SAT and ACT scores of any test date can be used for English placement, but SAT and ACT scores cannot be used for Math placement.)

Testing Center – General Information

How Do I take an Assessment?

ASSET

This is a paper and pencil, timed test which includes three, 25-minute sections.  You will receive your results at the completion of the test.  Take these results with you to your orientation/registration appointment.

COMPASS

This is a computerized, adaptive test which is not timed, but takes about 1 ½ to 2 hours to complete, depending on your pace.  Each test session is limited in time.  You will receive your results at the completion of the test.  Take these results with you to your orientation/registration appointment. 

The fee to take the ASSET or COMPASS test is $15. To schedule an appointment for testing and guarantee space you may call the Testing Center at 206-546-4608 and pay the testing fee using a credit card, come in and pay the testing fee at the cashier and take the receipt to the Testing Center. All testing fees are not transferable, not refundable, and receipts will not be replaced if lost.

General note:  If you have not done math recently, we recommend that you practice before taking the test.  This will help you utilize your math knowledge on the test and will result in a more accurate placement.  Any math book is fine (there are inexpensive ones available at used book stores or check your local library).  A small set of sample math questions is available from the Assessment Center; there are study guides for ASSET and COMPASS available at http://www.act.org/asset or http://www.act.org/compass or printable material from the Math Learning Center.

If you need accommodations for testing. 

If you need accommodation in the assessment testing process, please provide documentation of your disabling condition to the Office of Special Services call (206) 546-5832 for information.  If approved, OSS will arrange for accommodation with the Testing Center. 

Can I Re-Take the Assessment?

Re-taking the assessment is available with some limitations.  You must wait 30 days before re-taking the ASSET (please check with the Testing Center).  You may re-take COMPASS as soon as you are ready.  You may re-take a portion of the test (that subject in which you feel you were miss-placed).  You must pay the $15 testing fee before re-taking the test or any portion of the test.   

Revised 5/2005 Assessment

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To contact the Testing Center email testcenter@shoreline.edu