What is Placement Testing

ASSET and COMPASS Placement Testing

ASSET and COMPASS placement tests are series of tests that are designed to indicate a student’s academic readiness in the areas of English, reading, mathematics and algebra. Academic advisors use the student’s test results to determine appropriate course placement. Appropriate placement helps to ensure students' success in reaching their educational goals.

ASSET is a series of timed paper-and-pencil tests consisting of four sections; 25 minutes are allowed on each section. COMPASS is a series of un-timed computerized tests. Talk to your advisor, the Admissions Officer, or the Counselor prior to testing if you have questions about which sections of ASSET/COMPASS you need to take.

Who Takes ASSET/COMPASS?

Taxidermy students	Reading, Numerical/Pre-Algebra
BLET students	Writing & Reading
College Transfer students General Education students	Writing, Reading, Numerical/Pre-Algebra, & Intermediate Algebra
Dental Assisting applicants Practical Nursing applicants	Writing, Reading & Numerical/Pre-Algebra
Other degree-seeking students	Writing, Reading, Numerical/Pre-Algebra, & Elementary Algebra
Special Credit students	Dependent upon course selection
Testing accommodations for students with special needs may be available upon request and with appropriate documentation. Call the Counseling & Career Development Center at 910-576-6222, Extension 210 or Ext 223, for more information. Distance learning students taking online courses may also contact the Counselor by phone or by email ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ).

When do you need to take ASSET/COMPASS?

You should take placement tests before you register for your first term at MCC. You will not be allowed to register for an English or math course until you have taken the tests. Call the Information Desk at 910-576-6222, Extension 600, to make an appointment for a test session. You must bring a photo ID to the session.

Applicants for Allied Health programs (Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, and Practical Nursing) should discuss retesting with the Admissions Officer. Students in non-allied health programs may retest based upon recommendation of the Counseling & Career Development Center.

Who is exempt from taking the placement test?

A. Transfer students who have earned a "C" or better on a college credit course from an accredited post-secondary institution:
English composition course	exempt from Writing Skills & Reading Skills
Reading course	exempt from Reading Skills
Math course	exempt from Numerical/Pre-Algebra
Algebra	exempt from Numerical/Pre-Algebra, Elementary Algebra, & Intermediate Algebra
B. Students who have completed the ASSET, COMPASS, SAT, ACT, or ACCUPLACER and scored the minimums as listed on the chart below are exempt from placement testing.

PLACEMENT TEST CUT-OFF SCORES (Testing must have been completed within the past 5 years.)
TEST	ASSET	SAT	ACT	COMPASS	ACCUPLACER
Writing	41	500	21	70	86
Reading	41	500	21	81	80
Nurmerical	41	500	21	47	55
Elementary Algebra	41	520	23	46	55
Intermediate Algebra	41	520	23	66	75

ASSET/COMPASS ADVISING GUIDE

TEST	ASSET	COMPASS	*COURSE PLACEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
Writing Skills	23 - 32	0 - 25	ENG 070 – Basic Language Skills – (non-credit course)
	33 - 37	26 - 51	ENG 080 - Writing Foundation - (non-credit course)
	38 - 40	52 - 69	ENG 090 - Composition Strategies - (non-credit course)
	41+	70 - 100	ENG 101 – Applied Communications I; ENG 111 - Expository Writing

Reading Skills	23 - 33	0 - 45	RED 080 - Intro to College Reading - (non-credit course)
	34 - 40	46 - 80	RED 090 - Improved College Reading - (non-credit course )
	41+	81 - 100	Proficiency for associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs

Writing Skills	33 - 37	41 - 51	ENG 085 – Reading and Writing Foundations – (non-credit course) (Placement based on combination of both Writing and Reading Skills scores)
Reading Skills	31 - 33	35 - 45

Writing Skills	38 - 40	60 - 69	ENG 095 - Reading and Composition Strategies – (non-credit course) (Placement based on combination of both Writing and Reading Skills scores)
Reading Skills	36 - 40	65 - 80

Numerical Skills / Pre-Algebra	23 - 35	0 - 25	MAT 050 - Basic Math Skills - (non-credit course)
	36 - 40	26 - 46	MAT 060 - Essential Math Skills - (non-credit course)
	41+	47 - 55	MAT 101 - Applied Math

Elementary Algebra	23 - 40		MAT 070 - Introductory Algebra
	41+		MAT 120 - Geometry & Trigonometry; MAT 140 - Survey of Math

Intermediate Algebra	23 - 35		MAT 070 - Introductory Algebra
	36 - 40		Math 080 - Intermediate Algebra - (non-credit course)
	41+		Math 151 - Statistics; MAT 171 – Pre-calculus Algebra

Algebra		0 – 45	MAT 070 - Introductory Algebra
		46 - 65	MAT 080 - Intermediate Algebra - (non-credit course); MAT 120 - Geometry & Trigonometry; MAT 121 - Algebra/Trigonometry I; MAT 140 - Survey of Mathematics
		66 - 100	MAT 151 - Statistics; MAT 171 – Pre-calculus Algebra

* Students who score below minimum cut-off scores must enroll in remedial courses in order to ensure academic success in future college level English and mathematics courses.

Students may take the placement test twice. (Exceptions: Dental Assisting and Practical Nursing applicants may take the placement test twice each academic year.)

What is Placement Testing

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