Academic Development Program: Frequently Asked Questions

Tennessee Technological University

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I will be required to take the COMPASS Placement test?

• Your acceptance packet from TTU Admissions should include information about requirements that must be met before registration. Information about COMPASS Test requirements and directions for registering for the COMPASS should be included in this packet. Since placement is now made by ACT, any developmental course requirements should already be listed as requirements for registration. [Students are automatically  placed in a developmental class if their ACT English, Math, or Reading  subscore is less than 19. Students who have been placed into developmental classes by ACT scores may take the COMPASS Placement Exam as a challenge to that placement. If you have a GED, you will be required to take the test unless you present current ACT or SAT scores for placement. If your ACT or SAT scores are more than 3 years old by the date of the first day of class, you will be required to test. If you have a high school core course deficiency in English or Math, you will be required to test unless your ACT Composite is 26 or higher. If you are over age 21 you may be required to test. These are Tennessee Board of Regents requirements that affect all TBR schools.
• If you aren't sure if you fall into one of these categories, call Admissions at 931-372-3888 or the Academic Development Program at 931-372-3476.

What if I'm a transfer student?

•  Students transferring college-level classes are required to take COMPASS if they lack college credit in English Composition and/or Mathematics.  English Composition must transfer as English 1010 or English 1020 in order to fulfill the test requirement. Mathematics must transfer as a numbered course, not as an elective, in order to satisfy the testing requirement. Grades for both English and Math must be 'C' or better. 

If I don't get notified, what happens?

• You will be initially placed by valid ACT scores, or 
• If you have a COMPASS test requirement and have not been tested, you will not be allowed to register for classes until the testing requirement has been met.

What is the test like? How long will it take?

• For a description of the COMPASS test: COMPASS Placement Test
• Practice Questions for Math

When is the test given? Where?

• The COMPASS test is given several times before each registration. You may obtain a list of the test dates in your Admissions packet or by calling 931-372-3476. A list of the dates is also available online (see below).
• The COMPASS Placement Test is given in Foster Hall room 414. Check-in for the test is in Foster Hall 407, where your photo ID [driver license] will be checked at the time of payment of the $4.00 testing fee. [The $4 fee covers any part or all of the COMPASS test for students testing for the first time. The retest fee is $20.  Retest is only available for students who have not begun DSP courses. [Fees cover the cost of COMPASS testing units that must be purchased by the Academic Development Program and some of the cost for administration of the test.]
• Registration for COMPASS is done by telephone. You should call the Testing Hotline (931-372-3476) to make an appointment. Registration directions are also given online: Registration Form. For Web-Submit Registration Instructions: Web-Submit Registration Form.

How do I get my scores?

• You will receive a copy of your scores for everything except the essay* as soon as your have completed the test. The scores will be loaded into the University Computer System overnight, so the information will be available to clear your requirements and allow you to register. You will need to have a copy of your scores to show your advisor before you can choose your classes for registration. It is your responsibility to pick up your scores. When you pick them up, there will be an ADP staff member there to answer questions you might have about the Placement Score Report. *The computerized COMPASS Writing Test measures your editing skills. The essay measures your composition skills. Both scores will be used together to determine your writing placement. The essay will weigh heavily in determining your writing placement.

What if I don't think the test scores are right?

• If you don't think your test scores are an accurate reflection of your abilities, you will be given the opportunity to challenge those scores by taking another test. The challenge test for each course is either given on the first day of class or you are instructed on the first day of class about where to go to take the test. It is extremely important that you attend the first class meeting so that you will not miss the opportunity to challenge test.
• You must be registered for the appropriate classes based upon ACT Placement or your COMPASS test scores before you are eligible to take the challenge test.
• For more information, check the ADP area: Writing, Reading, and Mathematics.

If I have a complaint, whom do I talk to?

• If you wish to politely voice a complaint, you may speak with the Testing Coordinator, the Program Coordinator [Ms. Janet Whiteaker] and/or the Assistant Dean for Student Support Services [Mrs. Beth Mannle].
• Remember, you have three chances to prove that you do not need to be in DSP classes.

  Your first chance is your ACT scores. You may take the ACT as many times as you wish before taking COMPASS, but only one complete set of scores will be used to determine testing requirements: the set with the highest composite; or if two sets have the same composite, the set with the most recent test date. Only ACT scores that are available in the university's Student Information System on the COMPASS testing date will be evaluated for COMPASS testing purposes. If you have more than one set of ACT scores, check with Admissions to make sure that they have all been received by the university and have been loaded into SIS. ACT scores received after you have taken the COMPASS may not affect your placement.

  Your second chance is the COMPASS Test. The test is designed to assess your knowledge in the areas of Reading Comprehension, Mathematics, and Writing and to place you in the appropriate classes based upon your current level of skills.

  Your third chance is the challenge test. The challenge test is not another COMPASS. The format and timing are different so that you will have a good chance to prove your skill level.

  If the challenge test indicates that you have been correctly placed by COMPASS, then you must complete the courses into which you tested [with a grade of 'C' or better]. This test will be forwarded to other institutions to which you might apply. If you test into DSP classes at one TBR school, you will be expected to complete the classes, no matter which school you attend.

What college-level classes can I take if I am taking basic/developmental classes?

• If you test into DSP Reading, you must successfully complete ['C' or better] the Reading requirements before taking any college-level courses that require a great deal of reading. Courses that you would not be allowed to take include History, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice.
• If you test into DSP Mathematics, you must successfully complete ['C' or better] the Mathematics requirements before taking any college-level mathematics course.
• If you test into DSP Writing, you must successfully complete ['C' or better] the Writing requirements before taking English 1010.

How is University 1020 different from DSPS0800?

DSPS0800 Learning Strategies is a required course for those admitted students who have academic deficiencies as indicated by their ACT scores or by their scores on the COMPASS Placement Test. This requirement is based upon a Tennessee Board of Regents mandate. As with all DSP classes, graduation credit is not received, but a record of grades for DSP courses taken is included on the college transcript. Satisfactory completion of DSPS0800 waives any requirement for taking UNIV1020, but students may at any time enroll in UNIV1020 and receive elective credit toward graduation. Since TTU no longer offers DSPS0800, the student must satisfactorily complete (grade of 'C' or better) UNIV1020.

University 1020 is a 2-contact-hour, University-required course that gives 1 hour of elective credit toward graduation. Its purpose is to help students adjust to the academic and social environment of the university community. The general approach of the course is to view students as problem solvers; thus, students will learn to solve for themselves the problems they face in college. For this reason, the course has an academic skills component as well as an orientation to the university component and involves both group and individual effort to solve problems faced by college students. Students may voluntarily take UNIV1020 or may be required to do so by the University because they have not demonstrated successful performance in either high school or previous college work or if they are required to take classes in two or more areas of developmental studies.

 Go to TTU Home Page