MVCC Placement Testing
To determine appropriate college courses, MVCC uses a placement test. This test includes the ACT/COMPASS™ to assess skills in reading and mathematics, along with a writing sample to assess skills in writing. The placement test takes two to three hours to complete. The test is not used as a basis for admission to MVCC. If you have any questions please e-mail David Yahnke, Placement Coordinator: dyahnke@mvcc.edu or call: 315-731-5802.
The Utica campus provides testing sessions available twice daily, Monday through Thursday at 9:00 AM and at 1:00 PM. We also provide weekend test sessions. To schedule for one of these test sessions please go to the link below. Our Placement Test Center is located in Payne Hall, Room 104A. Please bring a driver´s license, State or other photo ID.
English is not my native language. Do I have to take an ESL test?
It depends. First take the MVCC placement test writing sample. All students must take this test. English faculty will read your writing sample. If they determine that you need to take ESL, you will also need to take an ESL test to find out what level and which courses are best for you. If you need ESL, you will receive a letter telling you what to do.
To make an appointment for your writing sample, click on Schedule for a Placement Test , or call 315-731-5802.
I have received a letter telling me that I need an ESL test. What should I do?
To make an appointment for your test, you can call 315-731-5802, or click on English as a Second Language (ESL) Placement Test.
Once you have taken your ESL placement test, you will then be able to meet with an ESL advisor to plan your course of study and register for your classes.
Individuals with documented learning or other disabilities may request any of the following accommodations upon arrival for placement testing: extended time, reader, word processor, multiple testing sessions. Calculators are available to all students. In addition, all individuals with disabilities will be required to provide documentation to the disability services provider on the appropriate campus, although testing can occur prior to the provision of this documentation. Contact the Utica Campus office at 315-792-5413 or 315-731-5702 or the Rome Campus office at 315-334-7718 for more information.
The COMPASS test is an adaptive computerized testing program. This means that the test is taken on a computer and "adapts" to the student′s ability to answer the questions. Most students will take 1.5-2 hours to complete the test. We recommend that you allow 3 hours when you schedule a testing appointment. However, the test is un-timed.
The test is always proctored in a secure and quiet testing environment, usually on campus, not on a home computer. If you live a distance from campus, our Placement Testing office can help you make special arrangements to take the test at a licensed test center closer to your home city.
All students who are admitted into a degree or certificate program must take the COMPASS test. The test scores help you and your advisors determine the best courses for you to take during your first semester.
If you are transferring from another college, you may receive notification from the MVCC admissions office that you have been exempted from the reading, writing, and/or math tests depending upon your credit evaluation.
You will be taking three sections of the COMPASS placement test: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. The reading test measures comprehension. The writing section measures your skills in grammar and punctuation. The mathematics test includes basic arithmetic through algebra and more advanced mathematics.
Most students apply to MVCC and are accepted into a program before taking the placement test. This will ensure your smooth transition to the next steps of advising and scheduling your courses. However, we do not require that you have applied before you take the COMPASS test. If you take the COMPASS placement test first, your very next step is an application for admission. You will not be able to schedule classes until you are accepted by Admissions.
MVCC also offers COMPASS placement testing to students who are not applying to an MVCC program, but wish only to take a Math or English course at MVCC.
There is a tutorial at the start of the test that shows you how to navigate using a computer mouse. If you find that the use of the mouse is too intimidating or unfamiliar, even after the tutorial, let your test proctor know, and we will discuss alternatives with you.
You are encouraged to look over a sample test so you know what to expect:
However, you are not expected to learn anything new for the COMPASS placement test. It is designed to give your advisor a current assessment of your basic skills.
It is not necessary for you to come to MVCC′s Utica or Rome campus to take the COMPASS test. If you are unable to travel to campus, call us at 315-731-5802 to possibly arrange testing at a licensed test center closer to your home. Some sites may charge a fee for COMPASS testing.
- Photo identification
- Your Social Security card
Students must make an appointment for placement testing. Schedule via the web or call 731-5802 to schedule your testing session.
If you have a documented learning or other disability that may require testing accommodations, you should identify these needs to the testing proctor when you arrive to take your test. You will also be required to contact the disability services provider on the appropriate campus to discuss disability-related services and documentation requirements. Utica campus students should call 315-792-5413 or 315-731-5702. Rome campus students should call 315-334-7718.
Your math and reading results will be ready immediately. It may take a few more days for us to evaluate your writing sample.
In most cases, you will schedule an advising appointment for the week following the test. At that meeting, an academic advisor will discuss with you your plans and course placement. You will schedule your classes at that time.
Students are permitted to use an online calculator when completing the COMPASS mathematics placement test. Because of the difficulty of verifying whether calculators meet Compass guidelines, students may NOT bring their own calculators into the test.
If I don´t like my results, may I retake the placement test? Yes… You may retake the test a maximum of one time per semester.
