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Admission > Placement Testing > FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a placement test and what is it used for?

A placement test is designed to measure a person's ability in specific subject areas and to determine the most appropriate course(s) to take. At KCC, we use COMPASS, a computer program, to determine placement in English and Math courses. The system is called COMPASS because it helps discover direction. Its long title is Computerized Adaptive Placement Assessment and Support System. Other college programs use the scores to determine a student's eligibility for a course of studies. For example, the Nursing program uses the reading test score to determine if a candidate has the skills needed to handle the written materials in its courses.

Why is the test on computer?

Computerized testing has many advantages.. There are three obvious benefits for you:

• Convenience. When the test was not computerized, you had to be at KCC on a specified day and hour to take the test. Now, you can come in during any of the days and hours the Learning Assistance Center is open for testing.
• Common Standards. COMPASS will be the test used by all seven of the community colleges in the University of Hawai`i system. The results will be accepted at any of the community colleges.
• Immediate Feedback. The computer can produce results quickly--in many cases as soon as you have finished taking the tests.

How do I go about being tested?

When you are ready to apply to KCC, you can go to the testing center (Iliahi 127) to be tested. The hours for testing are posted at the first-floor entrance door to the Iliahi building and are also published in the Bulletin and the Kapi'o, the KCC newspaper. The packets given new registrants also contain information about the dates and times testing is available.

How much does the test cost?

There is no charge for taking the tests.

How long will the test take?

Allow a minimum of two hours to complete the test.

COMPASS actually administers several groups of tests: one for reading, another for writing, a third for math. The tests are computerized and adaptive. The kinds of problems you will see and how many problems you will work on depend on how you respond. For example, if you answer an item correctly, the program will present other items at a higher level of knowledge or skill. If you answer incorrectly, the items that follow will test you at lower levels of knowledge or skill. If you answer more questions correctly, the program might keep presenting more problems at higher levels.

In other words, different people will receive differing kinds and numbers of items. In math, for example, you could be presented with as few as five or as many as thirty problems.

As a result, the length of time will vary from person to person. In general, the more knowledgeable you are, the more items will be presented and the longer the test will take. The time for EACH kind of test--reading, writing, math--ranges from 25 to 90 minutes. The average total time is around 90 minutes.

What do I need to bring with me to take the test?

You need an identification card with your picture on it. You will also need something to verify your social security number. If, for example, you have a Hawaii State Driver's License, it will have both your picture and social security number on it.

If you are doing a writing sample, bring pens. You will also need pencils and an eraser to do scratch work for the math test. Some of the tests may have a multiple-choice part that is handled on "bubble-in" computer forms, so bring No. 2 pencils.

DO NOT bring notes, books, or a calculator.

Can I use a calculator?

You are not allowed to use a calculator for the Math Placement Test, so it is very important that you review your basic arithmetic. The computer will start testing you for your knowledge of basic arithmetic, and will go up to higher levels of math if you demonstrate that you know the material in each level. When you start missing several problems in a particular level, the computer will determine your level and will not give you any higher level problems. If you know calculus, but have forgotten your algebra, you may be placed at the pre-algebra level, so it is very important that you review all the math you learned in high school.

Must I be tested on every section?

No. If all you require is a Math or an English placement, then inform the test coordinator.

Do I have to take all sections in one day?

No. It is not necessary to take all sections in one day. If your schedule does not permit you the suggested time needed, then inform the test coordinator that you are taking only one of the sections and plan to return on another day to take the remainder of the test.

How can I prepare for the test?

A placement test like COMPASS evaluates the knowledge and skills you ALREADY possess. The knowledge and skills should have been acquired over a long period of time. The skills cannot be learned overnight.

Besides, you want the results to honestly reflect your level of knowledge and ability at the time you take the test. If the test result places you in a course that requires knowledge and skills you do not truly have, you will probably end up performing poorly in that course.

If your reading comprehension level is fairly low, there is little you can do to boost it in a few days or even a few weeks before taking the test. If you couldn't handle algebra very well in high school or haven't used much higher level math in the last five years, you probably can't "cram" for this "exam."

On the other hand, if you are placed in too low a level course, you will be wasting your time. There are a few things you can do to help you achieve optimum results:

Get a good night's rest before taking the tests.

Review relevant materials. For example, books can help you review topics in math--like algebra or handling fractions and decimals.

Become familiar with or review multiple-choice test-taking strategies so that you will be familiar with the format and procedures. Again, there are books that cover this subject--SAT preparation books, for example.

Kapi'olani Community College offers workshops that cover basic test preparation.

Go to How to Prepare for the Placement Testing for more information.

How and when do I get the results?

You can get the results a few minutes after you have completed the test. Ask the monitor on duty.

Can I retake the test? When? How often?

You can retake the test 120 days after the last time you took the test. However, you cannot take the test more than twice within a 6-month period. Please consult a counselor if you have extenuating circumstances concerning retaking the test.

Simply retaking the test without doing anything else to develop your knowledge or skills usually does not improve your score.

Once you enroll in a Math or an English course, you may not take the placement test for Math, Reading, or Writing again.

Your placement test result is valid for two years.

Is the test available in alternate formats to accommodate those with handicaps?

The test itself is not available in different formats, but accommodations can be made for administering the test. Contact the Special Student Services Office at 734.9552 or before you intend to take the test so special arrangements for administration can be set up.