COMPASS Placement Test Review Packet - Lone Star College

COMPASS Placement Test Review Packet

For preparing to take the COMPASS Writing

Placement Test

(Funded through the Gulf-Coast PASS Grant)

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Table of Contents

The COMPASS Writing Test

A Brief Description

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Test Taking Strategies

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Additional Help for the Compass Writing Placement Test

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Writing--Part 1: Revising and Editing (The Objective Portion)

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List of skills

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Practice Essay 1 (and answers)

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Practice Essay 2 (and answers)

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Writing--Part 2: Writing the Essay

Scoring Criteria and Essay Writing Tips

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Scoring Rubric for the Compass Essay

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How to Write a Successful Essay

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Practice Prompts

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Appendices: Writing Skills Practice

Appendix A: Skills Practice: Fragments, Run-ons, and Comma Splices

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Appendix B: Skills Practice: Verbs

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Appendix C: Skills Practice: Pronouns

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Appendix D: Skills Practice: Punctuation and Mechanics

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Appendix E: Skills Practice: Commonly Confused Words

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Appendix F: Skills Practice: Transitional Devices

108

Appendix G: Skills Practice: Shifts

116

Appendix H: Skills Practice: Additional Resources for Practice

123

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The COMPASS Writing Test: A Brief Description

The COMPASS Writing Placement test consists of two sections: a multiple choice section that tests students' grammar and editing skills, and an essay situation that requires students to write a multi-paragraph essay. Both sections are UNTIMED.

Section 1: Writing Skills Placement Test. The first section consists of several multiple choice questions that requires students to find and correct errors in essays in the areas of usage and mechanics, including basic grammar, punctuation and sentence structure, and rhetorical skills, including strategy, organization and style. It is a self-adjusting, multiple choice test that is taken at the computer. The answer to your current question will determine the next question; it will stop once it has determined your level. Consequently the test is untimed and has a different number of questions for each student. It also means that you will see questions that you don't know, because the test will ask you more and more difficult questions until it has found something that you don't know. Just do your best you can for each question the test presents to you. Listed below are the categories of errors that the test covers:

1. Punctuation (commas, apostrophes, end punctuation) 2. Spelling (commonly confused words) 3. Capitalization 4. Usage (word choice, word form) 5. Verb formation/agreement 6. Relationships of clauses (including the identification of fragments, run-ons, and comma

splices) 7. Shifts in construction (including improperly formed compound, complex, and compound-

complex sentences) 8. Organization and supporting details (including use of transitional devices)

Section 2: The Essay. The COMPASS e-Write test consists of one writing prompt that defines an issue or problem and describes two points of view on that issue. Students are asked to respond to a question about their position on the issue described in the prompt. The essay will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Focus--consistency and clarity in identifying and maintaining the main idea or point of view

Content--extent to which the topic is addressed by the development of ideas and the specificity of details and examples

Organization--unity and coherence achieved through logical sequence of ideas Style--how effectively the chosen language enhances the writer's purpose Conventions--control of mechanics in grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation.

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Test-Taking Strategies

1. Take the Placement Test Seriously

Giving your best during the test can save you several semesters of math, reading, and writing classes, which can save you time and money. What you don't know, you don't know. That's fine. But if you know something, make sure you show it on the test so that you are placed into the appropriate class for your skill level.

2. Prepare For the Test

It is important that you review your knowledge before you take the test, particularly if you have not been in school for many years. Go over the following parts in this review packet to refresh your memory about the things you once knew. You may also choose to take one of the COMPASS review sessions offered by the SEA Center (in the Learning Center.) This packet is not designed to help you learn material that you never knew. For that you should take a class.

It is equally important, however, that you are physically prepared for the test. Be sure to get enough sleep the night before, and eat something nutritious before arriving for the test. Don't consume anything with caffeine or a lot of sugar right before the test. Caffeine might make you feel more jittery and less patient, causing you to skip important steps. Too much sugar will give you a short energy boost followed by a sense of fatigue. Drink water or tea instead.

3. Take Your Time

The Compass Test is not timed, which means that you can take as much time as you need. Make use of that! Read the questions carefully, think about them, do your work on paper, and then choose an answer. Your score does not depend on how long you take for each question. Your score only depends on whether you choose the right answer.

4. Read the Questions Carefully

Don't assume anything. Follow the instructions of the question exactly. Read all the details very carefully. A simple `not' can change everything around. It helps to copy the question onto paper and underline the important information or rewrite it in your own words.

5. Take a Break

You can take a break whenever you like! Just go to the testing supervisor, and s/he will save your work. You can continue when you come back. You can even come back the next day. This is very important because in order to do well on the test you need to concentrate. So if you need to use the restroom, go. If you are thirsty or hungry, go drink and eat. If you are tired, get up and take a walk or go home and come back the next day.

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Additional Resources for the COMPASS Placement Test

Succeeding on the COMPASS Writing Placement Test can make a big difference in your college career. Placing as high as you can will help you save time and money. You may want to use some of the following resources BEFORE you take the placement test.

Official Practice Questions (including essay topic)

The following link provides official practice questions created by the producer of the exam.

Practice Exercises for Part 1: Writing Skills

The following link provides students with REALISTIC practice passages that are very similar to the actual writing skills test on the COMPASS. Students get immediate feedback after completing the practices and have an opportunity to re-do all missed questions.

COMPASS Writing Placement Test Live Review Sessions

Lone Star College--North Harris offers instructor-led review sessions for all students and prospective students. These sessions prepare students for both the grammar portion and the essay portion of the exam. For more information, contact the LSC Sea Center (see contact information below). For the dates, times, and locations of the review sessions, go to the following link:

Tutorial Assistance at Lone Star College--North Harris

As you work through the practice problems in this packet, you may have some questions. To get help with any topic related to writing or to have a professional review of your practice essay, go to the following link: . You may also call (281) 618-7190, or come by the SEA Center, located in the Academic Building, room 200 (the Learning Center) to schedule an appointment.

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