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WHAT'S ON
COMPASS? |
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In order to adequately understand the COMPASS
placement test, you first need to realize that the test is computerized,
then learn how to navigate the test. Next, you need to grasp the way
COMPASS presents its questions by viewing sample questions. Finally, you
need to recognize the knowledge that COMPASS will require for reading,
writing/English, and math by viewing . |
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NAVIGATING COMPASS |
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SAMPLE QUESTIONS |
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DETAILED KNOWLEDGE COVERED IN TEST |
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MATH |
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numerical
skills/pre-algebra |
- Basic Operations with
Integers
- Basic Operations with
Fractions
- Basic Operation with Decimals
- Exponents, Square Roots,
and Scientific Notation
- Ratios & Proportions
- Percentages
- Averages (Means, Medians
& Modes)
- Conversions between Fractions
and Decimals
- Multiples and Factors
of Integers
- Absolute Values of Numbers
- Range
- Order Concepts (greater
than/less than)
- Estimation Skills
- Number Theory
- Counting Problems and
Simple Probability
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ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA |
- Substituting Values into
Algebraic Expressions
- Setting Up Equations for
Given Situations
- Factoring of Polynomials
- Basic Operations with
Polynomials
- Formula Manipulation and
Field Axioms
- Solving Polynomial Equations
by Factoring
- Linear Inequalities in
One Variable
- Exponents and Radicals
- Linear Equations in One
Variable (Using Integers, Fractions, and Decimals as Coefficients)
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intermediate algebra |
- Exponents and Radicals
- Rational Expressions
- Quadratic Formulas
- Systems of Linear Equations
in Two Variables
- Absolute Value Equations
and Inequalities
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COLLEGE ALGEBRA |
- Matrices (Basic Operations,
Equations, and Determinants)
- Exponents
- Functions
- Systems of Linear Equations
in Three or More Variables
- Complex Numbers
- Logic and Proof Techniques
- Factorials
- Roots of Polynomials
- Arithmetic and Geometric
Sequences and Series
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WRITING/ENGLISH
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breaks in thought |
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at the end
of a sentence (period, exclamation point, question mark)
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between clauses
of compound sentences when conjunction is omitted or when clauses contain
commas
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before a conjunctive
adverb joining clauses of a compound sentence
- involving parenthetical
elements (comma, dash, parentheses)<
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by avoiding ambiguity
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by indicating
apposition
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by indicating possessives
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with items in a series
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involving
simple phrases and clauses in a series
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involving
unequivocally restrictive/nonrestrictive clauses and phrases
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unnecessary punctuation |
- between subject and predicate
- between verb and object
- between adjective and
noun
- between preposition and
object
- between noun and preposition
- between correlatives
- between two coordinate
elements
- between the intensive
and the antecedent
- within series already
linked by conjunctions
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SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT |
- adjectives and adverbs
with their corresponding nouns and verbs
- predicate with subject
in sentences beginning with there or where
- predicate with subjects
of varying complexity (including compound subjects, collective nouns)
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VERBS |
- tenses of regular and
irregular verbs
- compound tenses
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PRONOUNS |
- using the appropriate
case of a pronoun
- using the appropriate
comparative or superlative form depending on the context
- observing usage conventions/using
the idioms of standard English
- forming comparatives and
superlatives of adjectives and adverbs
- using the proper form
of possessives and distinguishing them from adverbs (there) and contractions
(it's)
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CLAUSES |
- avoiding comma splices
- avoiding run-on sentences
- avoiding sentence fragments
(except those rhetorically appropriate in exclamations, dialogues, etc.)
- avoiding sentence fragments
(except those rhetorically appropriate in exclamations, dialogues, etc.)
- avoiding faulty subordination
and coordination
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MODIFIERS |
- constructing sentences
so that antecedents are clear and unambiguous
- placing modifiers so that
they modify the appropriate element
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UNNECESSARY SHIFTS IN CONSTRUCTION |
- person
- tense
- number
- mood
- voice
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audience and purpose |
- Items of this type emphasize
rhetorical strategies directed at particular readers, occasions, and
assignments and also specify a particular rhetorical purpose (e.g.,
"If the writer had been assigned to write a 200-word essay for an academic
history journal, would this essay fulfill the assignment?").
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supporting material |
- Items of this type emphasize
strengthening compositions by adding appropriate supporting facts and
details. The items are dependent on the context of the passage
and are not answerable simply on the basis of the information provided
in the stem. The stem specifies the material being supported (e.g.,
an assertion or a description) and the primary desired effect.
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openings, transitions, and closings |
- selecting an effective
statement relative to the essay as a whole
- selecting an effective
statement relative to a specific paragraph or paragraphs
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logical order |
- beginning a paragraph
in the appropriate place
- placing sentences in
a logical location
- choosing the appropriate
transitional word or phrase
- ordering sentences or
phrases in a logical way
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relevancy |
- omitting irrelevant
material (or retaining relevant material)
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EDITING AND REVISING |
- avoiding wordiness
- avoiding redundancy
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CHOOSING WORDS TO FIT MEANING AND
FUNCTION |
- choosing words and images
that are fresh; recognizing and avoiding clichés
- avoiding silly comparisons
or expressions
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READING
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-
inferring
the main idea of a passage containing more than one paragraph
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recognizing
the explicitly stated main idea of a passage containing more than one
paragraph
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recognizing
the explicitly stated main idea of a paragraph
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inferring
the main idea of a paragraph
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showing
how details are related to the main idea
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locating
explicit information in a passage that answers the questions who,
what, when, where, why, and how
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recognizing
sequential relationships
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inferring
sequence
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inferring
cause and effect relationships
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recognizing
cause and effect relationships
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recognizing
comparative relationships (greater than, less than, etc.)
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drawing
conclusions from the facts given
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recognizing
explicit evidence presented in support of a claim
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making appropriate
generalizations
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recognizing
stated assumptions
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recognizing
logical fallacies
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recognizing
stereotype
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recognizing
various points of view
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recognizing
the scope of application of hypotheses, explanations, or conclusions
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judging
the relevance and appropriate application of new information
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identifying
the structure of an argument
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recognizing
relevant distinctions
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distinguishing
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