Washburn is committed to helping new students select the initial courses for which they have the background and skills to be successful. Therefore, entering students without university credit in English and mathematics are required to provide scores for an ACT taken within the past five years or to take the COMPASS Placement Exams. The COMPASS is an untimed computer based examination. There are 3 parts to the exam: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. Ordinarily, students complete all 3 sections. However, individuals needing only to qualify for mathematics course placement may register for only the mathematics portion of the COMPASS. Cost for the COMPASS for Washburn students is $15.00.
The COMPASS is offered several times prior to the beginning of each semester. It is untimed; most students complete the test in between two and three hours. Although ordinarily the COMPASS is taken only once, students are permitted one retake. An individual wishing to repeat the exam must wait 30 days to provide for sufficient opportunity for intervening learning/instruction to occur.
When reporting for the test, individuals must bring a photo ID and pencils. Scratch paper will be provided.
For more information regarding the COMPASS and to see sample questions, visit Test Prep Preview.
Individuals may register and pay for the COMPASS in Morgan 122. View our Testing Schedule for more information.
The table below indicates the ACT or COMPASS scores expected for placement into specific mathematics and English courses:
|
ACT Math Score |
COMPASS Math Score |
Recommended Course |
Prerequisite(s) |
|
0-17 |
0-43 on Pre-Algebra exam |
MA 103 Basic Algebra (3) Note: Does not count toward degree requirements or graduation hours. Prepares student for MA 104.
|
No Algebra prerequisite for this course |
|
18-21 |
44-100 on Pre-Algebra exam OR 0-54 on Algebra exam
|
MA 104 Intermediate Algebra (3) Note: Does not count toward degree requirements or graduation hours. Prepares the student for MA 110 or MA 116
|
No prerequisite for this course. However, MA103 Basic Algebra or appropriate test score is STRONGLY Recommended. |
|
22 or higher |
55-100 on Algebra exam OR 0-30 on College Algebra exam
|
MA 110 Exploring Mathematics (3) or MA 112 Essential Mathematics (3) or MA 116 College Algebra (3) |
C or better in MA104 Intermediate Algebra or appropriate test score
|
|
25 or higher |
31-100 on College Algebra exam OR 0-45 on Trigonometry exam |
MA117 Trigonometry (3) MA123 Pre-Calculus (3) MA140 Intro to Statistics (3) MA141 Applied Calculus I (3) MA145 Math for Decision Making (3) MA148 Mathematics of Finance (3) MA206 Discrete Math for Computing (3)
|
C or better in MA116 C or better inMA116 or 117 C or better in MA110, 116, or 123 C or better in MA116 or 123 C or better in MA116 or 123 C or better in MA116 or 123 PH110 or CM111 and MA116 or 123 or Appropriate Test Score |
|
28 or higher
|
46-100 on Trigonometry exam |
MA 151 Calculus & Analytical Geometry I (5) |
C or better in MA117 Trigonometry, or MA123 Pre-Calculus, or Appropriate Test Score |
|
ACT English Score |
COMPASS English Score
|
Recommended Course |
Prerequisite(s) |
|
0-17 |
0-67 |
EN100 Developmental English (3) Note: Does not count toward degree requirements or graduation hours. Prepares for EN101. |
No prerequisite for this course |
|
18-36 |
68-99 |
EN101 Freshman Composition (3) Note: Required, with a minimum grade of C, for graduation. |
No prerequisite for this course |
|
25+ |
95-99 |
EN102 Freshman English Honors (3) See Honors Program for description |
Scholastic performance, appropriate test score, student interest and motivation |