Who Takes the Assessment Test?  Math and English Testing

Most students need to take the assessment test.  Assessment is required of all students planning to complete a degree, planning to take a math, English, or a “W” course (writing skills required), or planning to take courses requiring math or English prerequisites.  See the schedule and come to one of the ASSET or COMPASS sessions. If you have taken the SAT or ACT tests within the last three years, no additional assessment is required; however students are encouraged to take the ASSET or COMPASS shortly before enrollment to provide for more accurate assessment.

Who Does Not Take the Assessment Test? 

We recommend the COMPASS test for placement because for most students it gives the most accurate placement. Students who are not comfortable taking a test on the computer may contact the Testing Center to schedule a paper and pencil test, the ASSET.

If you have taken the SAT test before March 2005 (when the SAT test was changed) or the ACT test, you may use these for placement as an alternative to the COMPASS. In that case we encourage you to study the SAT and ACT placement chart linked below and consider whether the Math and English classes it places you in are at an appropriate level for you. Many students take the COMPASS test in addition to the SAT or ACT in order to get the best placement possible.

Students who have taken the TOEFL test, may use this for English placement. They will still need the COMPASS test for math placement.

• All test scores need to be within three years to be valid.
• Please submit your official test scores to the Admissions Office (unless you took the COMPASS or ASSET at Shoreline CC).    more >

SAT only: due to significant changes in the test, only test scores before March 2005 are used.

Conversion charts (PDFs) for SAT/ACT/TOEFL English, SAT/ACT math,
Placement charts for ASSET/COMPASS English, and ASSET/COMPASS math.

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Revised 5/2005 Assessment