What Must I Do Before Taking Placement Tests?
New students must complete an Admission Form prior to taking Reading, Writing and Math Placement Tests.

What Do I Need to Bring?
Photo identification is required. No calculators are permitted. There are no fees.

What Do the Tests Look Like?
Reading and Math are only given in a computerized (COMPASS) multiple-choice format. For Writing, you may choose between computer and paper/pencil (ASSET) testing. ESL students must take COMPASS/ESL for Reading and Writing. For placement into English composition, a Writing Placement Essay may be required. Students with documented disabilities can request a paper/pencil test for Reading, Writing and Math.

What Can I Study Before I Complete the Tests?
These tests are designed for assessing current skill levels for placement in appropriate courses. Studying is not recommended, but the following web site can provide sample COMPASS questions: www.act.org/compass/sample/

How Many Times Can I Take the Tests?
The Reading Placement Test may be taken two times in a one-year period. The Writing Placement Test may be taken two times in the first one-year period. The highest Reading and Writing scores are used to determine placement. The Math Placement Test may be taken two times in the first one-year period and the most recent score is used to determine placement. There is no limit on the number of times a student can complete a Writing Placement Essay.

How Long Will it Take to Complete the Tests?
The tests are not timed, but allow at least 30 minutes per test. Results are given to the student immediately after testing, except for the Writing Placement Essay.

How long are my scores valid?
Scores that meet the Reading Competency Requirement are valid forever. All other Reading scores and Math scores are valid for one year. Writing Placement test and Writing Placement Essay scores that place students into English 1101 are valid for a two-year period. All other Writing Placement test and Writing Placement Essay scores are valid for one year.

Where Do I Go for Placement Testing?
Students may take tests on a walk-in basis in the Testing Lab on campus in Glen Ellyn, or at one of the college’s off-campus centers. For hours, visit www.cod.edu/testing/

On-Campus Placement Testing
Berg Instructional Center (IC), Room 100
Testing Lab: (630) 942-2575

Off-Campus Placement Testing
Addison Regional Center:
(630) 942-4600
Bloomingdale Center for Independent Learning:
(630) 942-4900
Naperville Center for Independent Learning:
(630) 942-4750
Westmont Center for Independent Learning:
(630) 942-4850

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Reading Placement Testing

The Reading Placement Test is a mandatory placement exam. Students who accumulate or exceed six credit hours of college-level courses must take the Reading Placement Test. Courses exempt from the six credit hours are: C.O.D. courses numbered below 1000 (zero-level courses); Older Adult Institute (OAI) courses; and Activity/Studio courses. (Obtain a complete list of these courses from Counseling and Advising Services in the Student Resource Center (SRC), Room 2044.)

Students are not required to take the Reading Placement Test if they have one of the following:

College credit totaling 30 semester hours with at least a “C” average

ACT composite score of 20. Proof of score must be provided.
 
SAT verbal/critical reading score of 500. Proof of score must be provided.
 
A score of 550 paper/pencil, 213 computer-based, or 79 Internet-based on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Proof of score must be provided.

The Reading Competency Requirement helps identify students not yet prepared to read most college-level texts. Test scores are used to determine readiness for college-level reading.

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Writing Placement Testing

The Writing Placement Test is a mandatory placement exam. Both new and returning students who intend to enroll in English 1101, Composition, are required to take this test to determine preparation for entry into an English composition course. Eligibility for English 1101 also requires evidence of having met the Reading Competency Requirement. Students who score below the cut-off for English 1101 must complete a Writing Placement Essay to determine their placement in either English 1101 or the appropriate developmental writing course.

Math Placement Testing

Students who intend to enroll in Mathematics 0482, 1218, 1220, 1428, 1431, 1432, 2134 or 2231 as their first math course at College of DuPage are required to take a Math Placement Test before enrolling. This test is one component of placement in an appropriate math course. Verification of successful completion of any prerequisite courses is the second component. (Prerequisites are listed under individual courses in the mathematics section of the college Catalog.)

For more placement testing information, contact the Assessment and Testing Office in the Berg Instructional Center (IC), Room 150, at (630) 942-2401 or e-mail Assessment and Testing.

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