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The Purpose of Placement Exams
CUNY requires its students to be proficient in reading, writing and mathematics. To this end, it assesses the skills levels of applicants to its colleges as part of the admissions process. CUNY offers a wide array of instruction to those students who need some assistance in one or more skills. Through this program of assessment and instruction, the University seeks to insure that students have the basic skills they will need to do well in their college courses.
What are the CUNY/ACT Basic Skills Tests in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics?
Reading . The COMPASS Reading Test is an un-timed, multiple-choice, computer-based test of reading.
Writing. The CUNY/ACT Writing Sample is a 60-minute essay test in which students are asked to respond to a question that they see for the first time when they sit for the test.
Mathematics. The COMPASS Mathematics Test is an untimed, multiple-choice, computer-based test composed of four sections: numerical skills/pre-algebra, algebra, college algebra, and trigonometry.
What skills do each of the tests measure?
The COMPASS Reading Test measures reading comprehension. You will be given several readings that may be practical or drawn from prose fiction, the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences. Questions about the readings will ask you to refer to what is explicitly stated and to determine the meaning of words through context. They will also ask you to reason to determine implicit meanings, to draw conclusions, and to make comparisons and generalizations. The readings are like those commonly assigned in first-year courses in college. For each passage you will be asked a set of multiple-choice questions. Sample passages and questions are included below.
The Writing Sample assesses your writing skills based on a sample of your writing. Students are given a choice of two questions, and are asked to write an organized, focused essay. The essay questions are similar to one another in the following way: each one describes a choice that a person in a position of authority must make between two alternatives. The writer is asked to advise the authority on the best choice and explain why the group should agree with the writer's position. The writing sample is scored by two trained readers, using a six-point scale. A sample of the writing assignment (along with the scoring guide and sample papers for each score point) is included in this booklet, along with some tips on taking the Writing Sample Test prepared by CUNY writing faculty.
The COMPASS Mathematics Test is designed to measure students' knowledge of a number of topics in mathematics. The test is organized into four sections: numerical skills/pre-algebra, algebra, college algebra, and trigonometry. Numerical skills/pre-algebra questions range from basic math concepts and skills (integers, fractions, and decimals) to the knowledge and skills that are required in an entry-level algebra course (absolute values, percentages, and exponents). The algebra items are questions from elementary and intermediate algebra (equations, polynomials, formula manipulations, and algebraic expressions). The college algebra section includes questions that measure skills required to perform operations with functions, exponents, matrices, and factorials. The trigonometry section addresses topics such as trigonometric functions and identities, right-triangle trigonometry, and graphs of trigonometric functions.
Placement into CUNY's required basic math courses is based on results of the numerical skills/pre-algebra and algebra sections. The test covers progressively advanced topics with placement into more advanced mathematics or mathematics-related courses based on results of the last two sections of the test.
Assessment Testing and Remedial Courses
Exit from Remedial and ESL Course Sequences
All students registered in their college's top-level course in Reading, Writing, or ESL will take the test(s) at the end of the semester. Students who do not pass the test(s) will not be able to begin college composition (Freshman English) until they pass. Likewise, no student may be placed in a college-level mathematics course who has not passed or been exempted from the COMPASS Mathematics Test.
Faculty at each college decide the requirements for passing each top-level remedial, developmental, or ESL course. Sometimes, passage of the skills test is required to pass the course; sometimes it is not. In any case, the University expects that students who pass the reading and writing tests will move directly to College Composition I at their next registration.
Retesting
Generally, students must receive at least 20 hours of instruction between retests. They may not be retested more than two times during a semester. Specific rules apply for workshops and summer and winter immersion.
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Exemptions
You can demonstrate that you meet the University's skills requirements based on your SAT I, ACT, or NY State Regents test scores. Otherwise, you may take the appropriate assessment test offered at the testing center at CUNY colleges.
Reading and Writing
Students are considered proficient in reading and writing if they can document any one of the following:
- SAT I verbal score of 480 or better or critical reading score of 480 or better
- ACT English score of 20 or better
- N.Y. State English Regents score of 75 or higher
- Students with 45 or more credits are considered skills proficient; they do not have to document proficiency on the basis of SAT I, ACT, Regents or CUNY assessment tests to be admitted to a CUNY bachelor's program. However, ESL students are asked by their college to take a placement test in reading and writing to assess their English language skills.
Mathematics
Entering students are considered proficient in mathematics if they can document any one of the following:
- SAT I math score of 480 or better
- ACT math score of 20 or better
- N.Y. State Regents score of 75 or higher in one of the following: Math A, Math B, Sequential II or Sequential III
- Students with 45 or more credits are considered skills proficient; they do not have to document proficiency on the basis of SAT I, ACT, Regents or CUNY assessment tests to be admitted to a CUNY bachelor's program. However, ESL students are asked by their college to take a placement test in reading and writing to assess their English language skills.
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How to register for a placement/exit exam
Incoming students who apply via online or through the mail to UAPC, will receive a testing appointment from UAPC once their application has been processed. A student may only test at one college. The scores will be distributed to all CUNY colleges. If a student applies directly to the Admissions Office, the student will be given an appointment at the time that they apply. If you are unable to attend your scheduled appointment, please contact the Testing Office as soon as possible.
Continuing students who are currently in a remedial course will receive their testing appointment from their professor, or the department. Continuing students who are taking a writing workshop will be assigned a retest date. Continuing students who are taking a reading or math workshop must contact the Computerized Testing Center once they have completed 15hrs. of the workshop to schedule their test.
Passing Scores
Reading : a scaled score of 70 or more.
Writing Sample: a total score of 7 or more.
Mathematics: scaled scores of 30 or more on each of the first two sections of the test: numerical skills/pre-algebra and algebra. Some colleges require students to achieve higher scores before they can register for credit-bearing mathematics courses.
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How to obtain your score
Incoming students will receive their score at the time of registration from the Academic Advisor. Students in remedial courses will receive their score from their professor at the end of the semester. Students in a workshop may come to the Testing Office 10 business days after they have taken the exam. Note: We are not permitted to give scores over the phone. You must show photo ID in order to receive your scores.
Links to ACT/COMPASS practice pages
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