Math Assessment at Santa Monica College
The Math Assessment is a computerized adaptive test.  "Adaptive" means that your test will begin with questions from the elementary algebra (Algebra 1 in high school) level.  If you answer questions correctly, you will be given more challenging questions to answer.  If you answer questions incorrectly, the difficulty level will decrease. 

The COMPASS Math Assessment is not a timed test. You can spend as much time as you need.  It is to your advantage to work out problems on scratch paper before entering answers.  Generally you have no more than 12 - 15 questions to answer so you need to work carefully to maximize your score.

Which Practice Test Should I Take?

 

Practice Tests
Practice tests are not exact copies of the Math Assessment but aim to give you an idea of the skills level you need to qualify for various courses.

• Arithmetic and Elementary Algebra Sample Questions
  These questions cover basic arithmetic and elementary algebra skills.  This test is used with permission from Santa Fe Community College, Gainesville, Florida.
   
• COMPASS Self-Assessment Modules
  This is a commercial website which provides several modules to check students' skills in arithmetic, prealgebra and algebra.  Upon completing a module, click on "Evaluate" at the bootom of the page to check your score.
   

  	Arithmetic Prealgebra Modules	Algebra Modules
  	Averages and Rounding Basic Operations Exponents Fractions and Square Roots Graphs Percents and Ratios	Basic Algebra Intermediate Math Advanced Math

   

• On-Line COMPASS ALGEBRA
  This practice test gives you an idea of the algebra you need to know to place in Math 20 (Intermediate Algebra) or above.  It is not necessary to enter your personal information to take this sample test.  Simply click on "Start Test" and begin to answer the questions.  When you have completed the practice test, click on "End Test and View Score".  This will enable you to see the questions you skipped or answered incorrectly.  Right-clicking on this page should provide a menu that enables you to print the missed questions together with the correct answers.  If you scored less than 36 correct answers and wish to place in a college level course, you should review the problems you answered incorrectly.  You will need to determine which kinds of problems gave you difficulty.  You may wish to use some of the websites listed below for review.
   

• On-Line COMPASS Geometry
  This 60 question practice test gives you an idea of the geometric principles you need to know to place in Math 2 (Precalculus) or above.  It is not necessary to enter your personal information to take this sample test.  Simply click on "Start Test" and begin to answer the questions.  When you have completed the practice test, click on "End Test and View Score".  This will enable you to see the questions you skipped or answered incorrectly.  Right-clicking on this page should provide a menu that enables you to print the missed questions together with the correct answers.  A score of 42 correct (70%) is a minimum performance level if you plan to be successful in Math 2 and Math 7.

  
   

• On-Line COMPASS TRIGONOMETRY
  This 25 question practice test gives you an idea of the trigonometry you need to know to place in Math 7 (Calculus 1) or above.  It is not necessary to enter your personal information to take this sample test.  Simply click on "Start Test" and begin to answer the questions.  When you have completed the practice test, click on "End Test and View Score".  This will enable you to see the questions you skipped or answered incorrectly.  Right-clicking on this page should provide a menu that enables you to print the missed questions together with the correct answers. 
   

The MDTP On-line Multiple Choice Tests were designed to help individual students review their readiness for certain mathematics courses.  The MDTP tests may be useful in preparing for placement test used by some California colleges and universities.  The two following tests are used with the permission from California Stat University / University of California Mathematics Diagnostic Testing Project - MDTP.

• MDTP On-Line PRECALCULUS (Math 2) READINESS
  This test, officially called Mathematical Analysis Readiness Test, should be taken prior to courses called trigonometry, precalculus or math anaylsis.  The test assumes two years of algebra and a year of geometry  and has significant geometry content.  It is a sample of the questions a student hoping to qualify for Math 2, Precalculus, should be able to answer. 
   
• MDTP On-Line CALCULUS 1 (Math 7) READINESS
  This test is a sample of the questions a student hoping to qualify for Math 7, Calculus 1, should be able to answer. 
   

Tutorials

• The Math Page
  This website provides a comprehensive review of arithmetic, algebra (both elementary and intermediate) and geometry as well as a review of key topics in trigonometry, precalculus and first semester calculus.
   
• Math.com
  This sites review very basic information  for arithmetic, pre-algebra, algebra, geometry and trigonometry.