Admission Testing

COMPASS® placement test helps you succeed

The COMPASS placement test is designed to help determine which classes you should take as you start your studies at Cincinnati State. It accurately places you into reading, writing, and math classes that are best suited for your abilities. The placement test is there to help ensure your success; it is not timed and it is not a pass/fail test.  There is also a short keyboarding test.

Testing details

COMPASS testing is conducted in the Testing Center, room 176 of the Main Building. For your convenience, students are individually tested on a drop-in basis. no reservation is required, and there is no charge for the test however  campus parking is $5. Please be sure to bring photo ID. Allow approximately 11⁄2 hours for testing within the following scheduled hours:

Monday–Thursday 8 am– 8 pm                 Friday 8 am– 4:30 pm
(arrive no later than 6 pm)                         (arrive no later than 2 pm)

First Saturday (every month), and every Saturday in May and June
8 am–12 noon
(arrive no later than 9:15 am)

The Testing Center is closed on all college holidays. See academic calendar.

Middletown Testing

Testing is now available in Middletown the first and third Wednesday of each month.  The temporary testing site is on the third floor,
Middletown City Building
1 Donham Plaza
Middletown, OH 45042

Arrive between 9:00 am and 11:00 am.  The Testing Center is open until 1:00 pm.

Prepare for the COMPASS test

It is important to prepare for the test to ensure that you are placed in the right program sequence. This will help minimize the cost of your education in terms of time and money. You can prepare for the test by visiting the COMPASS website for sample questions. You may also find additional help with the math portion of the test at www.mathpower.com.  To practice your typing skills go to play.typeracer.com.

Request to waive the COMPASS test

If you have successfully completed college level courses in mathematics, writing, or reading, you may submit a test waiver request. Cincinnati State does not accept SAT scores in place of the COMPASS test.  If you have taken the ACT achievement test within the last two years, you may be exempt from placement testing.  Submit a copy of your ACT scores to the Office of Admission via www.ACTstudent.org.

Remote testing

If you do not live in the Greater Cincinnati area and need to take the COMPASS placement test to complete your application process, please contact the COMPASS lab at (513) 569-1569 to arrange remote testing.

Questions?

Please contact the COMPASS testing lab at (513) 569-1569.