GENERAL TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES

ASSET/COMPASS consists of tests in the areas of English, reading and mathematics. Each of these tests contains multiple-choice questions that offer answer choices from which you are to choose the ?correct?, or ?best? answer. CELSA questions have four choices per question and ask for the ?correct? answer per question. The following suggestions may apply to ASSET only, COMPASS only, CELSA only or all the tests:

Pace yourself

The time limit set for each ASSET and CELSA test gives nearly everyone enough time to finish all the questions. It is important to pace yourself so you will not spend too much time on one question.

Read the directions for each test carefully

Before you begin taking one of the tests, read the directions carefully. Some of the directions will  ask  for the ?best? or ?correct? answer. Do not respond as soon as you identify a correct answer. Read and consider all of the answer choices and choose the answer that is appropriate for the question.

The mathematics tests ask for the ?correct? answer. Read each question carefully to make sure you understand the type of answer required. Then you may want to compute the answer and look for it among the choices given. If your answer is not among the choices provided, recompute the answer before you choose ?not given? if that is one of your choices.

Read each question carefully

It is important that you understand what each question is asking. Some questions will require you to go through several steps to find a correct answer, while others can be answered quickly on the basis of your acquired knowledge.

Answer the easy questions first

The best strategy for taking the timed tests are to answer the easy questions and skip the questions you find more difficult. After answering all of the easy questions, go back and answer the more difficult questions. Once you have selected ?go on? in COMPASS you cannot return to the questions in the previous selection. Please do not press ?go on? until you have answered all the questions in a passage.

Use logic with more difficult questions

When you return to the more difficult questions, try to use logic to eliminate incorrect answers to a question. Compare the choices to each other and note how they differ. Such differences may provide clues to what the question requires. Eliminate as many incorrect answers as you can, then make an educated guess from the remaining choices.

Review your work

If time permits in ASSET or CLESA, go back and review your work. Check to be sure that you have marked only one answer for each question. COMPASS is not timed but review your answers before you select ?go on?.  You cannot return to a previous passage after selecting ?go on?.

Answer every question

Your score is based on the number of questions you answer correctly; there is no penalty for guessing.

Be precise in marking your answers

Be sure you blacken the correct response on your ASSET or CELSA test answer sheet. Check to be sure the response you are blackening is the same as the number of the question you are answering. If you must change an answer please erase the mark carefully and completely.

 For COMPASS click on each numbered box and answer the corresponding question. If you must change your answer just click on your second choice and the first will disappear.

 When all numbered boxes have been answered select the ?go on? button. Once ?go on? is selected you cannot go back to change an answer.

Calculators are optional for the advanced mathematics assessments

ASSET Elementary, Intermediate and College algebra students may use a four-function scientific or graphing calculator. Clicking on the ?Calculator? button from the COMPASS mathematics test screen will bring up the default Windows calculator.

Calculators are not required and all mathematics problems can be solved without a calculator. If you regularly use a calculator you may want to bring it to the test.

Calculators must be on the ACT approved list and the test center will not be responsible for any malfunctions.

Types of calculators not approved

• Pocket organizers
• Handheld or laptop computers
• Electronic writing pads or pen input devices
• Models with any QWERTY keypads
• Models with any built-in capability to simplify algebraic expressions
• Casio                                      CFX-997OG
• Casio Algebra                       fx2
• Hewlett Packard                   HP-40G
• Hewlett Packard                   HP-49G                  
• Texas Instrument                 TI-89
• Texas Instruments               TI-92