The COMPASS Placement exam is very important. This exam is taken instead of the SAT and ACT to determine if a student will place into college level courses. The exam consists of reading, writing, and mathematics. All students are required to take the COMPASS Placement exam, there is no time limit, and it is taken on a computer. Examinees are strongly encouraged to take this exam seriously.
This exam is only given to students planning to attend Dalton State College.
The Compass Exam is FREE, but you must submit a Dalton State application for enrollment PRIOR to registering for the exam.
You will then receive a Dalton State Student ID number to use for the Compass Exam. If you do not have or do not know your Dalton State Student ID number click here.
On the day of the exam:
Photo ID, a Dalton State Student ID number, if you have been assigned one, and a copy of your Admission Status page are required for admittance to the test. Calculators, scratch paper and pencils are provided.
COMPASS Placement Exam Preparation
- Study "Chart Your Success on the COMPASS," Callahan. This book is on reserve in Roberts Library.
- Visit the ACT web site for on-line COMPASS sample questions.
- Visit the Dalton State College Writing Lab website, or Academic Resources' Tutoring and Peer Education website for additional COMPASS sample questions.
- Go to Academic Resources' Tutoring Center & Resource Lab (Pope Student Center, lover lever) and take the practice COMPASS online. For more information, contact: academicresources@daltonstate.edu.
For COMPASS testing at our Gilmer Center in Ellijay, click here.
Please note: On Wednesday, August 1st at 10:00 am, there will be a COMPASS Retest given at the Ellijay Campus. Please register here.
COMPASS Placement Registration Form
The Testing Center can accommodate up to 21 examinees at one time. When registration for a session reaches 21 reservations the session will be closed.
Please be sure to choose a test date. If you do not select a day to take your exam your registration will not be processed.
*Please note, this registration form is for first time test takers. If you are registering for a retake, please contact the Testing Center at 706-272-2606.
Beginning in September 2009, Dalton State College will begin a no-show policy for the COMPASS Exam. This policy states that if someone registers for the exam and does not attend, there will be a $30.00 charge per BOR, placed on his or her account in the Business Office, which, in turn, will place a hold on the student's record keeping him/her from making any changes until paid. If you do not plan to reschedule for a date that is listed on the website, please contact the Testing Center in order to get your name removed from the list.
If you are a student that would like information on testing with accommodations, please click here.
Dalton Campus Schedule
PLEASE NOTE: Although we have open sessions
for COMPASS Testing, we will offer walk-ins during several months in the
summer. Please look below for the walk-in dates. You do not need to register as this is a first come
first serve testing day. You do need to bring picture ID and your Admission
Status page. Because this is a walk-in, there may be a wait time so please
come early. Your patience will be appreciated.
Click here for the COMPASS Retest Policy and dates scheduled for retesting.
Questions? E-mail testing_center@daltonstate.edu.