Placement tests are administered to students entering a new school or college. They identify which classes or levels are the best starting points based on current skills and knowledge.
These types of assessments of include more than one subject area. They are extremely useful for ensuring that students do not begin a new program underprepared or overprepared.
The COMPASS Test, for example, is an assessment developed by ACT for students entering college. It evaluates math, reading, writing, essays writing, and English as a second language. The results help students and their advisors in setting a course of study.
Students often ask why they must take these entry assessments, considering that college's know which courses they have already completed successfully. But the fact is that time has passed between completion of high school or previous college courses and entry (or re-entry).
Time lapses, as well as the possibility that not all previous courses effectively prepare students for certain college courses, are good reasons for ensuring that students start out at the right point.
