Course Placement Testing
Black Hawk College is an open enrollment college. This means that all students are accepted into the college regardless of prior testing such as ACT or high school course work and grades. As a Community College, Black Hawk College offers classes which are either college level or developmental (pre-college) level classes. In order to determine which classes to take, students enrolling at Black Hawk College take our COMPASS course placement test. COMPASS measures academic skills in Writing, Reading, Basic Math and Algebra. COMPASS test scores are used to place students into courses that are appropriate for his/her academic skill level. COMPASS scores determine a student’s mandatory placement into college level courses (classes with course numbers 100 and above), Developmental Education courses (classes with course numbers <100), or referral to the Student Success Center or Adult Basic Education.

When can I take the COMPASS test?
Quad-Cities Campus - November | December
East Campus -

Sign Up | Special Notes | Who takes the COMPASS placement test? | Students may be exempt from parts of the COMPASS test | How much does the test cost and can I retake the test? | Things to remember on the day of the test | What should I study? | What do the COMPASS tests cover?

To sign up for a test session call:
        309-796-5352 or 796-5100 (Quad-Cities)
        309-854-1703 (East Campus)

Special Notes

• Students who need to take the COMPASS test with accommodations based on their disability should contact Disability Services by calling 309-796-5949 (Quad-Cities) or TTY 309-796-5903 or 309-854-1713 (East Campus), to make arrangements.
• Students for whom English is their second language should contact Anne Bollati, ESL Coordinator, at (309) 796-5183 to schedule ESL placement testing

Who takes the COMPASS placement test?
You are required to take the COMPASS test if you enroll in or accumulate 6 or more credit hours at Black Hawk College. Some students may be exempt from taking parts of the COMPASS placement test. See below….

Students may be exempt from parts of the COMPASS test under two conditions:

1. Students who have taken the ACT test within the past two years and scored 22 or higher in the individual English, Reading or Math tests do not have to take the corresponding COMPASS test:
   • ACT 22 or higher in English exempts you from the COMPASS writing test
   • ACT 22 or higher in Reading exempts you from the COMPASS reading test
   • ACT 22 or higher in Math exempts you from the COMPASS pre-algebra test, however you are required to take the COMPASS Algebra test.
2. Students who have completed courses, or taken a placement test such as ASSET or COMPASS at another college or university may be exempt from portions of the COMPASS test. These students should first see an advisor or counselor before taking the COMPASS test. Documentation is required and must be reviewed by an advisor to determine which portions of the COMPASS test are needed for course placement. You will need to bring an unofficial copy of your college transcript or ASSET/COMPASS scores when you come to the Advising Center to see an advisor. Without documentation, students will be required to take the entire COMPASS test for course placement. Placement test scores from other colleges and universities that are not ASSET or COMPASS scores cannot be used for course placement at Black Hawk College.

How do I let Black Hawk know I am exempt from part of the COMPASS placement test?
You must bring a signed permit from a Black Hawk Advisor, or a copy of your ACT report to the COMPASS test. If you do not have documentation with you at the time of the test you will be required to take the ENTIRE test. If you haven’t had your ACT scores sent to Black Hawk College, you will need to do so. To request an additional ACT score report, go to ACT’s web page at www.act.org and have one sent to Enrollment Services, Black Hawk College, 6600 34th Ave., Moline, IL 61265 or the Admissions Office, Black Hawk College – East Campus, 26230 Black Hawk Road, Galva, IL  61434.

How much does the test cost and can I retake the test?
You may take the COMPASS test free of charge one time per academic year (Sept. 1 – Aug. 31). If you wish to retake the COMPASS test during the same academic year, the cost is $15.00 per individual test or $30 for the entire test. Payment in cash (exact change) or check at the time of testing is accepted. NO CREDIT CARDS are accepted.
Things to remember on the day of the test:

• Bring along a picture ID (Drivers License is great)
• Bring along a calculator (The test itself has a calculator if you don’t bring your own along.)
• Bring along your ACT score report or a test permit from your advisor or if you are exempt from parts of the test
• The test is free once each school year. Bring a check or cash if this is a retake
• Arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled test time.
• Parking passes are available, come extra early if you need one.

What should I STUDY before taking the COMPASS test?
You are encouraged to review and study for COMPASS testing. For sample tests and more information visit http://www.act.org/compass/sample This website has 70 pages of test questions in PDF versions that can be downloaded or viewed with Adobe Acrobat software.

What do the COMPASS tests cover?