Note: The COMPASS Math Placement Exam should only be taken by students who have paid the Enrollment Deposit Fee at Illinois State University. Scores may not transfer to other institutions.

If you are an admitted new beginning freshman student, you must take the COMPASS Math Placement Exam prior to attending Preview, the summer orientation and registration program for new beginning freshmen.

If your ACT math subscore is 27 or greater, or your SAT math subscore is 620 or greater, you do NOT need to take the COMPASS Math Placement Exam. However, if your ACT math subscore is 26 or below, or your SAT math subscore is below 620, you MUST take the COMPASS Math Placement Exam in order to register for math classes.

Before taking the COMPASS Math Placement Exam, you should know:

MATH PLACEMENT POLICY: The COMPASS exam may be taken twice each Fall or Spring semester and three times in the Summer semester. Students must wait seven (7) days before retesting. COMPASS scores are valid for two (2) years.

Illinois State assigns a University Identification number (UID) to each student who submits an application. This number is included in a letter from the Admissions office upon receipt of the application. You MUST have your UID number with you to take the COMPASS Math Placement exam. If you cannot locate your UID number, please visit www.Welcome2ISU.ilstu.edu. You need to create a new account to view your UID number. You will not be allowed to test without this number.
COMPASS scores determine which math courses you are eligible to take at Illinois State University. It is to your advantage to review sample questions and take this exam seriously.
All examinees will receive questions in Algebra. Depending on your Algebra score, you will then be routed into either Pre-Algebra questions OR College Algebra and Trigonometry questions.
Reviewing sample questions may improve test scores. Links to sample questions are on the red navigation bar to the left.
COMPASS is an untimed exam. The average time needed to complete the exam is less than one hour.

Placement exam results will be provided to assist in determining initial placement in a math course and should be discussed with your Academic Advisor.

Guidelines for Calculator Use

Students may use most four-function, scientific, and graphing calculators.

The following types of calculators are also permitted, but only if they are modified as noted:

Calculators with paper tape - the tape must be removed.
Calculators that make noise- the sound feature must be turned off.
Calculators that communicate wirelessly with other calculators - the infrared data port must be completely covered with heavy opaque material, such as duct tape or electrician's tape.
Calculators that have power cords - all power/electrical cords must be removed.

The following types of calculators are prohibited:

Pocket organizers.
Handheld or laptop computers.
Electronic writing pads or pen-input devices - the Sharp EL 9600 is permitted.
Calculators built into cellular phones or other wireless communication devices.
Calculators with a typewriter keypad (keys in QWERTY format) - calculators with letter keys not in QWERTY format are permitted.
Calculators with built-in computer algebra systems - prohibited calculators in this category include:
- Casio: Algebra fx 2.0, ClassPad 300, and all model numbers that begin with CFX-9970G.
- Texas Instruments: All model numbers that begin with TI-89 and TI-92, and the TI-Nspire CAS.
- Hewlett-Packard: hp 48GII and all model numbers that begin with hp 40G, hp 49G, hp 50G.

Questions about the Math Placement Exam should be directed to the University College Testing Services at (309) 438-2100.