Testing

Testing and Assessment Office

COMPASS Placement Tests

Jefferson State Community College requires a comprehensive assessment of students in math and English prior to enrollment in classes unless appropriate exemptions are on file with Enrollment Services (see below): Failure to take the placement tests, failure to make satisfactory scores on the placement tests (as defined by college policy), or failure to have appropriate exemptions on file with Enrollment Services will result in students being placed into developmental English, reading, and/or math courses.

The COMPASS placement tests for English and math are administered each Thursday at the Jefferson Campus (2601 Carson Road) and each Friday at the Shelby campus (4600 Valleydale Road) between the hours of 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Students may arrive anytime between these hours.

Testing at the Jefferson Campus is held in Lurleen Wallace Hall, Room 322 (2601 Carson Road). Testing at the Shelby-Hoover Campus is held in the Learning Resources Center of General Studies Building, Shelby-Hoover Campus (4600 Valleydale Road).  Students must bring a photo id, their Social Security Number or Jeff State ID number to the test. Students also need an application on file with the school.

There is no fee for placement tests and no appointment is required. However, students must present photo identification and have submitted an application for enrollment to Enrollment Services at the time of testing. Pursuant to college policy, placement tests may be taken only once within a one-year period.

Placement Test Exemptions

1. Exemptions from placement tests are granted for students that register for RDG 085 and ENG 093 or for MTH 090S. Course placement may also be assigned based on English and math subtest scores as reported by ACT and SAT Assessments, if the student is enrolling within the three years of graduation from high school. Placement may also be assigned based on college level math and English courses completed at other institutions. Students enrolled in courses for which they are ineligible will be administratively withdrawn.
    

Jefferson State Community College requires a comprehensive assessment of students in Math and English prior to enrollment in classes unless appropriate exemptions are on file with Enrollment Services.  Course placement is determined by the results of this assessment.  Students enrolled in courses for which they are ineligible will be administratively withdrawn.  There is no fee for initial Math and English placement tests.  Students must wait one calendar year before retesting on the Math and English placement tests and there is a retest fee of $8.00.  The times and dates listed above are walk-in only.  Students may arrive anytime between the hours listed.  Students must present photo identification and have an application for enrollment on file with Enrollment Services at the time of testing

To qualify for placement test exemptions, Enrollment Services must have on file all transcripts of coursework completed at other institutions, and/or ACT/SAT assessment scores.