Preparing for Placement

New student placement testing is provided in the Learning Studio, 618 S. Michigan Avenue on the First Floor.  Please arrive fifteen minutes early and check-in at the front desk.

Students are required to bring:

1. photo ID
2. proof of your correct OASIS Student ID Number in the form of an Orientation Confirmation, a Columbia photo ID, or your Columbia course schedule.  If you bring a Columbia photo ID, you do not need to bring a second ID.

New students taking all three placements should allow three hours to complete their placements. Transfer students should allow two hours.

Students may bring their own calculator or use those provided by New Student Placement.  We also provide pencils to all new students taking math placements. Cell phones, iPads, laptops, etc. are prohibited.

This site contains sample questions from ACT, the company that owns COMPASS. The questions should help you get a better idea of what you will see on the COMPASS placement.

Students with special needs are required to have documentation.  Please call New Student Placement at 312.369.7635.  Also, you will receive a referral to Services for Students with Disabilities and Interpreting Services.

• For a schedule of On-Campus Placement dates, please refer back to the main Placement page.