Testing Center

Regular Testing Hours: Tuesday through Thursday 8 am – 4 pm*
*Limited appointments outside regular hours may be available. Please call (712) 325-3278 for more information.

The following assessments are available in the Student Services Testing Center, which is located in Clark Hall 213. Please call 712-325-3278 to schedule an appointment.

• COMPASS – Identify academic strengths and weaknesses
• COMPASS/ESL – Evaluate English language skills
• Distance Education – Take E-college and Distance Learning Exams
• CPAT – Determine computer programming aptitude
• MSAT– Determine music theory aptitude
• NET – Prepare for entrance into the Practical Nursing program
• GAP - Prepare for entrance into the Advanced Placement Nursing program
• Typing – Test typing speed and accuracy
• CLEP – Earn college credit for qualifying test scores
• Dental Exams – Meet state dental assisting and dental hygiene requirements
• Nation-wide Assessments – Learn more about ACT and ASE

If you need special accommodations for testing, contact the office of Student Assistance at (712) 325-3390.

COMPASS

What is COMPASS?

COMPASS (COMputer-adaptive Placement Assessment and Support Services) is a placement tool designed to measure your current skills in writing, reading, and math. Throughout the assessment, COMPASS will adapt to your abilities. Questions may increase or decrease in difficulty depending on how previous questions were answered.

Why do I need to take the COMPASS?

Placement tests are required for all students who apply to Iowa Western Community College, and the scores cannot be more than two years old in order to be admitted. The results will help Iowa Western Community College staff and faculty decide where you should begin your academic coursework. It is imperative that you do your best because the results have an impact on the level and number of writing, reading and math classes that you take at Iowa Western.

Can I retake it if I don’t do well?

You can retake the COMPASS test only after you complete a class designed to improve your skills in the section of the test you want to retake. For instance, in order to retake the math section of the COMPASS, you must complete a math class.

How long will testing take?

You may take as little or as much time as you wish to complete the assessment. The COMPASS is untimed; however, the average completion time is two hours.

What should I bring with me?

All examinees are required to bring photo identification, which can be your driver’s license. You may bring your own calculator for the math test, or you can use the computer-based calculator that is provided.

Where do I go?

Once you turn on campus, simply follow the signs to Clark Hall. Our Testing Center is located on the second floor of Clark Hall in room 213.

How can I do my best?

It is important that you refresh your math, reading, and writing skills. Particularly focus on math if it has been a year or more since your last math class. For sample questions and general test taking tips, visit the websites below:

• General test taking tips
• Sample Reading Skills questions
• Sample Writing Skills questions
• Sample Numerical Skills, Prealgebra, and Algebra questions
• Sample College Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry questions

To schedule a test, please call us at 1-800-432-5852, ext. 3278 or 712-325-3278

The Academic Support Office on the Council Bluffs campus also offers free COMPASS Preparatory Workshops on Fridays at 11:00 a.m. The workshops last about one hour and will help you prepare for the COMPASS by showing you sample questions, explaining the test guidelines, and discussing the benefits of doing your best on the test. To sign up for a workshop, or if you have questions, call the Academic Support Center at 712.325.3494.

COMPASS/ESL

COMPASS/ESL is a placement tool designed to measure current skills in writing, reading, and listening for students for whom English is not a first language. To schedule a COMPASS/ESL test, please call the Director of International Programs at (712) 325-3219.

DISTANCE EDUCATION

Proctor services are available for students who take tests for online or distance education courses, including E-College. This service is free to Iowa Western students; a $20 fee will be charged for non-Iowa Western students.

CPAT

The Computer Programmers Aptitude Test indicates a student’s probability of success in the computer programming field. It is a timed test that includes pattern and sequence recognition, and basic math skills. This test is required for entrance into any Computer Programs at Iowa Western. Total test time is one hour, and the test is free to students.

MSAT

The Music Skills Assessment Test indicates a student's probability of success in music theory courses. It is a timed test that includes identifying notes in treble and bass clef, major and minor key signatures, and recognition of time signatures. This test is required for entrance into the Music and Technical Music programs at Iowa Western. The test time is 25 minutes, and the test is free to students.

NET

The Nurse Entrance Test is a computerized Practical Nursing Program entrance exam. The NET evaluates seven areas, including basic math skills, reading rate, science reading comprehension, social decisions, stressful situations, learning styles and test taking. This is a three-hour, timed-test for which calculators are not permitted. There is a $20 fee for this test. For more information visit the website at : http://www.eriworld.com/net.asp

GAP

The General Achievement Profile is a computerized entrance exam for the Advanced Placement Nursing program. The GAP is designed for licensed Practical Nurses and measures a nurses ability to apply basic nursing skills and safe, effective care. There is a $30 fee for this test. For more information visit the website at : http://www.eriworld.com

TYPING

A timed typing exam is offered for entrance into the Administrative Assistant, Medical Transcript and Medical Assistant programs at Iowa Western. The test can be completed in less than 30 minutes and is free to students.

CLEP

The College-Level Examination Program allows students to receive college credit by earning qualifying scores on any one or more of the CLEP examinations. Iowa Western students can earn up to 20 hours of college credit through CLEP exams. The tests are computer-based and students receive results immediately. The only exception is the English Composition with essay exam. Those results will be mailed to the student within six weeks of the test date. All CLEP exams are 90 minutes long. CLEP charges a $70 fee for each test and Iowa Western charges a $15 administration fee. For more information on which exams are available, please review CLEP Examinations at Iowa Western Community College.

DENTAL EXAMS

Iowa Western offers the following tests for the Iowa Board of Dental Examiners:

• Dental Assistance Iowa Jurisprudence
• Dental Assistant Infection Control & Hazardous Materials
• Dental Hygiene Iowa Jurisprudence
• Dental Iowa Jurisprudence
• Radiology

Each exam is one hour long and costs $20. For more information visit the website at http://www.state.ia.us/dentalboard/.

Nation-Wide Assessment

Iowa Western offers the following nation-wide assessments at scheduled times throughout the year. They are not administered in our testing center, but they are administered on campus. For specific dates and registration information, click on the link to each test.

ACT – College entrance examination- www.act.org

ASE – Automotive Service Excellence – www.asecert.org