ACT Compass is not an admission test but placement exam. It was designed for estimating knowledge level of first-years college students at two-year and four-year colleges. This test does not evaluate reasoning abilities, but only basic school subjects’ knowledge. The exam measures skills in writing, reading, mathematics, ESL (English as a second language). It determines whether or not student need remedial classes in subjects he or she is weak and what subjects they should be in.

Test structure divided into 5 knowledge areas: mathematics, reading skills, writing skills, writing essay and ESL. Each area is evaluated separately. In fact, that are 5 different tests, and they might be taken separately. The first three exams include multiple choice test questions. There’s no time limit, the tests are taken on a computer. After passing, the test result will be available at the examination site. The exam is fee-free, but in the case of school enrollment testing, one needs to pay between $20 and $40 of proctor fee.