Options and Requirements for Incoming Students

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COMPASS English Test

All incoming students are required to take the COMPASS English test prior to registering for any English courses unless:

• You have previous college-level English credits to transfer into SFCC.
• You have completed an assessment within the last three years.
• You are not pursuing a degree or certificate and will not be enrolling in English courses.

The COMPASS English Test assesses both your reading and writing proficiency. The COMPASS is an non-timed computerized test. Consult the FAQs for location, fees and prepration information.

Math Placement Test Options

All incoming students are required to take a math placement test prior to registering for any math courses unless:

• You are a recent high school graduate with successful precalculus credits.
• You plan to complete a vocational/technical program with no math requirements other than Business Math (BUS 103, MATH 100).
• You are not pursuing a degree or certificate and will not be enrolling in Math courses.

There are two different math placement tests. To determine the test that's right for you, select option that most closely describes you:

• Running Start: All Running Start students must take the MPT-G (Math Placement Test-General).
• Recent High School Graduate: Students with successful math credits may choose to take the MPT-G (Math Placement Test-General).
• Want to work up to college readiness in mathematics because you are unsure of math skills or years have elapsed since your last math class: Prepare for and then take the MMT (MyMath Test).

MPT-G (Math Placement Test-General)

• The MPT-G is for students who believe their math skills are sufficient to test into Introductory College Level Math, which include the following courses: MATH& 107, MATH 108, 201, 208, or 221.
• This test is a one-hour timed paper and pencil test with the use of a calculator.
• Test scores from the MPT-G are transferrable for up to 3 years to many 4-year colleges and universities, depending on their requirements.
• Consult the FAQs for location, fees and preparation information.
• Students wishing to place into precalculus or calculus must first pass the MPT-G and then place into precalculus or Calculus through COMPASS.

MMT (MyMath Test)

• The MMT is for students who have not taken algebra in several years or are uncertain about their college level math proficiency.
• Before taking the test, go to the New Student Entry Center for a 30-minute orientation:
  1. Pay the fee at the cashier's office and bring your receipt to the NSEC.
  2. Pick up a test packet of information.
  3. Aquire a user name and password for access to the MyMath Test.
  4. Log in and take the introductory tutorial.
• The MMT includes online math instruction to refresh your skills and thoroughly prepare you for the test.
• After picking up your packet and preparing online, schedule your MyMath Test online.
• The SFCC Math Lab has tutors available to assist you with preparing to take the actual MyMath Test.
• Consult the FAQs for location, fees and prepration information.

Precalculus/Calculus Placement

Option 1 (recent high school graduates only): SFCC allows high school coursework to gain placement into precalculus or calculus as follows:

• Those students who can produce a high school transcript documenting an A or B (3.0 or better) in both semesters of Precalculus receive placement in one of the courses: MATH 107, 108, 141, 142, 201, 208, or 221.
• Those who earn an A in both semesters of Precalculus may begin in MATH 151 (Calculus 1). This placement comes with conditions:
  1. Students may only use the agreement within a year of graduation from high school. Alternatively, students must proceed through the regular placement process.
  2. If you do not receive a 2.0 or higher in your first math course (MATH 107, 108, 141, 142, 201, 208, 221, or 151), you must proceed through the regular placement process.
  3. While this placement will satisfy the Intermediate Algebra Proficiency of the A.A. degree upon passing a transfer-level mathematics course, it will not fulfill any other requirement of the degree or grant college credit.

Option 2: Pass the MPT-G test and then score at the precalculus or calculus level on the COMPASS exam.

Schedule your test online once you have paid the fee, studied and met any prerequisites above. If you are still uncertain or confused about which math assessment to take, please contact our office at (509) 533-3401, or email us at nsec@spokanefalls.edu.