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<h3 class="title">Find your direction at the School of Mines</h3>The ACT is the required initial test used to place students who attend a South Dakota regental university into their mathematics and English courses. A student can be placed in classes via the ACT sub-scores for math and English, or, for more accurate placement, via the ACT COMPASS test, which is administered at South Dakota universities such as the School of Mines. The COMPASS test is administered on a computer and takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes for each section (math, writing, and reading). Students who need to take the COMPASS test should sign up for and attend a COMPASS Day (dates are listed below) or contact Academic and Enrollment Services (AES) at (605) 394-2400.COMPASS Day schedule for the 2008-2009 Academic Year <ul><ul><li>March 29, 2008 - COMPASS Day</li><li>April 19, 2008 - COMPASS Day</li><li>May 17, 2008 - COMPASS Day</li><li>May 24, 2008 - COMPASS Day</li></ul></ul><a href="301">Online Registration for the COMPASS test</a> Students will need to take all or part of the COMPASS test if: 1. they have not taken the ACT within five years from date of enrollment and have not taken and passed any college level English or math courses.2. they scored above 24 on their ACT math they are required to take the COMPASS for accurate course placement.3. they scored a 24 or less on their ACT math and want to challenge their course placement. Students have the option of taking the higher of the two scores, but are warned that a deficiency warrants serious contemplation and students should consider the class that best reflects the requirements of math success. At School of Mines, advanced math is a mainstay in the curriculum, regardless of major.4. they scored 17 or less on their ACT writing &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5. they scored 17 or less on their ACT reading COMPASS results are designed to assist the institution in placing students into appropriate math and English courses or, if necessary, into developmental or preparatory courses. We caution students that successful completion of a high school course (e.g., trigonometry) will not guarantee that this course can be &ldquo;skipped&rdquo; at the School of Mines. Placement is confirmed by passing the appropriate COMPASS test area. The COMPASS is given at all South Dakota Regental institutions and they will administer the test for students coming to the School of Mines; however, there may be a nominal fee. Contact the School of Mines for further information at (605) 394-2400. The COMPASS is a national test used by many technical and community colleges as well as universities. If you do not live close to South Dakota and want to take the test without traveling to the area, contact schools close to your home to determine if they have the COMPASS 3.2 version available to take and send the School of Mines the scores. The <a href="http://www.act.org/compass/sites/index.html" target="_blank">COMPASS Internet Remote Test Site Locator</a> is also now available.<a href="301">Online Registration for the COMPASS test</a>

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