Testing Services
Placement Testing — ASSET
The ASSET test is a paper/ pencil version of the placement test. It is an alternative to the computerized test (COMPASS). However, the ASSET test is used only in the following circumstances:
- When Disability Services requests to have the ASSET test administered
to a student with a documented learning and/ or physical disability.
Please contact Disability Services for eligibility by calling
503-399-5192.
- When Testing Center staff administer the placement tests to
high school students at their high school. These tests are arranged
by the high school counselors.
- When the Testing Center holds special group testing sessions during peak testing months. These sessions help accommodate students who are unable to reserve a computer for the COMPASS test, due to high testing volume (e.g. during August and September).
Important information about ASSET
- Unlike the COMPASS test, ASSET is timed.
- There are three sections to the test: reading, writing, and
math. Each section has a time limit of 25 minutes. We do not offer
this test in separate sections. You must take all three exams
in one sitting.
- For math, you will need to choose ONE of the following tests:
Numerical Skills, Elementary Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, or
College Algebra. For more information, click here.
- You may use a simple or scientific calculator on the ASSET
math test unless you choose to take the Numerical Skills. Calculators
are not allowed for the Numerical Skills test. Graphing calculators
are not allowed for any section of the ASSET test.
- If you wish to be placed into Calculus class, then you must
take the COMPASS test.
- Test results are not instant. You must pick up your results
in person with a photo ID. Test results are ready 24 — 48
business hours after test completion.
- For sample ASSET test questions, please click here.
For more information about the ASSET test, please contact the Testing Center (503-399-6556) or the Assessment Coordinator (503-399-6552).
What Kinds of Questions are on the ASSET test?
The ASSET tests all use a multiple-choice format. The following table gives the number of items and the amount of time allowed for each test:
| Test | Number of Items | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Skills Tests: | ||
| Writing Skills | 36 | 25 |
| Reading Skills | 24 | 25 |
| *Numerical Skills | 32 | 25 |
| Advanced Mathematics Tests: | ||
| *Elementary Algebra | 25 | 25 |
| *Intermediate Algebra | 25 | 25 |
| *College Algebra | 25 | 25 |
* For the math test, students choose to take either the Numerical Skills Test or one of the three advanced math tests.
The Writing Skills test measures your understanding of appropriate usage in grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, writing strategy and writing style.
The Reading Skills test measures your ability to find specific information in the text, and to make logical inferences that extend beyond the text information.
The Numerical Skills test assesses your knowledge and skills in the performance of basic math operations using whole numbers, decimals, and fractions. This test also measures pre-algebra knowledge and skills such as your understanding of prime numbers, absolute values, scientific notation and square roots.
The Elementary Algebra test measures skills often taught in a first-year high school algebra class, including evaluating and simplifying algebraic expressions, solving linear and quadratic equations, and performing operations with polynomials.
The Intermediate Algebra test measures skills often taught in a second year high school algebra class, including factoring, graphing, solving linear inequalities and calculating slope and distance.
The College Algebra test measures skills often taught in a first-year college algebra course, including performing operations with complex numbers, exponential functions, factorials and graphs of polynomials.
Updated January 8, 2007 by the College Advancement Department.