COMPASS scores and placement in our Writing courses.
Placement in Writing Classes at Highline
Students are placed into Writing Classes through the writing score
of the COMPASS exam or through completing a prescribed prerequisite
course with a 2.0 or higher.
| COMPASS ESL
Score |
COMPASS
Writing Score |
Course Placement |
| 150-209 |
|
ENGL 71 |
| 210-259 |
Native
Speakers placed by advisors |
ENGL 81 |
| 260 |
40-64 |
ENGL 91 |
| |
65-100*
* PLUS a COMPASS reading score of at least 71
or a 2.0 or higher in Reading 60 |
ENGL 101 |
The only exception to the compass score
requirement is if you have received a 2.0 or better in a writing
class at another community college or four year college that is
equivalent to our prerequisite courses. In these cases, you need to
go to the educational planning center in Building 6 and an advisor
will translate the course into Highline’s system and then you can
register for the next appropriate writing course.
The writing instructors or advisors will not let you into courses
based on:
-
grades in high school English classes
-
your opinion about your own writing
-
being close to the appropriate COMPASS score
but not quite there
You need to have the appropriate COMPASS score
or have a 2.0 or better in an equivalent college course (again, the
advisors in Building 6 need to transfer the credit in these cases if
the course was taken at another college).
F.A.Q.
“I took the COMPASS test and got a writing score of 67, but the
computer won’t let me into a Writing 101.”
There is also a reading prerequisite of a score of 71
on the COMPASS reading
test or a 2.0 or greater in Reading 81.
If you have met both
the reading and writing prerequisites for this course, you
should be able to register. If a computer error like this has
occurred, take proof of your identity (picture ID) and COMPASS
score (COMPASS score printout with your name on it) to an
advisor in Building 6 or the Writing Program Coordinator in
Building 5. You will then get an entry code for a Writing
101 course.
“I took a 4 credit class called English 100
at Whatcom Community College and got a 3.2. Can’t I just get an
entry code from a writing instructor for Writing 101, even though
the computer won’t let me in?”
No. Go to the educational planning center
(Building 6). One of the advisors will call Shui nWog, our
credential evaluator, or send you to go see her. If Shui tells
us that the courses are equivalent, then we will give you an
entry code and then you’ll be able to take the next course that
is appropriate for you.
“I took High School honors English and got a
4.0. Can’t I get an entry code from a writing instructor and go
directly into Writing 101, based on this?”
No. Take COMPASS writing test. (It
usually takes about 15 minutes). If you did really well in
English in high school, your COMPASS score will probably reflect
these skills. Without the appropriate compass score, you cannot
enter Writing 101.
“I don’t think the COMPASS score accurately
reflects my abilities. It placed me in Writing 91, but I think I
should be in Writing 101. Can’t I just get an entry code?”
No. You have two options:
-
Retake the COMPASS test and try to
get a better score OR
-
Register for Writing 91 and talk to
this teacher about moving up. Most writing teachers assign a
diagnostic essay to students in the first few days of class
in order to see where students are with their writing. If
the writing sample indicates that you might be more
successful in a higher or lower class, your instructor will
talk with you one-on-one.
You cannot get an entry code to take
Writing 101 based on your opinion that you should be in a higher
class if you don’t have the appropriate COMPASS score.
“I scored a 61 on the writing portion of the
COMPASS. Because it is close to the border, can’t I just get an
entry code to take Writing 101?”
No. The cut-off numbers are set for a
reason. You have two options:
-
Retake the COMPASS test and try to
get a better score OR
-
Register for Writing 91 and talk to
this teacher about moving up. Most writing teachers assign a
diagnostic essay to students in the first few days of class.
If the writing sample indicates that you might be more
successful in a higher or lower class, your instructor will
talk with you one-on-one.
You cannot get an entry code to take
Writing 101 based on your opinion that you should be in a higher
class if you don’t have the appropriate COMPASS score.
Back to
Writing resources
Last updated:
December 09, 2009
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