Wichita Area Technical College Mandatory Assessment and Placement Policy states that students who are seeking a degree, certificate or are registering for 12 or more credit hours are required to complete placement test in English reading, English writing and mathematics prior to registering for the first time. The results of these tests are utilized for program admittance and/or course placement. Students registering for fewer than 12 credit hours are required to complete placement tests prior to registering for English Composition or math courses or after attempting 12 credit hours.
WATC primarily uses ACT™ COMPASS™, a computerized adaptive testing program, to place students into appropriate academic courses and for admittance to most programs. Since the COMPASS test is adaptive, the number of questions will vary depending on skill level. The test is not timed, but generally takes 1 ½ to 2 ½ hours to complete all three parts (about 35–40 minutes per subject). A scientific calculator may be used on the math test. Please note: some programs may require the ACT™ WorkKeys® or the ATI™ TEAS® exam for program admittance. See Program Placement Guidelines to verify entrance assessment requirements for your program of interest.
Some students may have all or part of the assessment testing for course placement waived by providing documentation of appropriate ACT scores or prerequisite course completed from another institution. For more information on ACT cut scores or other assessment information, see the Mandatory Assessment and Placement Policy.
WATC offers courses to students with a variety of skill levels. The WATC Programs Exceptions and Course Placement for General Education table lists the mathematics, reading and English courses students will take based on their assessment scores.
Students generally score higher on the placement test if they review a study guide before testing. Study guides are available from several different Web sites. See Study Guides below for more information.
Students have the opportunity to retest two times for a small fee if they feel their initial assessment results do not adequately reflect their ability. Review assistance is available at no cost prior to retesting through the Main Campus and Southside Education Center Academic Success Centers.
Main Campus
Monday-Thursday 7:45 a.m.–6 p.m.
(The last test will start no later than 4:45 p.m.)
Friday 9 a.m.–4:45 p.m.
(The last test will start no later than 3:15 p.m.)
Please allow one hour per test.
Southside Education Center
Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
(The last test will start no later than 7 p.m.)
Friday 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
(The last test will start no later than 2 p.m.)
Saturday 9 a.m.–noon
(The last test will start no later than 11 a.m.)
Students generally score higher on the placement test if they review a study guide before testing. The information below provides links to specific test information and guides.
- If the ACT™ COMPASS™ is the required test, the COMPASS/ESL study guide is an excellent resource. Calculators, including scientific calculators, are allowed for COMPASS math tests.
- If the ACT™ WorkKeys® is the required test, the ACT Web site offers practice tests. Sample questions are free, but there is a charge for practice tests. Another similar option is the ACT Student Web site. Calculators, including basic scientific calculators, are allowed for the WorkKeys Applied Math test.
- If the ATI™ TEAS® is the required test, a study manual and practice test may be purchased online from the ATI Testing Web site. Calculators are not allowed on the TEAS test.
