The Start Right PowerPoint

1. Start Here. Start Now. Start Right at HGTC.

2. Your seven steps:
1. Submit your Application
2. Start the Financial Aid process
3. Submit all High School and
other college transcripts
4. Submit Test Scores (SAT/ACT)
or attend The Start Right
Experience and register to
take the COMPASS®
5. Complete any other additional
Admission requirements
6. Meet with a New Student
Enrollment Advisor to map out
your academic plan, then
register and pay for classes If you have questions, call
7. Participation in today!
Orientation, either in person or
online For questions about Admissions
or Financial Aid, call 1-855-544-
HGTC.

3. The COMPASS® Placement test is a
computer-based test that helps advisors
place students into appropriate courses at
HGTC.
 Easy to use
 Computer experience is not required,
but recommended
 Not timed
 Average time to complete: 1 1/2 or 2
hours
 Not a pass/fail test
 Results, available immediately, are used
for advising to help select appropriate
course placement

4.  How well you do on the
COMPASS® test will impact:
 Your expected graduation date.
 Don’t delay your graduation!
 How does course placement
affect your expected graduation
date?
 Lower scores on the test may involve
your enrollment in non-degree credit
courses.
 Enrolling in non-degree credit courses
means it will take you longer to
complete your academic
plan, increase your personal
costs, and lengthen your expected
graduation date.
 Start Now! We are here to help
you.
 Let’s begin to understand what you will
be tested on and how you can prepare
for the test.

5. There are three sections:
Reading Skills, Writing
Skills, and Math Skills.
 Reading Section
 You’ll read passages and answer
questions about the content in the
passage
 Writing Sections
 Writing Skills – you’ll find and
correct errors in essays presented
on the computer screen
 Writing Essay – you’ll be given a
writing task to develop an essay
 Math Section
 Numerical, pre-algebra, algebra
 College
algebra, geometry, trigonometry

6. HGTC has a COMPASS®
Prep Guide for you!
After this session, log onto this guide to:
 Use the ACT COMPASS® site to
read through sample test questions
 Engage in free, interactive test
questions
 Utilize Free HGTC Library Learning
Express tutorials
 Access other COMPASS® Test
Prep resources
The COMPASS Prep Guide
provided by HGTC’s Student
Information Center, WaveNet
Central:
http://libguides.hgtc.edu/compassprep

10.  Prior to taking the test, use HGTCs
COMPASS Prep Guide to help you
practice, study and review for the test.
 Relax!
 Get plenty of rest, eat properly before
the test, and arrive early.
 Be sure you read and understand the
directions for each test before that test
session begins. Ask questions if you
need to.
 Read each question carefully until you
understand what the question is
asking.
http://www.act.org/compass/student/tips.htm
l
 Be sure to answer every item. You are
not penalized for guessing. Your score
will provide more useful placement
information if you answer every
item, even if you guess.
 Don't be afraid to change an answer if
you believe that your first choice was
wrong.

11. STEPS to Register for COMPASS®
Visit the Testing Center
Website. www.hgtc.edu/testing
Follow the instructions on the website to
sign up for an appointment to take the
COMPASS.
HGTC Testing Center Testing Times and
Locations:
 Conway Hours:
Building 1100, Room 125
Monday & Tuesday: 9:00am., 11:00 a.m.,
1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday & Thursday: 9:00 am., 11:00
a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. Only
 Georgetown Hours
Building 100, Room 129
Testing days and times vary
 Grand Strand Hours:
Building 200, Room 101
Testing days and times vary

12.  Schedule appointments 24
hours in advance
 Photo ID required
 Personal items not permitted in
the testing area (book
bags, purses, etc.)
 Scratch paper, pencils, and an
online calculator are available
 Food and drinks are not allowed
in the Testing Centers
 Children are not allowed to
accompany students into the
Testing Centers and may not be
left unattended in the lobby or
hallway while student is testing

13.  Placement testing is
available in alternate formats
for students with disabilities
 Students requesting special
accommodations for
placement test should
contact the Counselor for
Students with Disabilities at
the campus most convenient
to you:
 Conway Campus Building
1100, Room 125 (843) 349-
5249
 Grand Strand Campus Building
200, Room 101 (843) 477-2055
 Georgetown Campus Building
100, Room 129 (843) 520-1403

14. Visit www.hgtc.edu/startright to complete
The Start Right Experience Exit Quiz!
You must take the quiz in order to be allowed to test
on the COMPASS.
1. I know where to find resources that will assist me in preparing
to take the COMPASS®. Yes/No
2. I know how and where to make an appointment to take the
COMPASS®. Yes/No
3. I know the steps that I need to complete to enroll at HGTC.
Yes/No
4. At which campus do you plan to take the COMPASS®?
Conway
Grand Strand
Georgetown