The Test Center offers the following services:

• COMPASS placement testing on a walk-in basis
• Proctoring services for both on-line and written tests for Distance Education (DE) courses
• Proctoring services for make-up exams for campus courses

To Take a Test

Students must present a photo identification card or a current valided UH system photo identification card. The Test Center is located in BE-227.

For online testing for Distance Education courses or WebCT online testing, the name of the student must be on the class list provided by the instructor to the test center staff. For all testing, no cell phone and other electronic devices are allowed during testing (unless specified by the instructor).

Should a student require alternative test taking accommodations as a qualified individual with disabilities under Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, please contact Kako‘o ‘Ike at 455-0421. It is advisable to make arrangements at least 2 weeks in advance of the testing date.

Test Center Hours:

The LCC Test Center is open year round and is located in the Business Education (BE) Room 227. Please see the campus map at the bottom of this page. COMPASS Placement testing is offered year round on a walk-in basis (first come first served).

Monday - Friday:    8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday, Sunday & Holidays:    Closed

Compass Tests available until 2:00pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays. Compass Tests available until 2:30pm on Wednesdays. 

COMPASS Placement Testing 

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  1. All students entering LCC for the first time who intend to register for two or more courses.
  2. All students who intend to register in any reading, writing, or mathematics course, or any other course or program which may require the designated placement tests.
  3. All students who did not take the designated placement tests as entering students but who register for 16 or more cumulative credits at LCC.
  1. Students who have already earned an associate or other college degree unless they fall into category 2 above and have not been exempted from the applicable placement tests by the appropriate instructional division or administrator.
  2. Students attending LCC solely for enrichment purposes, or not for the purposes of earning a degree or certificate, and who do not fall in category 2 above.
The primary purpose of Leeward Community College (LCC) placement testing program is to place a student into the appropriate courses and other instructional activities to increase the likelihood of academic success. The program assesses student mastery of basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics and gathers information to better advise and assist students. The following students are required to take placement tests designated by the College:
The placement test requirement does not apply, as a general rule, to the following students:
Students, with official placement test scores not more than 2 years old from another University of Hawai‘i community college, will be placed in the LCC equivalent of the course recommended by the first institution. Transfer students, who have earned a passing grade of “C” or better in an appropriate reading, writing or mathematics course within the last 2 years at another accredited college or university, shall be placed in the LCC equivalent of the next course in the sequence.

Unless exempted by the appropriate instructional division, transfer students with reading, writing or mathematics courses more than 2 years old, and who intend to register in higher-level courses in these respective areas, shall be required to take the applicable placement tests at the Test Center. Scores on the mathematics placement test administered by LCC are valid for 2 years. There is no time limit on the English/reading placement test scores at the time of this posting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Placement Test?

Placement tests are administered to new students who plan to attend Leeward Community College or any other educational institution. New students or current students who have not taken an English or Math course should take the University of Hawaii Community College placement test. The Test Center administers the ACT COMPASS (Computerized Adaptive Placement Assessment and Support System) Placement tests, a computerized test that will place you into the Math or English class that best suits you.

Do I Need To Take The Test?

YES… If you’re a new student with no previous college experience.

If your COMPASS scores are more than two years old and you have not completed an English or Math course in the UH system.

NO… If your COMPASS scores are less than two years old.

If you have completed an English, ESL, or Math course with a grade of “C” or higher in the UH system (math courses would have to have been completed within the two year time limit).

If you have earned a passing grade for English and Math at a college outside the UH system. To see if a course meets the criteria for exemption, go to the Counseling Center in the Administration Building (AD) – 208. Why Do I Need To Take The Test? The results are used to aid in the selection of courses that are best for you. The results are also used to determine your eligibility for other courses. What Should I Bring?

An identification card with your name, photo, and UH (Banner) Number. You will not be allowed to take the test without proper identification. (We prefer a current photo Campus ID if you have one). You should receive your UH (Banner) Number upon acceptance to a University of Hawaii system institution. 

IMPORTANT! We have phased out the use of Social Security Numbers on the Compass Placement Test systemwide. In accordance with UH Executive Policy E2.214, "Social Security Number(s), and its use as an identifier shall be phased out of all existing systems." As a result, we will be using the attached "Request for UH Number" form to comply with State law and UH policy. Students who have not applied to Leeward CC but would like to take the Compass Placement Test will need to submit the completed form to the Admissions & Records office to obtain a UH number before testing.

Click here to download the Request for UH Number form.

DO NOT BRING…a calculator or scratch paper for the COMPASS math test. There is a calculator on the computer that can be used when doing the math test. Scratch paper will be provided for the math portion of the test. Where Do I Take The Test?

You may take the test at any UH Community College location. Contact the site for testing details and inform them that you will be attending LCC.

How Long Are The Tests?

The tests are not timed, so you can take as much time as you need. The number of questions is automatically adjusted as you’re taking the test. Right or wrong responses will result in either more or fewer questions. The average time to complete the test is 45 minutes for each of the three subtests: reading, writing, and math. Give yourself enough time to do your best.

When Do I Get The Results?

You will get the results minutes after you finish the test. Keep your test report and bring it with you when you attend the orientation session.

What’s On The Test?

The test is made up of three parts:

READING – answering questions about passages.

WRITING – identifying errors in grammar, punctuation, usage, and style in brief articles.

MATH – solving problems in basic math, algebra, college algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus.

To view sample test items, go to the placement test website at www.act.org/compass/index.html.

Should I Prepare For The Test? COMPASS tests you on skills and knowledge acquired over a long period of time. You are not expected to study material that you have never learned. However, reviewing can help especially if you have not taken tests for a few years or have not studied math in a while.

Leeward Community College Test Center
96-045 Ala Ike  Pearl City, Hawaii 96782
In person: BE-227 Telephone: (808) 455-0273