COMPASS Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the COMPASS exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 COMPASS Exam Format at a Glance
60
Questions
150 min
Time Limit
65%
Passing Score
📚 COMPASS Topics to Study (23)
Math Pool · 10 cardsMath Pool · 10 cardsMath Pool · 10 cardsWriting Skills Practice · 10 cardsWriting Skills Practice · 10 cardsWriting Skills Practice · 10 cardsGeometry · 7 cardsGeometry · 7 cardsGeometry · 7 cardsAlgebra · 6 cardsAlgebra · 6 cardsAlgebra · 6 cardsCollege Algebra and Trigonometry · 6 cardsCollege Algebra and Trigonometry · 6 cardsCollege Algebra and Trigonometry · 6 cardsEnglish as a Second Language (ESL) · 6 cardsEnglish as a Second Language (ESL) · 6 cardsEnglish as a Second Language (ESL) · 6 cardsNumerical Skills and Pre-Algebra · 6 cardsNumerical Skills and Pre-Algebra · 6 cardsNumerical Skills and Pre-Algebra · 6 cardsReading Practice · 6 cardsReading Practice · 6 cards
✍️ Sample COMPASS Questions & Answers
1. What is 40% written as a fraction in lowest terms?
✓ 2/5
40% = 40/100 = 2/5 after dividing by the GCF of 20.
2. What is the domain of f(x) = 1/(x − 4)?
✓ All real numbers except x = 4
The denominator cannot equal zero, so x − 4 ≠ 0, meaning x ≠ 4.
3. If f(x) = 2x² − 3x + 1, what is f(2)?
✓ 3
f(2) = 2(4) − 3(2) + 1 = 8 − 6 + 1 = 3.
4. What is the slope of a horizontal line?
✓ 0
A horizontal line has no vertical change (rise = 0), so slope = rise/run = 0.
5. A circle has the equation x² + y² = 25. What is its radius?
✓ 5
In the standard form x² + y² = r², we have r² = 25, so r = √25 = 5.
6. If 0.05z = 1, then z =
✓ 20
To solve for z, you need to isolate it by dividing both sides of the equation by 0.05. So, z = 1 / 0.05. Dividing 1 by 0.05 (or 1 by 5/100) gives you 1 * (100/5), which equals 20.
🎯 Free COMPASS Practice Tests
📖 COMPASS Guides & Articles
Your COMPASS Study Path
1. Learn with Flashcards → 2. Drill Practice Tests → 3. Take the Full Exam Simulation