Bob Miller’s Math Review for the COMPASS Exam
Bob Miller has taught math to thousands of students at all educational levels for 30 years. His proven teaching methods help college-bound students succeed on the math portion of the COMPASS exam.
Written in a lively and unique format, Bob Miller’s Math Review for the COMPASS Exam contains everything COMPASS test-takers need to know. Focused, easy-to-follow review chapters cover all the pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry skills tested on the exam. Drills and examples build skills and explain key concepts.
The book includes two practice tests based on actual COMPASS test questions. Detailed explanations of answers help you identify your strengths and weaknesses while reinforcing your knowledge. Bob also gives you study tips, strategies, and confidence-boosting advice for test day, so you’ll be ready to tackle the COMPASS.
Bob Miller’s Math Review for the COMPASS is just part of the equation! REA has also developed a test prep for the verbal portion of the exam, Doug French’s Verbal Review for the COMPASS Exam.
What is the COMPASS?
The COMPASS is a computer-adaptive college placement exam used by high schools, technical schools, community colleges, and four-year colleges across the country. It evaluates the math, English language, and writing skill levels of incoming students. A high score on the COMPASS helps students advance to higher-level college classes.
For more than three decades, Bob Miller has brought his unique brand of teaching math to Rutgers, NYU Polytechnic, City University of New York, and Westfield State College. He is the author of the widely acclaimed “Clueless” series and has developed several math test preps for REA.
To The Student: A Must Read
Congratulations!!!! You are about to begin college, a new and exciting time in your
life. You are preparing to take the COMPASS®, an untimed test that is designed to
properly place you in college. In math you will be asked questions in five areas:
numerical skills and pre-algebra, college algebra (pre-calculus), geometry, and
trigonometry.
The COMPASS® has seven suggestions on its website. Here is my own list.
1. Relax! It is important to come to the exam well-rested. I suggest you do not
study the day before the test. Last-minute cramming rarely helps and usually hurts.
2. Get a good night’s sleep before the test. Eat a good breakfast. Get to the test
early so you are in a good frame of mind. If you are a slow starter, practice a few
easy math problems before the test—any problems. Dress comfortably. Make
sure you bring everything you need including an acceptable fully-charged
calculator. Bring a light snack to keep up your energy.
3. Be sure you understand the directions. Ask if you do not.
4. Since this test is untimed, read a question over until you understand it.
5. You should answer every item since you are not penalized for wrong guessing.
Since the test is computer adaptive, you must answer every question.
6. Don’t be afraid to change an answer. However, I believe you should change an
answer only if you are 100% (not 99%) sure the new answer is correct. I will use
me as an example. The last math test I ever took I changed two answers. The first
one I must have misread. I was 100% sure the new answer was correct and it
was. The other I wasn’t sure, and changed a correct answer to a wrong one!!!!
7. If you have a problem or question during the test, ask the administrator or
proctor to help, remembering they cannot answer the question for you.
All of the questions on the test are multiple-choice. In the book some of the
questions are not. Why? Sometimes you can figure out an answer from the choices.
You want to practice so that you really know the material.
You may find this book is more than a test prep. This book actually reviews most of
the topics needed for pre-calculus and calculus. If you have any weaknesses, this
book will really help to correct them. You may find some topics written in ways to
clear up problems you had or didn’t know you had in high school math.
Good luck in college and in your future!
Bob Miller
CHAPTER 1: The Beginnings
Chapter 1 Quiz
CHAPTER 2: Arithmetic We Must Know
Chapter 2 Quiz
CHAPTER 3: the Power of Exponents
Chapter 3 Quiz
CHAPTER 4: The Most Radical Chapter of All
Chapter 4 Quiz
CHAPTER 5: Vital Basics of Algebra
Chapter 5 Quiz
CHAPTER 6: Equations and Inequalities
Chapter 6 Quiz
CHAPTER 7: Words and Word Problems
Chapter 7 Quiz
CHAPTER 8: Two or More Unknowns
Chapter 8 Quiz
CHAPTER 9: Points, Lines, and More
Chapter 9 Quiz
CHAPTER 10: All About Angles and Triangles
Chapter 10 Quiz
CHAPTER 11: Other Two-Dimensional Figures
Chapter 11 Quiz
CHAPTER 12: Circles, Circles, Circles
Chapter 12 Quiz
CHAPTER 13: All About Three-Dimensional Figures
Chapter 13 Quiz
CHAPTER 14: More Algebraic Topics
Chapter14 Quiz
CHAPTER 15: All About Trig
Chapter 15 Quiz
CHAPTER 16: Topics That Don’t Fit in Anywhere Else
Chapter 16 Quiz
CHAPTER 17: Practice Test 1
CHAPTER 18: Practice Test 2
Index
Overview
Bob Miller’s Math Review for the COMPASS Exam
Bob Miller has taught math to thousands of students at all educational levels for 30 years. His proven teaching methods help college-bound students succeed on the math portion of the COMPASS exam.
Written in a lively and unique format, Bob Miller’s Math Review for the COMPASS ...