Free Tutoring For Currently Enrolled Students
Applied Academics provides a variety of free tutoring services in Math, English and Writing. This free support is available to all students as long as they are enrolled in the college.

Click on the link below to complete the Boise State Online Application for Admission.

Apply now!

The COMPASS is basic skills assessment we require you to take if you do not submit recent ACT or SAT scores.

This assessment helps us determine the courses that would be best for you to take- based on your current skill levels. We understand the stress that comes from taking this kind of assessment. Especially if you have been away from school for many years.

We do not expect you to know all of the answers. There may be many questions that you cannot answer. No matter what your scores are, you are welcome here. We simply use the scores to insure that you are not placed in courses that are too difficult, or in those that would be too easy for you.

Important: You can't fail this assessment and your scores will not be used to deny you admission to the college.

Keep in mind that some programs have specific math, reading and writing scores that you need to attain before you can be officially admitted into that program. If you do not meet the minimum scores to get into your program, we can accept you as a student in the college and provide you with tutoring support and other services to get your skills where they need to be, so you can successfully complete your program.

We encourage you to make arrangements to take the compass as soon as possible after you apply for admission. This will allow you meet with an advisor and secure your seat in a program as soon as possible.

You must come to campus to take the COMPASS assessment. It is taken on a computer. Don't worry if you have limited or no computer skills. This is a common situation for many adults returning to school. The computer system we have is very easy to use and you don't need any previous computer experience. Our staff will show you how to use it and answer any questions you have.

It takes most students about 2 hours to complete the assessment portion of the test. We advise you to plan about 3 hours to complete the process - including parking, checking in at our assessment center etc.

You will get your results immediately after you complete the assessment. Once you have the results, a educational advisor in our Enrollment Management / Student Success office will use your COMPASS scores to help you pick courses that are appropriate for your skill levels.

Testing Information:

Bring: Photo ID and cash, money order, credit or debit card to cover testing fee. Personal checks are not accepted.

Cost: There is a $15.00 fee the first time you take the COMPASS. If you want or need to retake the COMPASS there will be a $5.00 charge for each portion you retake.

You can also take a 2nd assessment called a Diagnostic that tells you what portions of the COMPASS you had problems with so you know what you need to study before retaking the test. Diagnostics cost $5.00 each.

Test Schedule:

Assessment Schedule: You can test anytime during the following hours outlined below... No pre-appointment time is needed.

Boise Campus:
1464 University Drive
Technical Services Building
Room 115
Call 426-2762

Nampa Campus:
Canyon County Center
2408 Caldwell Blvd.
Room 118
Call 426-4715

New Students
Transfer Students
The Compass Assessment
Financial Aid
Most Commonly Asked Questions