Overview
Edfinity Compass is a modern, highly customizable placement testing solution designed to accurately assess and place students across mathematics curricula—from developmental algebra through calculus and beyond. Institutions can deploy our well-calibrated, out-of-the-box placement test immediately, or opt for customization tailored to their specific course sequences and student population—particularly valuable for large enrollment courses.
Placement Methodology
Compass provides research-backed placement recommendations across common mathematics pathways and can be deployed immediately upon adoption. For institutions seeking alignment with specific curriculum structures, placement recommendations can be further calibrated in direct consultation to match institutional course prerequisites and standards. The system can place students into any level of the mathematics sequence based on institutional requirements.
Test Design and Administration
Test Structure:
- 30-40 questions per assessment
- Designed for administration in 3 hours or less
- Fully randomized question selection from curated pools
- Each student receives a pedagogically equivalent but uniquely generated test on every attempt
Institutional Controls: All test parameters are configurable by the institution, including:
- Number of allowed attempts
- Timing constraints
- Retake policies
- Access windows and scheduling
Diagnostic Capabilities and Remediation
After each placement attempt, Compass automatically generates a diagnostic analysis of the student's knowledge state, identifying which concepts the student has mastered and which represent gaps in understanding.
Prerequisite Review (Optional): Institutions may enable targeted remediation based on diagnostic results. This feature provides students with:
- Pinpointed instructional material addressing identified knowledge gaps
- Practice assessments on specific deficient topics
- Focused review prior to retaking the placement test
The remediation component is fully customizable to align with institutional preferences and available resources.
Implementation Options
Immediate Deployment: Institutions can begin using Compass immediately with pre-configured placement thresholds.
Custom Calibration (Optional): For institutions requiring alignment with specific curricula—especially those with large enrollment courses—Edfinity offers bespoke calibration over approximately 3-4 weeks. This process includes:
- Analysis of curriculum pathways and course sequences
- Assessment of student population characteristics
- Calibration of placement thresholds and recommendations
- Post-deployment refinement based on institutional feedback
Following deployment, placement algorithms and thresholds can be further adjusted as needed based on institutional data and outcomes.
Harvard University Case Study
We recently worked with Harvard University to develop a math placement testing solution tailored to their needs. The case study below was authored by a Harvard instructor and is unedited.
- Background: Harvard University's Department of Mathematics offers two options for Calculus 1: a traditional one-semester approach and a two-semester course that incorporates precalculus topics. In the last ~10 years, a growing population of incoming students have calculus proficiency but significantly lack mastery of core precalculus concepts, which causes immediate difficulty across multiple courses that list this material as prerequisite. Historically, a June online placement exam has issued non-binding recommendations and students combined this with self-assessment and departmental advising to make first course selections.
- Problem: Since 2020, we have witnessed a growing number of students whose precalculus and algebra fluency is severely limited and who struggle to self-assess to select their courses. This has resulted in an unprecedented rise in our D/F/W rate in both Calculus 1 options, though more significantly in our 1-semester course, as students overplaced when course selecting. This has the most substantial impact on students hoping to concentrate in quantitative fields, particularly coming from under-resourced high schools that were least able to navigate the effects of the pandemic.
- Use of Edfinity: We authored a 23-question skill check to act as a verification of students' placement recommendations. It was proctored in-person with activation code and question randomization for students intent on taking math who were initially recommended for either Calc 1 course (~550 students). The skill check focused on critical algebra and precalculus concepts necessary for success and measured the current state of these skills. Results were used to issue more specific recommendations or a binding requirement to enroll in the 2-semester course or a new corequisite. The possible outcomes were: (1) required 2-semester+corequisite course, (2) required 2-semester course, (3) strongly recommended 2-semester course, (4) recommended 2-semester course, (5) student choice of course, (6) recommended 1-semester course.
- Impact: We have been able to offer more detailed recommendations and requirements based on current student performance. Importantly, we identified students for whom 1-semester Calc 1 was not a workable option, given their precalculus performance, as well as a subset of students whose algebra performance indicated they would be best supported in our new corequisite course. Some students requested individual meetings to discuss results; sharing full transparency of our testing, individual performance, and expectations of the courses has allowed students to gain understanding of our courses and insight into the current state of their mathematical skills. Many have spoken highly of the skill check's information and its utility in making course selections in their first college math course.