Frequently asked questions about the COMET

Download COMET FAQ's here

What are the COMET main and alternate criteria?

The main criteria for each level at the college are:

Degree Level

Essay >=34, and reading comprehension >= 9th grade

Achieving College Excellence (ACE)

Essay >=28, and reading comprehension >=7th grade

Certificate (ACE)

Essay >=20, and reading comprehension >=5th grade

A set of alternate criteria was also established since some students may have good reading comprehension scores and math scores, but an essay or reading score that is a little low. This alternate criteria is implemented after the first set of criteria is applied.

1. Alternate criteria applied to those students who placed into ACE after the main criteria. This is used to recommend advancing ACE level student to degree level.
   • Reading comprehension >= 10th grade
   • Essay >= 28, and reading comprehension >= 8th grade, and MS >=096
   • Essay >=42, and reading comprehension >= 6th grade, and MS >= 096
2. Alternate criteria applied to those students who placed as Certificate after the main criteria. This is used to recommend advancing a certificate level student to ACE level.
   • Reading comprehension >= 10th grade
   • Essay >= 36 and reading comprehension >= 6th grade, and MS >=096
3. Alternate criteria applied to those students who placed as non-admit after the main criteria. This is used to recommend advancing non-admit student to certificate level.
   • Reading comprehension >= 10th grade
   • Essay >= 20, and reading comprehension >= 4th grade, and MS >=096

How much does it cost to take the COMET?

The test fee to take the COMET is $5.00.

Why does the college have to use the COMET?

COM-FSM can’t accept and enroll every high school graduate or GED holder who wants to attend the college and has to make decisions on admitting and enrolling students. Having a high school diploma or GED by itself is not enough for the college to determine admissions to the college.

Additionally, most high schools in the FSM do not administer high school exit tests or comprehensive standard tests like SAT, ACT or TOEFL test to help the college make a decision about how well prepared a person who is to be admitted and do college level work. Therefore, COM-FSM developed the COMET to help identify, select, and admit students.

The COMET test scores are also used to place newly admitted students into appropriate college courses.

Who can take the COMET and when is it offered?

If you are a high school graduate or GED holder, you can take the COMET at any of the testing times offered throughout the year at each of the four campuses.

If you are a high school senior, you can take the COMET during the second semester of your senior (12th grade) year.

The test is given usually in early February to March for high school seniors.

How is the COMET scored and who scores the COMET essays?

All test answer sheets and essays are sent to the Office of the Vice President for Student Services (VPSS) located at the COM-FSM National Campus in Palikir, Pohnpei.

Reading Comprehension and Math Sections

The reading comprehension and math answer sheets are machine scored, and the scores are complied by the staff of the VPSS Office.

The Essays

The COMET essays are sent to the VPSS Office then corrected by a team of college faculty members who are trained to read and score the essay based on a scoring “rubric.” The rubric has five categories worth 0-5 points for each category for a possible overall total of 25 points.

Every essay is read and scored separately by two essay readers. The scores from the two readers are then added together for the final “essay score.”

The final combined essay scores range from 0-50 points.

How can I get the test results?

If an individual wants to see his or her score, he or she can contact the local COM-FSM campus student services.

How does the college use COMET scores?

The COMET scores are used to make decision on accepting and admitting students into the regular associate degree college programs, vocational certificate programs, and placement into developmental courses. If the student decides to attend the college, the COMET test scores are also used by the college to place underprepared students into appropriate developmental English and math courses.

How can students and schools best prepare for the COMET test?

There is no “quick and easy” way to best prepare to score well on the COMET. The goal of the COMET is to get an indication of how prepared the student is to read, write and compute at college level. His or her success on the COMET therefore is the result of the skills the student has developed from K-12. Be familiar with how to use machine scored answer sheets. Be familiar with test taking strategies for using time as well. COM-FSM also recommends test takers become familiar with essay test requirements and practice writing essays. Ask the college for a sample of the essay scoring rubric.

If I attended another college and want to transfer into COM-FSM, do I have to take the COMET to be admitted?

No, you don’t have to take the COMET in advance to be admitted to COM-FSM as a transfer student, if you have been officially enrolled at another U.S. accredited college.

While you may be admitted as a transfer student, depending on your course work and level at the previous college, you may be asked to take some or all of the COMET test sections to determine best placement into appropriate courses.

If I am a high school senior or a high school graduate and I have official SAT, ACT or TOEFL scores, can I use these scores to be considered for admissions to COM-FSM, or do I still need to take the COMET?

At this time, COM-FSM has no established policy or procedure for admitting students based only on SAT, ACT or TOEFL scores. For now, the college is handling requests on a case-to-case basis. Nonetheless, the college welcomes applications for admission and will consider your application. If you are in the FSM, plan to take the COMET. If you are attending high school outside of the FSM and plan to return to the FSM to attend COM-FSM and cannot take the COMET, you should contact the college early about your plans. You will need to submit an application, report your SAT, ACT or TOEFL scores to COM-FSM, and have an official copy of your high school transcript sent to the college.

For more information and assistance in applying from outside the FSM, please contact any of the COM-FSM state campuses, or e-mail the Vice President for Student Services at vpss@comfsm.fm or the Director of Admissions, Records and Retention at registrar@comfsm.fm.

Example Questions

Essay section
High score essay
Low score essay

Reading comprehension section
Nelson-Denny practice test
http://www.testprepreview.com/nelson_denny_practice.htm

Math section
Math example

Contact

Office of the Vice President for Student Services
College of Micronesia-FSM
P.O. Box 159
Kolonia, Pohnpei FM 96941
Phone: (691) 320-2480 extension 129
Email: vpss@comfsm.fm

 

Office of Admissions, Records and Retention
College of Micronesia-FSM
P.O. Box 159
Kolonia, Pohnpei FM 96941
Phone: (691) 320-2480 extension 150
Email: oar@comfsm.fm

The Student Services Coordinator
College of Micronesia-FSM
Pohnpei Campus
P.O. Box 614
Kolonia, Pohnpei FM 96941
Phone: (691) 320-1065
Email: jeffarnold@comfsm.fm

The Student Services Coordinator
College of Micronesia-FSM
Kosrae Campus
P.O. Box 37
Tofol, Kosrae FM 96944
Phone:(691) 370-3193
Email: ajonas@comfsm.fm

The Student Services Coordinator
College of Micronesia-FSM
Chuuk Campus
P.O. Box 879
Weno, Chuuk, FM 96942
Phone: (691) 330-2689
Email: myesiki@comfsm.fm

The Student Services Coordinator
College of Micronesia-FSM
Yap Campus
P.O. Box 286
Colonia, Yap FM 96943
Phone: (691) 350-2296
Email: cdibay@comfsm.fm