Step 1: The basic law of magnetism: like poles repel and unlike poles attract. Step 2: The compass needle is a small magnet. Its north pole and the bar magnet's south pole are unlike poles. Step 3: Unlike poles attract, so the needle's north pole is pulled towards the south pole of the bar magnet. Step 4: Check with Earth: a compass needle's north pole points to the geographic north because Earth's magnetic south pole lies near the geographic north. Answer: It will point towards the south pole of the magnet.