Placement Tests for Calculus I B.C. Colleges, University Colleges and Universities Name of Institution University of B.C.I.T. Capilano College

Contact Person & George Bluman David Sabo Peggy Tilley Ted Bentley E-Mail [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Do you Use a Placement Test for No Yes Yes, with less than a B in Yes Calculus I? Math 12 If yes, is it used for Not mandatory for those with Mandatory, with less than a B Mandatory except for: a) mandatory the required prerequisites. in Math 12 students with at least a B in Mainly for advising. The test both Princ. Math 12 AND placement or varies according to the Calc. 12 within 12 months, b) advising? program sought by the students with an A in Princ. student. Math 12 within 12 months, c) students who've completed a post-secondary pre-calc. course within 12 months What placement test(s) are you Internal Internal Locally developed using? How long have you been using the 15 years 5 years Approx. 5 years placement test? Comments We tried placement tests years The tests are reliable for our A follow-up on success rates The test seems to "work" in ago and found them useless purposes (identifying in Math 100 (Calc. I) 2 years the sense that it: a) nets out when correlating with final inadequate math background ago showed students with B in Math 12 conscientious students to do website, www.math.ubc.ca and follow the prompts. had a 70% chance of passing some preparation prior to the Math 100. Similar results course. apply to our Math 115 (Pre- calc.) Placement Tests for Calculus I B.C. Colleges, University Colleges and Universities Page 2 Name of Institution University College of the University College of the Kwantlen University College Cariboo Fraser Valley Contact Person & Dave Tomkins Susan Oesterle Susan Milner Casey McConill E-Mail [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Do you Use a No, but we have a No, but we have a Placement Test for No prerequisite B in Math 12 for prerequisite B in Math 12 for Yes Calculus I? Calc. I. Calc. I If yes, is it used for Mandatory if student has a C mandatory or C+ in Math 12 (a C- or lower in Math 12 requires placement or precalculus). advising?

What placement Internal, administered through test(s) are you the Admissions office using? How long have you been using the > 10 years placement test? Comments We have some informal tests We are struggling with low We are experiencing low we give students to help them success rates in Calc. I. A success rates in Calc. I in understand what they should good placement test would: spite of the placement test. know entering calculus. a) improve the current Are looking at other options. success rates b) be useful for placement of transfer students. If we could find a good placement test, we would use it. Placement Tests for Calculus I B.C. Colleges, University Colleges and Universities Page 3 Name of Institution University of Northern British Columbia Contact Person & Dave Lidstone Slava Simice Jennifer Hyndman Larry Legault E-Mail [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Do you Use a Placement Test for Yes Yes No Yes, during the first week of Calculus I? class If yes, is it used for Math 12 grade determines mandatory placement in Calc. I (3 It is used if it is not clear if the Advising different streams). Those student has the prerequisite. placement or lacking prerequisite are placed advising? using a Diagnostic test.

What placement Test is made up of 48 test(s) are you Internal questions from Math 12 final Self-developed using? exams (3 hours) How long have you been using the 21 years 5 years 13 years placement test? Comments Used rarely Probably a good idea to See our website institute a placement test as www.langara.bc.ca/mathstats/ our Calc. I failure rates are mdt/ high. Placement Tests for Calculus I B.C. Colleges, University Colleges and Universities Page 4 Name of Institution

Contact Person & Jim Bailey Neil Coburn Malgorzata Dubiel David Leeming E-Mail [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Do you Use a No, but we have a Placement Test for No prerequisite C in Math 12 for Yes No Calculus I? Calc. I. If yes, is it used for All students entering Selkirk We also require a B or better mandatory (ABE diploma and transfer in Princ. Math 12. The students) write a Placement (assessment) test placement or computerized placement test is used only if students want advising? (CPT) which, in part, tests prerequisite waived. Math skills. What placement The CPT uses AccuPlacer by test(s) are you Educational Service (part of External using? U.S. College Board) How long have you been using the 3 years > 15 years placement test? Comments The CPT test is used to Our calculus passing rate We are considering a advise students with course improved dramatically with B placement test as one option selection. For info. on prereq. requirement. We to reduce the high failure AccuPlacer go to offer a precalculus course for rates in Calc. I. www.accuplacer.com students who are not eligible CPT is a useful diagnostic for calculus tool for ABE and diploma programs - not evident if it will do the same for Calculus Courses.