Simon Fraser University

Calculus Readiness Test

About the Calculus Readiness Test:

The prerequisite set by the SFU Department of Mathematics for the first Calculus courses are:

MATH 151 is BC Principles of Math 12 (or equivalent) with a grade of at least A, or Math 100 Precalculus with a grade of at least B, or a satisfactory score on the Calculus Readiness Test.

MATH 150 is BC Principles of Math 12 (or equivalent) with a grade of at least B+, or Math 100 Precalculus with a grade of at least B-, or a satisfactory score on the Calculus Readiness Test.

MATH 154 or 157 is BC Principles of Mathematics 12 (or equivalent) with a grade of at least B, or MATH 100 Precalculus with a grade of at least C, or a satisfactory score on the Calculus Readiness Test.

Note that, if your BC Principles of Mathematics 11 and 12 grades are both less than 70%, in accordance with SFU admission requirements, you may also need to first pass the Q Placement Test or take the course FAN X99.

If you are unsure whether your mathematics knowledge is sufficient to succeed in the Calculus course of your choice, or if your mathematical background is not recent, we strongly recommend that you take the Calculus Readiness Test, or at least try the Practice Calculus Readiness Test.

Since you are allowed to take the Calculus Readiness Test only once, we recommend that you become familiar with the list of Calculus Assessment Topics that underlie the questions which may appear on the test, and that you attempt the Practice Calculus Readiness Test that is provided for your guidance before you actually take the Calculus Readiness Test. Note that, for the purpose of the Calculus Readiness Test, we treat the end of an Add-Drop period as the beginning of the next semester.

If you want to take the test, you should:

  1. Activate your SFU ACS computing account.
  2. Access the following webform to register for the test: http://webform.sfu.ca/form/math.test.registration.
  3. Write to qtest@sfu.ca with Calculus Readiness in the subject line to schedule the test.  All tests are taken at the Burnaby Campus. Please include your full name and student number and send the message from your SFU email account.

You must bring a picture ID when you come to take the test. You will have 1.5 hours to complete the test. Please note that you will not be permitted to bring any electronic devices to the test site, but the software you will be using will allow you to access a basic four-function calculator if you should wish to do so.

There are 30 questions on the test. To be admitted to MATH 151, you must answer at least 24 questions correctly. For the other Calculus courses, the passing score is 20.