The Department of Mathematics invites all students to participate in the Calculus Readiness Exam (CRE). The results of this exam are purely advisory and non-binding.

The CRE is intended to gauge a student’s level of preparation for first semester calculus at the university level. Students not interested in taking calculus in college or who have previous credit for calculus through AP, IB, or Cambridge exams are not required to complete the CRE. Only students who are interested in enrolling in MATH 121: Calculus I should take the CRE. Students having transfer or AP credit for MATH 121: Calculus I and wishing to enroll in MATH 122: Calculus II should feel free to do so.

To take this test, self-enroll by following the join this course link to the right.

Note: Students who have completed an AP calculus sequence but are still waiting on exam scores should complete the CRE. This way the advising team has the information during first-year orientation in June. If AP scores indicate placement in MATH 122 instead, schedule adjustments will be made on a case-by-case basis with the assistance of the chair of the Department of Mathematics.

In order to succeed in calculus, the Department of Mathematics recommends a certain level of competency in three important pre-calculus areas: algebra, trigonometry, and exponential/logarithmic functions. Through a short 15-question multiple-choice exam, the CRE will test the student’s competency in these areas and make one of the following recommendations:

Student is ready to take MATH 121: Calculus I
Student is encouraged to review certain material before registering for MATH 121: Calculus I
Student should take MATH 111: Pre-calculus before registering for MATH 121: Calculus I

Calculators are not permitted during the exam, and there is a 30-minute time limit for completion. Recommendations are made upon completion of the exam and will be emailed to the student’s UMW account. In addition, the scores will be made available to the student’s academic advisor and the chair of the Department of Mathematics.

If you have any questions about this test, please send a descriptive email to:

Dr. Julius Esunge

Chair, Department of Mathematics

jesunge@umw.edu

Note: There is a separate and optional Calculus Placement Exam for determining a student’s readiness to start in second-semester Calculus (MATH 122) but without credit for MATH 121. This is a written exam that new students may take on the Friday before classes begin. If a student is content with earned credit for a calculus course through AP, IB, or Cambridge exams, there is no reason to take the Calculus Placement Exam. In the rare event that a student does not have credit for MATH 121 yet still wishes to begin in MATH 122, s/he is encouraged to take the Calculus Placement Exam.