San Francisco State University

Department of Mathematics

Calculus Pretest

Please read the directions thoroughly before starting the test.

To meet the prerequisites for Math 226: Calculus I, you must do one of three things:

• Pass Math 109 or another precalculus class taken in a college or university with a grade of C or better. If you took Math 70 at SF State you MUST follow this option.
• Pass the on-line pretest that starts on this page. If you took Math 70 at SF State you MAY NOT follow this option.
• Obtain the permission of your instructor.

If you have not taken a college precalculus class, then this test is designed to help you decide if you are ready to take Math 226. The test has 14 questions, and you will be allowed up to 50 minutes. You may take the test as often as you like, but only once a week. Each time you take the test the questions will be different and you will be limited to a 50 minute time period.

You earn one point for each question you get right and lose 0.3 points for each wrong answer. Wild guesses are likely to count against you, so only answer questions when you think you know the right answer.

If you score 10 or higher, you are definitely ready for calculus. If you score between 8 and 10, you may take calculus but you should also enroll in one of the Calculus Workshops (SCI 226) to give yourself some extra help. A score below 8 indicates that you would benefit from a precalculus course like Math 109 before taking calculus. Past student experience indicates that lack of preparedness is a key cause of failure in calculus. If you need a preparatory class, it is better to find out now than part-way through the semester.

If you feel that your score does not truly reflect your readiness for calculus, you may discuss your situation with your instructor. This test is advisory, but instructors are authorized to drop students who score below 8.

When you finish the test, the computer will show you a screen with your score and an analysis of your results. An official e-mail receipt of your score will be sent to the e-mail address you enter below. You must print the e-mail receipt and bring it to the first day of class as evidence that you have passed the pretest. If you are going to a new student orientation session, you should take this pretest first and bring the results to the orientation. If for some reason you do not receive your e-mail receipt, check with the Mathematics Department office. Department staff may be able to recover your score from a database of pretest scores.

Before starting the test, you need to give us some information so we can associate your score with you.

Stop. Relax. Take a deep breath. Make sure you have lots of scratch paper, some pens or pencils, and a scientific calculator ready to use. When you are ready, click here to .