Readiness Evaluation

Are you Calculus Ready?

If your degree program is a Calculus-Program, you should know that taking Calculus will require knowledge and facility in precalculus topics. If you’re not quite sure if you are ready for Calculus, this page provides you with tools to self-assess your readiness level. In particular, it contains a list of topics that you are expected to know and carry out, a practice test, and a more formal diagnostic test. When you complete the diagnostic test, you will be given general feedback based on your performance on the test and you will also be given suggestions on what you can do should you find yourself lacking in some knowledge and skills for Calculus.

Note that your performance on this test has no bearing on your future grade in college. It is purely formative and recommendatory. But, you are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to take this test albeit voluntary.

Pre-Calculus Topics

Here are the mathematics topics that one is expected to know as you take Calculus.

Basic Computational and Algebraic Skills

Operations on numbers (integers, fractions, decimals)
Factoring
Algebraic representation and manipulation
Solving equations (linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational)

Equations and Inequalities

Linear inequalities
Interval notation
Nonlinear equations and inequalities
Equations and inequalities involving absolute value
Systems of equations

Functions and Their Graphs

Domain of a function
Operations on functions
Graphs of basic functions
Transformations of graphs of functions
Piecewise functions

Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Inverse functions
Graphs of exponential and logarithmic functions
Properties of logarithms
Exponential and logarithmic equations

Trigonometry

Sine and cosine functions
Graphs of sine and cosine functions
Other trigonometric functions
Basic identities
Inverse trigonometric functions
Trigonometric equations

Sequences

Basic concept of sequences
Arithmetic and geometric sequences
Arithmetic, geometric and infinite geometric sequences

If you want to review the content of these topics, materials found below can be a good starting point.

Browse the Review Materials HERE

Calculus Readiness Practice Test

If you want to try your hand at solving some exercises under precalculus, you can try answering this test. It is a 30-point multiple choice test. This exam is not timed and you can take it more than once. The correct answers will be provided after you submit the exam to enable you to self-check your work.

Take the Practice Test HERE

Calculus Readiness Diagnostic Test

We also want to invite you to take a Diagnostic Test. Much like the Practice Test, it is a 30-point multiple choice test that covers some of the pre-requisite calculus skills.

The Diagnostic Test differs from the Practice Test in the following ways:

You have to use your @student.ateneo.edu email account to gain access to the test.
This test is timed. You will be given 2 hours to take the exam.
After completing the test, your score out of 30 will be given via email but the questions and correct answers will not be shown. Instead, you will be given feedback on your calculus readiness and suggestions for enhancing your calculus readiness based on your score.
This test will only be available until July 16, 2025.

Some tips before answering this test.

Make sure that you have paper and pen or pencil to serve as your scratch paper for solving. You can also use ordinary calculators, or ordinary scientific calculators. Graphing calculators and online solvers are not recommended since these are tools that we do not allow during regular assessments.
Allot 2 hours for taking this test, although it is definitely possible to finish in less time.
If you come across an item that you are completely unfamiliar with, we suggest that you leave it blank instead of making a random guess so that you will be given a more accurate evaluation of your skills at the end of the test.

Take the Diagnostic Test HERE

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