Diagnostic Exams

Diagnostic tests in calculus and statistics will be administered for all incoming students. All students must take and pass the diagnostic exams.

Students are strongly encouraged to review the key topics in calculus and statistics prior to testing. Exams are primarily multiple choice and calculators are not permitted. Students will have 1 hour and 15 minutes to take each test.

Only students who have successfully completed prerequisite-level courses in calculus and statistics will take the diagnostic exams this summer. If you miss the testing window, you will test in late-fall and wait until next fall to take any course that requires successful completion of the calculus and statistics (prerequisites/diagnostic exams).

Successful completion prerequisite coursework and the diagnostic exams makes it easier for students to enroll in graduate level courses in the recommended sequence for their concentration.

Those students who earn low or failing grades on the diagnostic exams relative to their peers will be required to engage in self-study or take remedial coursework prior to retesting in late-fall. Avoid this and study ahead of time.

 

IMPORTANT! Please read and review the preparation details prior to testing

Diagnostic tests in calculus and statistics will be administered during the Summer. Testing dates for Summer 2023 have been posted below.


Access to Exams in Sakai
  1. Only students who have successfully completed prerequisite-level courses in calculus and statistics may take the diagnostic exams this summer. Therefore, if you have not met the prerequisites in time to take the exams this summer, your next opportunity to test will be late-fall 2023.
  2. If you do not see the diagnostic exam(s) in the Sakai site, it is because we have not received proof that you have completed the calculus and statistics prerequisites. If you plan to finish one or both prerequisites around during the testing window, please send proof of your status in the course to nsoe-registrar@duke.edu. We need to see that you are on track to earn a grade of at least C- or better, a passing grade or proof that you are on track to successfully complete a non-graded course. When your course(s) ends, you will still need to submit proof of completion
  3. Students who are almost done with their summer prerequisite course(s) may take the diagnostic exams this summer, if they feel prepared to do so. However, in this scenario, the student must be more than 75% done with their prerequisite course and on track to earn a passing grade/complete successfully. Proof of progress should be sent to nsoe-registrar@duke.edu
  4. After the exam window in summer 2023, the next opportunity to take the diagnostic exams will be in late-Fall 2023.

Review Sessions 2023

The zoom link and password will stay the same. Review sessions will be recorded.


Testing Dates 2023

All new students are expected to take and pass the calculus and statistics diagnostic exams regardless of their concentration/program area. 

Testing will open on Monday, July 10 at 8:00 AM (ET) and close promptly on Friday, August 4 at 11:00 PM (ET). Testing will occur online in Sakai. NetID login required. Access to the testing site will be granted later in the summer.

Students can take the exams at any time between July 10 – August 4. For students finishing their prerequisite courses in August, you will be able to take the diagnostic exams any time between Saturday, August 19 at 8:00 AM (ET) through Wednesday, August 23 at 11:00 PM (ET).

TIP: If you have successfully completed the calculus and statistics prerequisites, we recommend that you test between July 10 and August 4. This will make for a much smoother start to the school year, and you will not need to worry about testing during Orientation Week.

Retesting: Should you fail one or both diagnostic exams, your next opportunity to test will be late-Fall 2023. No retesting will be administered this summer/during Orientation.

IMPORTANT! Please read and review the preparation details prior to testing


Please Do Not Stress! This cannot be emphasized enough. Although we want students to do well on the diagnostic exams, please do not stress about these tests in advance. The exams are only intended to assess where students are in these subjects at the time that they matriculate, and to make sure that students are prepared for graduate level courses requiring calculus and statistics as prerequisites.


Failed the Exam(s)?

Should you fail one or both diagnostic exams, your next opportunity to test will be late-fall 2023. No retesting will be administered this summer/during Orientation.

If ENVIRON 710 is required by your concentration, and you fail to pass the statistics exam, you will need to take a remedial course, audit a remedial course or otherwise study sufficiently to improve their knowledge in statistics and earn an adequate score on a retest.  If you earn an adequate score on the retest, you will be permitted to enroll in ENVIRON 710 the next time it is offered.

If ENVIRON 520 is required by your concentration, and you fail to pass the calculus exam, you will need to take a remedial course, audit a remedial course or otherwise study sufficiently to improve their knowledge in calculus and earn an adequate score on a retest. If you earn an adequate score on the retest , you will be permitted to enroll in ENVIRON 520 the next time it is offered.


Key Topics in Calculus and Statistics

We encourage students to review the key topics in calculus and statistics over the summer. You can do this by reviewing the key topics in college level textbooks, working through practice problem sets or by taking free online courses (where available). View key topics in calculus and statistics (as well as topics in other prerequisite courses, as needed). Review materials have been included below.


CALCULUS REVIEW

Duke Resources

Non-Duke Resources

  • Students who have already satisfied the calculus prerequisite and submitted official proof of completion may consider enrolling in a Coursera course to review calculus prior to the diagnostic exam. Non-Duke Coursera courses are at the student’s expense.
  • Calculus Part I + Calculus Part II

Supplemental Online Calculus Review Courses with Study Guide 

  • Khan Academy Calculus 1; Khan Academy Multi-variable Calculus; and Study Guide for Khan Academy Coursework
  • It is likely that the content in the courses above exceeds what will be covered on the calculus diagnostic exam. The study guide above direct you to important parts of the course as it relates to the diagnostic exam. For technical questions about the Khan Academy course site, contact the Khan Academy directly.  

STATISTICS REVIEW

Duke Resources 


Preliminary Instructions

Diagnostic tests in calculus and statistics will be administered during the summer. Students can take exams at any point during the exam window.

You can decide when to take both exams during the testing window. Both exams can be taken on the same day if you choose. Before the exam window opens, we will provide you access to take a sample exam in Sakai so that you can test your internet connection and to make sure that you can navigate Sakai. Please note that limited tech support will be available over the weekend so please keep this in mind when choosing your test date(s).

The diagnostic evaluation is an advising tool to assess your background and knowledge of calculus and statistics.

Keep in Mind:

  1. You are not permitted to use books, notes, other exams or calculators during the exams
  2. Questions are primarily multiple choice
  3. You will not need a calculator for the exams
  4. You have 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete each exam
  5. The exam software in Sakai will automatically close when you reach the time limit for each exam
  6. You should save your answers frequently throughout the exam so that you do not lose your work
  7. Do not start the exam until you’re ready to complete it; remember it’s timed
  8. You are not permitted to confer and/or consult with other students, people or sources during the exam times or after you complete the test(s)
  9. Be sure to review the Best Practices for Testing before you begin


Students who do not take the exams online before arriving in the fall will have the option to take both exams in August, if they’re eligible. More details about eligibility can be viewed above. Additional questions about eligibility should be directed to
Erika Lovelace-Young, Registrar.