Onboarding Resources
Onboarding Resources

Diagnostic Exams

The Nicholas School administers diagnostic exams in calculus and statistics during the summer. All students are required to take and pass these exams, regardless of their concentrations or degree. Before taking the exams, students must provide proof of successful completion of the calculus and statistics prerequisites. Completing the prerequisite coursework and the diagnostic exams makes it easier for students to enroll in graduate-level courses in the recommended sequence for their concentration.

We recommend that students review calculus and statistics before taking the exams. While we want students to perform well on the diagnostic exams, we do not want them to stress about them beforehand. The exams are designed to evaluate the student’s understanding of these subjects and confirm their readiness for graduate-level courses. Students cannot use diagnostic exams to waive a prerequisite.

Students who are not prepared to take the diagnostic exams this summer must take the tests in December/January and wait until next Fall to take any course that requires successful completion of calculus and statistics (prerequisites/diagnostic exams).

Students who earn low or failing grades on the diagnostic exams relative to their peers will be required to self-study or take remedial coursework before retesting in late Fall. To avoid this, study in advance.

The exams are primarily multiple-choice, and calculators are not permitted. Students will have 1 hour and 15 minutes to take each test.

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

REVIEW SESSIONS & TESTING DATES

Diagnostic tests in calculus and statistics will be administered during the summer.

  • Asynchronous Review. The Practice Tests and Modules are available on the NSOE Diagnostic Exams site in Canvas. Duke NetID login is required.
  • Live Review Sessions. Dates for the live review sessions are posted on the summer onboarding schedule.
  • Testing Window. The summer testing window is posted on the summer onboarding schedule.
  • When to Test: If you are ready to take the exams, please go ahead and do so during the summer. There will be a late-summer testing window for students completing their prerequisite coursework closer to the start of the school year. After the Summer exam window, the next opportunity to take the diagnostic exams will be in the Fall.
ACCESS TO EXAMS IN CANVAS
  • Only students who have completed prerequisite-level courses in calculus and statistics may take the diagnostic exams this summer.
  • Exams will be available in Canvas at the start of the testing window.
  • If you do not see the diagnostic exam(s) on the Canvas site, we have yet to receive proof that you completed the calculus and statistics prerequisites. If you plan to complete one or both prerequisites during the testing window, please send proof of your course status to nsoe-registrar@duke.edu. We need to see that you are on track to earn a grade of at least B- or better. When your course(s) end, you must submit proof of completion.
  • Students close to completing their summer prerequisite course(s) can take the diagnostic exams this summer if they feel prepared. However, in this case, the student must have completed more than 75% of their prerequisite course and be on track to earn a passing grade of at least B- or better. Proof of progress should be sent to nsoe-registrar@duke.edu.

Keep in Mind:

PRELIMINARY INSTRUCTIONS

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 with access to a sample exam in Canvas so you can test your internet connection and ensure you can navigate Canvas. Please note that limited tech support will be available over the weekend, so please keep this in mind when choosing your test date(s).

  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 Canvas 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 take the exams.
  10. 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 nsoe-registrar@duke.edu.
REVIEW 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

Calculus Review Sessions & Resources (Click Here)

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 

Statistics Review Sessions & Resources (Click Here)
  • Statistics Review Website and Practice Problems (designed by Dr. Betsy Albright, Applied Statistical Modeling for Environmental Management, ENVIRON 710L, Instructor)
  • Duke Coursera: Students who have already satisfied the statistics prerequisite and submitted official proof of completion may consider enrolling in a Coursera course to review statistics prior to the diagnostic exam. Duke University offers statistics courses at no cost to current Duke students. Search for course options that are covered by Duke Coursera. *IMPORTANT: NetID login is required to take the statistics and chemistry Coursera courses at Duke. Login > GO TO COURSERA FOR DUKE.  The Duke option is Statistics with R*.

Supplemental Online Statistics Review

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FAILED THE EXAMS?

Pro Tip: Please Do Not Stress! This cannot be emphasized enough. While we want students to perform well on the diagnostic exams, we do not want them to stress about them ahead of time. The exams are designed to evaluate the student’s understanding of these subjects and confirm their readiness for graduate-level courses. Students cannot use diagnostic exams to waive a prerequisite. Should you fail one or both diagnostic exams, you must retest.

If ENVIRON 710L is required by your concentration, and you don’t pass the statistics exam, don’t worry. You have the opportunity to take a remedial course, audit a remedial course, or study sufficiently to enhance your knowledge of statistics and earn a satisfactory score on a retest. If you achieve a satisfactory score on the retest, you will be allowed to enroll in ENVIRON 710L the next time it is offered, giving you a chance to prove your understanding.

If the two-part economics sequence (ENVIRON 520/521) is required for your concentration, but you fail to pass the calculus exam. In that case, you will need to take a remedial course, audit a remedial course, or otherwise study enough to improve your knowledge in calculus and earn a satisfactory score on a retest. If you earn a satisfactory score on the retest, you can enroll in the two-part economics sequence the next time it is offered. Note: Prerequisite-level courses in calculus and microeconomics are required for the two-part economics sequence.

Retesting: Should you fail one or both diagnostic exams, your next opportunity to take the diagnostic exams will be in the Fall. No retesting will be administered this summer/during Orientation.