Precalculus Placement Math Assessment (DCMA)

Fall 2024

Your Precalculus Placement Math Assessment (DCMA) will be offered in-person using Blackboard for the Fall semester. Registration must be done 72 (business) hours in advance because you will need to complete the Tech Set Up Test found under Course Content in Blackboard to ensure you have working access before your scheduled date and time. Access and completion is mandatory for you to sit your session date and time.

On this page:

Who should Write
Test Exemptions
What to bring to the test
Preparation for the test
What is on the test
Format of the test
Test result
Test policy
Test schedule
How to book an assessment

Who should write

The Douglas College Precalculus Placement Math Assessment is only for students who already have a C grade or better in B.C. Principles of Math 11, B.C. Precalculus Math 11, or B.C. Foundations of Math 11.

This test will determine correct placement in:

MATH 1101 - Basic Algebra,
MATH 1105 - Intermediate Algebra,
or MATH 1110 - Precalculus.

Back to top.

Test exemptions

Students who wish to register in MATH 1101 can do so without an assessment if they have a C grade or better in B.C. Principles of Math 11 or B.C. Precalculus 11. They may choose to write the (Precalculus Placement) Math Assessment to demonstrate that they are prepared for MATH 1105 or MATH 1110.

Students with the following can register directly in MATH 1105 or MATH 1110 (or some other MATH courses -- see Math Advising) without taking the (Precalculus placement) Math Assessment.

B.C. Precalculus 12 with a grade of B or higher (either MATH 1105 or MATH 1110)
B.C. Principles of Math 12 with a grade of B or higher (either MATH 1105 or MATH 1110)
MATU 0411 (formerly DVST 0411) with a grade of A (for MATH 1110) or a grade of C- or better (for MATH 1105)
MATU 0412 (formerly DVST 0412) with a grade of B or higher (either MATH 1105 or MATH 1110)
MATH 1101 with a grade of B- or higher (for MATH 1110) or a grade of C- or better (for MATH 1105)

Back to top.

What to bring to the test

Please bring:

your Douglas College student number, photo identification (driver's license, passport, or Douglas College student card),
A pen and pencil.

Calculators are not permitted for this test (electronic or otherwise).

Back to top.

Preparation for the test

Any book entitled Basic Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, or College Algebra can help you prepare for the test. The library has several of these books available.

For access to a practice exam, go to the Precalculus placement Math Assessment Practice Exam (PDF).

Back to top.

What it tests

The Douglas College (Precalculus Placement) Math Assessment is a test of the basic algebra skills that you will need to be successful in future Mathematics courses. The test consists of questions drawn from the following topics:

performing arithmetic operations with integers
applying the correct order of operations
determining the equivalence of fractions
calculating volumes, perimeters, or areas of given figures
simplifying: algebraic expressions; rational expressions; expressions with roots and/or positive, negative, or fractional exponents; expressions with absolute values; complex fractions
addition, subtraction, multiplication and factoring of polynomials
finding the distance between points on a plane
solving linear inequalities (with or without absolute values) and graphing the solution set
solving equations: linear, quadratic, rational, literal
finding domains of polynomial, radical and rational functions
evaluating functions
finding the equations or graphs of lines (i.e. slopes and y-intercepts)
finding the equations or graphs of circles and parabolas
solving systems of linear equations

You will be provided with formulas for the area and circumference of a circle, the volume of a box and the quadratic formula.

Back to top.

Format of the test

It is a 34 question multiple-choice test that takes approximately one hour to complete.

Back to top.

Test results

The invigilator will give you your test results once the exam is completed and marked. The test results go directly on the computerized student record system but you should keep your copy of the test results in case you must register in person for Math during the first two weeks of classes.

Assessments completed via Blackboard will normally have results emailed to you and entered onto your student record 72 (business) hours after completion.

Back to top.

Test policy

Students may take an assessment for admission to courses and/or programs a maximum of two times within a two year period, with a minimum of four months between tests. Students who believe extenuating circumstances exist may contact Assessment Services to request consideration or exemption to this policy.

Back to top.