Calculus Challenge Exam

University credit for high school math students.

High school students who learn differential calculus can claim credit at a BC university by taking the Calculus Challenge Examination. Recognized by SFU, UBC, UVic, UNBC, TWU, and the Ministry of Education, the exam is prepared by university faculty, based on the Provincial Calculus 12 curriculum. The 2018 CCE is based on the BC Calculus 12 Curriculum (2000).

The 2018 Calculus Challenge Exam was hosted by SFU on June 7, 2018. UBC will host the 2019 Calculus Challenge Exam.

 

Important Details

Calculator Policy

Graphing calculators are permitted but not needed. You can use any scientific calculator without graphing capabilities that conforms to the BC Ministry of Education's calculator policy. Learn more...

Level of Difficulty

Calculus Challenge Exam questions are based on topics covered in the Calculus 12 curriculum, but the exam is not intended to be a summative assessment for the course.

Because the exam can be used to obtain credit for a first-semester calculus course, the level of difficulty is on par with a Calculus I final exam. 

Exam Administration

The Calculus Challenge Exam is hosted by SFU and UBC in alternating years. You must register through the university hosting the exam (UBC in 2019, SFU in 2020). 

Eligibility

If you have completed or are currently registered in a calculus course in secondary school, you are eligible to write the exam. If you have completed or are currently enrolled in IB Math SL, you are also eligible. You can only attempt the exam once. Students who have already started college or university are not eligible to write the Calculus Challenge Exam.

Credit

If you pass the exam you’ll be awarded a UBC/SFU/UVic/UNBC/TWU Calculus Examination Certificate.

If you go on to register at one of these institutions, present your certificate to demonstrate completion of first-term Calculus. 

If you enrol at Simon Fraser University you can choose to be awarded transfer credit [MATH 151 (3)] or actual course credit for MATH 151.

Students already eligible for transfer credit because of high AP or IB scores will keep this eligibility regardless of their Challenge Exam score and can waive the exam score and/or credit.

Practice

A selection of past exams and practice exams are available here.

Questions

For general inquiries about the CCE, contact the Mathematics Undergraduate Assistant.

Claim Your Credit

If you passed the Calculus Challenge Exam and register for a degree program at a participating university (SFU, UBC, UVic, UNBC, TWU) you can claim your credit. You can choose to have your mark appear on your transcript, or not. (Please note that this is currently under review.)

To claim your credit at SFU, please contact the Mathematics Undergraduate Assistant.

At other universities, contact the Undergraduate Records Office or the Mathematics Department.