Calculus
Description of the Examination
The Calculus examination covers skills and concepts that are usually taught in a one-semester college course in calculus. The content of each examination is approximately 60 percent limits and differential calculus and 40 percent integral calculus. Algebraic, trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic, and general functions are included. The exam is primarily concerned with an intuitive understanding of calculus and experience with its methods and applications. Knowledge of preparatory mathematics, including algebra, plane and solid geometry, trigonometry, and analytic geometry, is assumed.
Students are not permitted to use a calculator during the CLEP Calculus exam. Beginning in January 2009, an online graphing calculator will be included within the exam software (see below).
The examination contains approximately 45 questions to be answered in 90 minutes. Any time candidates spend on tutorials and providing personal information is in addition to the actual testing time.
Knowledge and Skills Required
Questions on the Calculus examination require candidates to demonstrate the following abilities in the approximate proportions indicated:
- Solving routine problems involving the techniques of calculus (about 50 percent of the examination)
- Solving nonroutine problems involving an understanding of the concepts and applications of calculus (about 50 percent of the examination)
Topics covered by CLEP Calculus (.pdf/18KB)
Study Resources
To prepare for the Calculus exam, you should study the contents of at least one introductory college-level calculus textbook, which you can find in most college bookstores. When selecting a textbook, check the table of contents against the knowledge, skills, and topics required for this exam.
Exam Changes in January 2009
In January 2009, the examination will be revised to include two sections and an online graphing calculator.
While the skills and concepts covered will remain the same, the revised Calculus examination will contain 44 questions, in two sections, to be answered in approximately 90 minutes. Section 1 of the exam will consist of 27 questions to be completed in approximately 50 minutes. A calculator is not permitted for this portion of the exam.
Section 2 of the exam will consist of 17 questions to be completed in approximately 40 minutes. An online graphing calculator (non-CAS) will be available during this portion of the exam. Only some of the questions will require the use of the calculator.
A graphing calculator, which is integrated into the exam software, will be available to students only during Section 2 of the exam. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the calculator's functionality prior to taking the exam. The graphing calculator, together with a brief tutorial, will be available to students as a free download for a 30-day trial period.
Get more information about the calculator and download the trial version
In order to answer some of the questions in Section 2 of the exam, students may be required to use the online graphing calculator in the following ways:
- Perform calculations (e.g., exponents, roots, trigonometric values, logarithms)
- Graph functions and analyze the graphs
- Find zeros of functions
- Find points of intersection of graphs of functions
- Find minima/maxima of functions
- Find numerical solutions to equations
- Generate a table of values for a function
