Assessment Testing
- Chemistry
- Developmental Studies
- English as a Second Language
- English, Communications and Creative Writing
- Substitutions and Equivalent Assessments
- Mathematics
- Modern Languages
- Office Administration
Students wanting to take a Chemistry, Communications, Creative Writing, English, Mathematics, Modern Languages or Office Administration course for the first time may be required to take an assessment to determine entry level. No fees are charged for these assessments, which must be completed before you register. Sessions fill quickly. Contact the Registrar's Office at 604-527-5478 to book an appointment for either campus. The Assessment Services Web site has an up-to-date list of available sessions. For upgrading in English or Math, phone Developmental Education at 604-527-5463 (New Westminster Campus) or 604-777-6196 (David Lam Campus).
Please note: acceptance to the College is not the same as meeting course prerequisites. Once you are accepted to the College, you must check the course prerequisites in the College Calendar and make sure you meet them.
Students may take an assessment for admission to courses and/or programs a maximum of two times within a two-year period. For most tests, there is a four month waiting period before you can do a retest. Students who believe extenuating circumstances exist may contact the Registrar to request special consideration or exemption to this policy.
Chemistry
This 1 hour assessment is no longer being offered. Please contact the Faculty of Science and Technology directly at 604-527-5471 for information on Chemistry courses.
Developmental Studies
All students who require upgrading in Math and/or English and want to take a Developmental Studies (DVST) course for the first time must complete a DVST assessment before registration. Please contact the DVST Department to inquire about assessments: 604-527-5463 (New Westminster Campus) or 604-777-6196 (David Lam Campus).
English as a Second Language
All students wishing to take English as a Second Language (EASL) courses for the first time must have an EASL Assessment before registration. Please contact the EASL Department to inquire about testing: 604-527-5463 (New Westminster Campus) or 604-777-6196 (David Lam Campus).
English, Communications and Creative Writing
Courses in English, Communications and Creative Writing are writing-intensive. Students with a final grade of at least a B in English 12, from within the last four years, may register directly into any course in these areas:
- creative writing
- workplace and practical writing
- writing skills
- literature
- academic writing
Students without the minimum recent English 12 grade of B must complete the Douglas College Computer-based English Assessment or provide a substitute or equivalent assessment (see below) before registering in any course in these areas.
For Assessment dates and times, see the Assessment Services Web site.
To book an appointment, phone the Registrar's Office at 604-527-5478.
Substitutions and Equivalent Assessments
Note: Students relying on a substitute or equivalent assessment must submit the appropriate documentation with their application.
Any one of the following equivalents may be substituted for the Douglas College Computer-Based English Assessment:
- a transcript showing successful completion of a college-level writing or literature course within the last four years
- mastery of EASL 0460, 0474, 0475 within the last four years
- a grade of "C-" or better in DVST 0450 or DVST 0455 within the last four years
- a grade of 6 or better in the examination for English Language A (Higher Level) from the International Baccalaureate Program within the last four years
- a grade of 3 or better in the examination for English - Language or Literature - from the Advanced Placement Program within the last four years
- a score from the Language Proficiency Index Test (LPI) within the last four years (see below)
- a TOEFL score of 580 AND 4.5 TWE (paper-based) or a TOEFL score of 600 AND 4.0 TWE (paper-based) or a TOEFL score of 92 (computer-based) within the last 2 years
- an IELTS score of 7 with a minimum score of 6.5 on all parts within the last 2 years.
| LPI score | LPI Scores & Writing Assessment Equivalencies |
| 5 or 6 | Minimum score of 5 or 6 on the Essay Level and a minimum score of 5 on the English Usage section and a minimum score of 10 on the Reading Comprehension section will allow registration in all first-year English, Communications and Creative Writing courses. |
| 4 | Writing Skills Review Courses (ENGL 1109 formerly ENGL 1124 or CMNS 1105) |
| 3 or below | Developmental Writing Courses (DVST and EASL) |
Note: It is your responsibility to ensure that the Registrar's Office has all of the supporting documentation needed to verify your eligibility for any course. If you know that the Registrar's Office does not have your up-to-date LPI score, high school transcript or assessment result, submit this information to the Registrar's Office before your registration date. Also note that transcripts mailed to the Registrar's Office become part of your record and are no longer available to you or Faculty Advisors. Students will not be eligible to register without satisfying assessment or prerequisite requirements.
For more information on course prerequisites and special permission, please refer to Prerequisites, Special Permission and Co-requisites.
For Developmental Education (DVST and EASL) Assessments, phone 604-527-5463 (New Westminster Campus) and 604-777-6196 (David Lam Campus)
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Mathematics
The Douglas College Computer-Based Math Assessments are a series of eight proctored Math Assessments. Arithmetic Skills 2-4, Mathematics 1-3, and Calculus Readiness 1 and 2. The assessments are designed to assess the skills that you will need to be successful in future courses which have Mathematics prerequisites as well as gain access to programs which have Mathematics admissions criteria.
You are eligible to take a Douglas College Computer-Based Math Assessment if you have NOT already taken a MATH course (offered by the Mathematics Department) at Douglas College.Although the test has 8 levels, you will begin at a level that is appropriate for your mathematics background and your goals. As you complete each level, if your score is high enough, you will have the opportunity to move up to the next assessment test level.
Begin at Arithmetic Skills 2 if you do not have an algebra background.
Begin at Mathematics 1 if you have an algebra background but do not have documentation proving that you have B.C. Principles of Math 11 with a C grade or higher, or DVST 0411 with a C grade or higher. Mathematics 1 is also suitable if it has been many years since you have taken an algebra course.
Begin at Mathematics 2 if you have documentation proving that you have B.C. Principles of Math 11 with a C grade of higher, or DVST 0411 with a C grade or higher, but would like to access courses or programs that require higher prerequisites.
Please check the details of your intended course or program area to determine the Assessment Test level and score required. If you are unsure of which level to begin at, please consult with the Registrar's Office when you book your appointment.
Students who have completed Applications of Math 12 must write the Assessment for placement.
*Please note that any course equivalencies must be approved by the Registrar's Office. For more information, phone 604-527-5478.
For more information on course prerequisites, see the Douglas College Calendar.
For Assessment dates and times, see the Assessment Services Web site.
To book an appointment, phone the Registrar's Office at 604-527-5478.
Modern Languages
Students in Modern Languages (MODL) may need permission from an instructor to register. The Registration System will not permit registration into these courses unless special permission has been entered into the System by the instructor/department prior to registration.
All MODL courses consist of two sections: lecture and labs. To be considered in the full course, you must register in both a lecture section and a lab section. Please refer to the notes under the course that you would like to register in for corresponding lecture and lab sections. Please note that all labs (except those specifically noted) start the first week of classes.
The following guidelines are intended to assist students in determining the best placement in the courses listed below. Ensure you have checked the College Calendar to confirm all course prerequisites are met.
Chinese (Mandarin)
All students taking a Chinese course for the first time at Douglas College are required to come for a placement interview prior to registering. All students without an assessment prior to registration will be de registered. Contact 604-527-5649 at the New Westminster Campus, room 3626 or at the David Lam Campus, room B3164.
French - Guidelines for Course Selection
- If you have no knowledge of French or if you took up to French 10 (inclusive) in BC, register in MODL 1101.
No assessment is necessary. - If you took high school French in BC in the last three years, refer to the chart below before registering.
No assessment is necessary. - If your background does not match the chart below, contact a French instructor for an assessment.
| If you have: | You should take: |
| BC High School French (within the last three years) |
Douglas College French |
| No French | MODL 1101 (Fall, Winter, Summer) |
| Up to French 10 | MODL 1101 (Fall, Winter, Summer) or MODL 1101-1102 Accelerated (Fall) |
| French 11 (Grade "P" to "C+") | MODL 1102 (Fall, Winter) or MODL 1101-1102 Accelerated (Fall) |
| French 11 (Grade "B" to "A") | MODL 1103 (Fall) or MODL 1103-1104 Accelerated (Winter) |
| French 12 (Grade "P" to "C+") | MODL 1104 (Winter) or MODL 1103-1104 Accelerated (Winter) |
| French 12 (Grade "B" to "A") | MODL 1111 (Fall) |
| French Immersion 12 (Grade "P" to "C+") | MODL 1111 (Fall) |
| French Immersion 12 (Grade "P" to "C+") and Assessment |
MODL 1112 (Winter) |
| French Immersion 12 (Grade "B" to "A") | MODL 2211 (Fall) |
| French Immersion 12 (Grade "B" to "A") and Assessment |
MODL 2212 (Winter) |
Marie-Claire Chinniah
604-527-5204, room 3617, New Westminster
Marie-Andree Rivet
604-527-5211, room 3626, New Westminster
Please note that MODL 1101 is the only French course offered in the evening (Fall and Winter).
German
Students with no or very little knowledge of the language may register in MODL 1131 regular format (Summer, Fall or Winter) or MODL 1131/1132 accelerated format (Fall) without assessment. All other students taking a German course for the first time at Douglas College are required to contact the instructor prior to registration to determine the appropriate level. Failure to do so will result in course deregistration.
Ulrike Ebeling
604-527-5205, Room 3619, New Westminster
Japanese
Students with no knowledge of the language may register in MODL 1171 without assessment. All other students taking a Japanese course for the first time at Douglas College are required to contact the instructor for assessment to determine the appropriate level prior to registration.
Rose Mohoruk
604-527-5200, room 3609, New Westminster and
604-777-6114 room B3164, David Lam Campus, Coquitlam.
Spanish
Students with no or very little knowledge of the language may register in MODL 1151 without assessment. All other students without prerequisites, including students from a Spanish-speaking background, will be required to contact the instructor as early as possible prior to registration, to determine the appropriate level. Failure to do so will result in deregistration.
Margarita Sewerin
604-527-5618, room 3618, New Westminster.
Office Administration
Students must provide proof of keyboarding skills speed for any Office Administration course with a keyboarding prerequisite.
The College will accept as proof of keyboarding skills speed any of the following:
- a keyboarding skills speed certificate from any educational institution or government agency
- a letter and/or copy of a five-minute timing from an educational institution, written on official letterhead or stamped with the school stamp and signed by the administrator of the test. Speed is calculated as net words per minute with two words deducted for each error.
For testing dates and times, see the Assessment Services Web site.
To book an appointment, phone the Registrar's Office at 604-527-5478.