The Ontario Colleges Math Test (OCMT) is aimed at addressing the numeracy gap by increasing student engagement and achievement in mathematics before students begin their college program.
The OCMT has a comprehensive diagnostic assessment that identifies the strengths and weaknesses of learners and connects them with focused, individualized remediation supports using mastery-based modules available on the web. The development of the OCMT is based upon 12 years of research conducted by the College Math and College Student Achievement Projects, jointly funded by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities in collaboration with all 24 publicly funded colleges in Ontario.
The concepts covered in the OCMT reflect those that are foundational to success in college mathematics. Further research into learning outcomes and expectations indicates that these concepts actually align to the learning expectations for students progressing from elementary to secondary studies. And yet, the increased number of remedial math courses and math supports in post-secondary, indicates that these concepts have not been mastered when students begin their college programs.
Significant field trials during the development stage (about 4,000 post-secondary college students and 6,000 secondary students throughout Ontario) allowed for the refinement of the assessment items and the remedial modules to ensure closer alignment with learning expectations. The psychometrically validated assessment items and the remedial modules reflect those foundational concepts that are necessary for success in post-secondary math courses.
This edition has been customized for use in Ontario high-schools as an informal assessment to prepare students for math success.