Academic and Placement Assessments

Applicants may be required to write an academic or placement assessment to:

• determine whether they have the required academic skills for program entrance
• determine placement in academic upgrading courses

Academic Assessment for Post-Secondary Programs

If you have not passed courses that are required for entrance into a certificate or diploma program or lack proof that you have completed the courses, you may be able to request an academic assessment.

An academic assessment is a complementary option provided to you as an alternative way to meet admission requirements. It is also an excellent way to verify your current knowledge of the specific subject area to support your success in your program. To be granted admission based on an academic assessment, you can test a maximum of twice per subject. If you are unsuccessful after two attempts, you will be required to upgrade until you obtain the levels required for that specific program.

Once your official high school and/or post-secondary transcripts have been evaluated, book an appointment with Testing & Assessment Services. If you are unable to visit Edmonton or one of our regional campuses for testing, ask about testing in your home community.

If your scores meet admission standards, these may be accepted in place of the published admission requirements.

Note: the Social Work and Arts and Sciences programs do not accept academic assessment testing in place of academic requirements.

Academic Upgrading/English Language Training Placement

When you apply for Academic Upgrading or English language programs, you may be required to complete a placement assessment. The placement assessment may include a standardized reading test, essay, and/or mathematics test.

It is not necessary to study for these tests. If you require your placement assessment in an alternative format because of a disability, we will make special arrangements for you. If you are unable to visit Edmonton or one of our regional campuses for testing, ask us about testing in your home community. Your student navigator will schedule your assessment, and your academic skills assessment advisor will contact you to discuss your results and program plan.