CAEC Calgary Learning Adult Program

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC)

What is the Canadian Adult Education Credential?

The Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC) is a high-quality, made-in-Canada education credential that replaces the General Educational Development, or GED® in Canada. Employers, post-secondary institutions, and others can count on the CAEC as a reliable indicator of Canadian adults’ level of educational achievement.
The CAEC replaces the GED® as the basis for the Alberta High School Equivalency Certificate. GED testing was discontinued in Alberta and across Canada effective May 3, 2024.

Who is the CAEC for?

The CAEC is designed for adults who do not have a high school diploma, but need an education credential for further education, employment, or as an academic achievement indicator. In Alberta, successful CAEC test-takers may receive a High School Equivalency Certificate (not a diploma).
CAEC is a distinct academic achievement indicator and cannot be used towards a high school diploma in Alberta.

What is the difference between a high school diploma and the CAEC?

The Alberta High School Diploma requires a total of 100 credits and includes core courses such as Math 30 and English 30. This diploma is widely recognized and can be used for admission to universities.
The CAEC (Canadian Adult Education Credential) is based on four subjects: English, Social Studies, Math, and Science. A minimum score of 55% in each subject is required to earn a credential equivalent to a high school diploma.
The CAEC can be used for entry into colleges, trades programs, the Canadian Armed Forces, municipal police services, and various employment opportunities. If you are planning to pursue post-secondary education, it is important to contact the institution directly to confirm their specific admission requirements.

What subjects are covered?

The CAEC is tailored to the needs of Canadian adults and is reflective of diverse cultures and perspectives. It is available in English and French and consists of tests on Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.

Here is an overview of how many questions each test includes and how much time test takers have to complete each test.

Subjects and Parts	Number of Questions	Time
Reading	50 questions	75 minutes
Writing	1 persuasive writing task	75 minutes
Mathematics Part I: No calculator Part II: Calculator	42 questions 12 questions 30 questions	120 minutes 30 minutes 90 minutes
Science	35 questions	90 minutes
Social Studies	40 questions	90 minutes

Watch the Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC) video for more information on how tests are structured and graded.

How can test takers prepare for the CAEC?

Test takers can prepare for the CAEC by enrolling in a preparation course to better understand the expectations and format of each subject. Each CAEC subject also includes a sample exam, which helps learners assess their readiness and identify areas for improvement. In addition, CLI offers workbooks that provide targeted practice and support to help students succeed.

Here is an overview of how many questions each test includes and how much time test takers have to complete each test.

Subjects and Parts	Number of Questions	Time
Reading	50 questions	75 minutes
Writing	1 persuasive writing task	75 minutes
Mathematics Part I: No calculator Part II: Calculator	42 questions 12 questions 30 questions	120 minutes 30 minutes 90 minutes
Science	35 questions	90 minutes
Social Studies	40 questions	90 minutes

Watch the Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC) video for more information on how tests are structured and graded.

Eligibility

Who can take the CAEC?

To take the CAEC in Alberta, you must:

be a resident of Alberta.
have not completed high school or received the GED certificate.
be at least 19 years old.

Can I take the CAEC if I am not a permanent resident in Alberta?

Yes, you can write the CAEC exams if you reside in Alberta. You may use this for some immigration requirement. Please check with Immigration Canada if you have quesitons.

What identification can I use to prove that I live in Alberta?

Acceptable identification to establish a candidate’s residency in Alberta must include the candidate’s name that matches the CAEC account and proof of residency. Examples of acceptable residency identification include:

Government issued identification or document that includes the candidate’s name & address in Alberta
Alberta Health care card
Utility bill* with the candidate’s name & address in Alberta
Credit Card Statement* with the candidate’s name & address in Alberta

*Note: Utility bills and credit card statements used to establish residency must be approved by the Alberta CAEC office.

Who can request an age exemption?

Homeschoolers who have completed the Grade 12 requirements for Alberta, as indicated by Alberta Education and Early Childhood Learning.
Individuals with a conditional acceptance on letterhead to a post-secondary training or educational institution.
Individuals with an offer of employment, from an Alberta employer, that is conditional upon obtaining a high school equivalency certificate.

To take the CAEC in Alberta, you must:

be a resident of Alberta.
have not completed high school or received the GED certificate.
be at least 19 years old.

Yes, you can write the CAEC exams if you reside in Alberta. You may use this for some immigration requirement. Please check with Immigration Canada if you have quesitons.

Government issued identification or document that includes the candidate’s name & address in Alberta
Alberta Health care card
Utility bill* with the candidate’s name & address in Alberta
Credit Card Statement* with the candidate’s name & address in Alberta

*Note: Utility bills and credit card statements used to establish residency must be approved by the Alberta CAEC office.

Homeschoolers who have completed the Grade 12 requirements for Alberta, as indicated by Alberta Education and Early Childhood Learning.
Individuals with a conditional acceptance on letterhead to a post-secondary training or educational institution.
Individuals with an offer of employment, from an Alberta employer, that is conditional upon obtaining a high school equivalency certificate.

Testing Information

Where and when are tests held?

Where:
CAEC exams are written at approved testing centres across Canada such as Calgary Learning. These may include:

Adult learning centres
Colleges
Private accredited testing centres

Students must register with an official testing provider to book their exam.

When:
CAEC testing is available year-round, but dates depend on the testing centre.

Calgary Learning is opened from Monday to Saturday to write the CAEC exam.
Some centres offer weekly or monthly test sessions
Popular dates may fill quickly, so early booking is recommended

How can I register for CAEC testing?

Go the website of the province or territory, sign up and book your exam. https://caec.vretta.com/ to book in Alberta.

How much does it cost to take a CAEC test and how do I pay?

Test fees are charged per individual subject, so you only pay for the tests you schedule. The fee is $75 per subject in most centres (fees varies in provinces and test centres across Canada). Payment must be made online using a credit card (Visa, Mastercard) or Visa debit card. There are no refunds for missed tests.

Where:
CAEC exams are written at approved testing centres across Canada such as Calgary Learning. These may include:

Adult learning centres
Colleges
Private accredited testing centres

Students must register with an official testing provider to book their exam.

When:
CAEC testing is available year-round, but dates depend on the testing centre.

Calgary Learning is opened from Monday to Saturday to write the CAEC exam.
Some centres offer weekly or monthly test sessions
Popular dates may fill quickly, so early booking is recommended

Go the website of the province or territory, sign up and book your exam. https://caec.vretta.com/ to book in Alberta.

Managing Your Test

Can I reschedule or cancel a test?

You can reschedule or cancel your test(s) through your CAEC account. There maybe no refunds issued for rescheduled or cancelled tests. If you reschedule or cancel a test at least five days before the scheduled test date, a test credit will be applied to your CAEC account to use at another test date or test subject.

If the rescheduling is due to circumstances that cannot be forecasted in advance, like medical or bereavement reasons, you must contact the our office for a review. You may be required to provide appropriate documentation to support your request.

How can I get a student number?

The student’s Alberta Student Number Look up ASN, learn more about your ASN. Follow the instructions.

If the rescheduling is due to circumstances that cannot be forecasted in advance, like medical or bereavement reasons, you must contact the our office for a review. You may be required to provide appropriate documentation to support your request.

The student’s Alberta Student Number Look up ASN, learn more about your ASN. Follow the instructions.

Results and Certificates

When can I see my test results?

For English Reading, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, the test results will be available in your CAEC account after two (2) business days from the time of the test.
Results for English Writing will be available in your CAEC account after 20 business days.

How can I understand the test scores?

The minimum standard score to pass a CAEC test is 55%. Results are given as a code to indicate a percentage range. A code of ES or MS means that you have passed a subject test.

Test result codes with the percentage range:

ES – Exceeds minimum standard – 80 to 100%
MS – Meets minimum standard – 55 to 79%
AS – Approaching minimum standard – 40 to 54%
DMS – Does not meet minimum standard – 0 to 39%

If did not pass a test. Can I take the test again?

You can rewrite a test only if your test result shows a code of AS or DMS which does not meet the minimum standard of 55%. You cannot retake a CAEC test once you have passed it. A test may be rewritten after 30 days. Candidates who are unsuccessful after a third attempt must wait until the next calendar year (January to December) to take a test.

A fee payment of $75.00 is required for each retest.

How can I get a transcript of my test results?

When you successfully complete all five (5) CAEC tests, you will receive a Alberta High School Equivalency Certificate. contact Help Desk at 780-427-5318

Identification Requirements

All candidates must provide two (2) pieces of valid identification to write a CAEC test. The identification is used to establish a candidate’s identity and their residency in Alberta.
At least one piece of ID must be government issued with a recent photo. Both pieces of ID must include the candidate’s name that matches the CAEC account and have a valid date (i.e., not expired).

What can I use as photo Identification?

Acceptable photo identification to establish a candidate’s identity must be government issued and include a recent photograph, date of birth, address, and signature. Examples of acceptable identification include:

a valid passport
a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit
a Canadian military ID
a Federal/Provincial/Territorial ID
a Federal/Provincial/Territorial correctional services ID
a Secure certificate of Indian Status
a Metis Status card
a Canadian citizenship or permanent residency card
a Alberta identification card, or the enhanced identification card offered through Alberta Public Insurance agents
a Alberta firearms license

What happens if my name changes and I haven’t finished all my tests?

If your name has changed and is different from the name on the CAEC account, you will need to provide government documentation of the name change.

Supports and Accommodations

What universal supports are included in the CAEC assessment platform?

Features and tools that are embedded in the digital assessment platform and available to all candidates for all CAEC tests include:

Screen colour overlay
Screen text highlighter
Line reader
Zoom feature

How can I request additional testing supports and accommodations? What is available?

Requests for special arrangements, accommodations, and special versions must be made in advance – You are responsible for requesting special arrangements and accommodations with documentation before taking a test. You may be required to provide medical documentation.

Special arrangements are environmental conditions that make a candidate feel more comfortable when writing a test are available such as privacy screens, ambient noise, noise blockers, extended writing time, additional breaks, or other (availability may vary by location)
Accommodations are related to a medically diagnosed condition or extenuating circumstances such as input assistance/scribe, reader, Braille format, or other.

The following supports are not permitted under any circumstance:

use of a calculator on Part I of the Mathematics test
use of a dictionary, thesaurus, or translator for the English–Reading, Social Studies, Mathematics, and Science tests

Can I do the exam in French?

Yes, you can write the exam in either English or French. Contact the centre before booking We can create the French section for you.

Can I write the exam on paper?

Yes, you can write the exam on paper, however, you need to apply for accommodation and have the centre prepare the exam for you. Your answers will have to be submitted by a test proctor, so this has to be arrange 1-2 weeks before you decide to write the exam.

The minimum standard score to pass a CAEC test is 55%. Results are given as a code to indicate a percentage range. A code of ES or MS means that you have passed a subject test.

Test result codes with the percentage range:

ES – Exceeds minimum standard – 80 to 100%
MS – Meets minimum standard – 55 to 79%
AS – Approaching minimum standard – 40 to 54%
DMS – Does not meet minimum standard – 0 to 39%

A fee payment of $75.00 is required for each retest.

When you successfully complete all five (5) CAEC tests, you will receive a Alberta High School Equivalency Certificate. contact Help Desk at 780-427-5318

Identification Requirements

All candidates must provide two (2) pieces of valid identification to write a CAEC test. The identification is used to establish a candidate’s identity and their residency in Alberta.
At least one piece of ID must be government issued with a recent photo. Both pieces of ID must include the candidate’s name that matches the CAEC account and have a valid date (i.e., not expired).

a valid passport
a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit
a Canadian military ID
a Federal/Provincial/Territorial ID
a Federal/Provincial/Territorial correctional services ID
a Secure certificate of Indian Status
a Metis Status card
a Canadian citizenship or permanent residency card
a Alberta identification card, or the enhanced identification card offered through Alberta Public Insurance agents
a Alberta firearms license

If your name has changed and is different from the name on the CAEC account, you will need to provide government documentation of the name change.

What universal supports are included in the CAEC assessment platform?

Features and tools that are embedded in the digital assessment platform and available to all candidates for all CAEC tests include:

Screen colour overlay
Screen text highlighter
Line reader
Zoom feature

Special arrangements are environmental conditions that make a candidate feel more comfortable when writing a test are available such as privacy screens, ambient noise, noise blockers, extended writing time, additional breaks, or other (availability may vary by location)
Accommodations are related to a medically diagnosed condition or extenuating circumstances such as input assistance/scribe, reader, Braille format, or other.

The following supports are not permitted under any circumstance:

use of a calculator on Part I of the Mathematics test
use of a dictionary, thesaurus, or translator for the English–Reading, Social Studies, Mathematics, and Science tests

Yes, you can write the exam in either English or French. Contact the centre before booking We can create the French section for you.

What to Bring

What can I bring to the test session?

No personal items are allowed at the test station. Supplies such as scrap paper and pencils are provided to all candidates. Physical calculators are provided for Part 2 of the mathematics test.

Any personal items including cell phones, water bottles, and bags must be placed in a locker during the test session.

All electronic devices and wireless connectivity including cell phones, smart devices, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth must be turned off during testing and must be available for inspection by Alberta CAEC staff. All personal belongings will be stored in a locker.

What is provided at Calgary Learning test centre?

We provide earplugs, noise cancelling headphones, key, lock, lockers, whiteboard, paper, pen and calculator.

No personal items are allowed at the test station. Supplies such as scrap paper and pencils are provided to all candidates. Physical calculators are provided for Part 2 of the mathematics test.

Any personal items including cell phones, water bottles, and bags must be placed in a locker during the test session.

We provide earplugs, noise cancelling headphones, key, lock, lockers, whiteboard, paper, pen and calculator.

The GED

Will the GED® still be recognized as a credential?

Yes, the GED® credential will continue to be recognized as valid. In addition to recognizing the new CAEC, employers can continue to recognize the GED® for individuals who have attained that credential.

Can I get a transcript of my GED marks?

Yes, if you completed the GED® in Alberta, you can request a copy of your transcript.

What can I do if I have an incomplete GED?

Albertans who have passed some of the GED® tests from 2002 to 2024 can request to have the tests recognized toward CAEC until May 2027. Use the Prior Learning Assessment and recognition form to request recognition of your successful GED® tests. You will need to take the CAEC tests only for the subjects you are missing.

To qualify for the Alberta High School Equivalency Certificate, you will need to pass all five (5) of the subject tests. High school credits are not replacements for CAEC subject tests.

When you successfully complete all five (5) subjects using a combination of your GED and CAEC results, you will qualify for an Alberta High School Equivalency Certificate.

Yes, if you completed the GED® in Alberta, you can request a copy of your transcript.

To qualify for the Alberta High School Equivalency Certificate, you will need to pass all five (5) of the subject tests. High school credits are not replacements for CAEC subject tests.

When you successfully complete all five (5) subjects using a combination of your GED and CAEC results, you will qualify for an Alberta High School Equivalency Certificate.