Canadian Adult Education Credential®(CAEC)
The CAEC is a high-quality, made-in-Canada high school equivalency credential that meets assessment industry standards as a replacement for the GED®. The CAEC is for adults who do not have a high school diploma but need an education credential. It enables people to get a job, advance their careers or access other training opportunities, including apprenticeships. Employers, post-secondary institutions and others can count on the CAEC as a reliable indicator of Canadian adults’ level of educational achievement.
The CAEC tests are delivered on an easy-to-use online platform. The tests will also support writers requiring access to learning accommodations.
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 in the following subject areas:
| Subject and parts | Number of questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 50 questions | 75 minutes |
| Writing | 1 persuasive writing task | 75 minutes |
| Math Part I: No calculator Part II: Calculator | 42 questions - Total 12 questions 30 questions | 120 minutes 30 minutes 90 minutes |
| Science | 35 questions | 90 minutes |
| Social Studies | 40 questions | 90 minutes |
Watch this video for more information on how tests are structured and graded:
The tests provide opportunities for candidates to demonstrate skills in communication, information processing, problem-solving and critical thinking.
CAEC testing will start in September 2024.
TESTING DATES AT SUNCREST COLLEGE
All testing occurs on-site at the following Suncrest College campuses. Tests cannot be written at home.
- NO WALK-INS - must preregister at least 24 hours in advance
- Special arrangements may be made for alternate testing times - please call 306-862-8757 to discuss other arrangements.
| Campus | Date | Times |
| Nipawin | October 21, 2024 | 9am – 3pm |
| Nipawin | October 22, 2024 | 9am – 3pm |
Eligibility
Individuals must be 18 years of age or older and a resident of Saskatchewan.
Under special circumstances, age exemptions may be approved by the provincial CAEC Administrator. The exemption form will be available once the CAEC is launched.
1. Preparing for the CAEC Test
Individuals and Testing Centres who would like to prepare for CAEC can review the test outcomes to see what you need to know and be able to successfully pass each test.
Click on each subject to try a sample test:
Mathematics
2. CAEC Testing Process
CAEC candidate account registration is now available to Saskatchewan residents. The CAEC is offered in partnership with Alberta. Links may direct you to a page on the Alberta website.
Assess your Eligibility
You are eligible for the CAEC in Saskatchewan, if you:
Are a resident of Saskatchewan
Have not completed high school or GED®
Are 18 years of age
If you are 17 years old, you can request an age exemption by emailing [email protected] for the Age Waiver Request Form.
Register for a CAEC Candidate Account
Before booking individual CAEC test sessions, you must register for a CAEC candidate account.
To register for a CAEC account, visit the CAEC website.
On the account registration page, select Saskatchewan under the Jurisdiction if you meet the eligibility criteria listed above.
Apply for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
The CAEC consists of five tests. You need to pass all five test subjects to receive a CAEC Diploma.
Individuals who have already passed some of the GED® tests can request the PLAR Form by emailing [email protected] to have the GED® tests recognized towards the CAEC for three years, until May 2027.
Determine Special Arrangements and Accommodations
Universal supports are features and tools that are embedded in the digital assessment platform and available to all candidates on all CAEC tests, including:
Screen colour overlay
Screen text highlighter
Line reader
Zoom feature
You can apply for additional support for testing. You are responsible for requesting special arrangements and accommodations in advance of your test. Documentation may be required to support your request.
Special arrangements are environmental conditions that make a candidate feel more comfortable when writing a test such as privacy screens, ambient noise, noise blockers, extended writing time and additional breaks (availability may vary by location).
Email [email protected] to request the Special Arrangements form.
Accommodations are targeted supports for candidates related to a medically diagnosed condition or extenuating circumstances such as input assistance/scribe, reader, Braille format.
Accommodation requests must be made 60 day in advance before your scheduled CAEC test. Email [email protected] to request the form for Accommodations.
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 English Reading, Social Studies, Mathematics and Science tests.
Book a Test
CAEC testing is available at testing centres across the province. Candidates are eligible to write each CAEC test subject once per month, and up to three times per calendar year. There is no fee to write the tests.
Log in to your CAEC Candidate Account.
Select the location, test(s) and day/time. You will receive an email confirming your booking.
Take Test(s) at Testing Centre
All candidates must register in advance to take the CAEC Tests.
No walk-in test takers will be allowed to write the tests.
Candidates must provide valid identification at the testing centre. Acceptable forms of identification are government-issued identification that includes date of birth, photograph, address and signature.
Examples of acceptable identification include:
A valid driver’s licence
A valid passport
Firearms licences
A Saskatchewan government issued identification card
Military and other government identification cards
Certificate of Indian Status, Métis Status cards
Get your Results
Test results for English Reading, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies will be available after two business days in your CAEC Candidate Account from the time of the test. Test results for English Writing will be available after 20 business days.
Receive Official CAEC Transcript and Diploma
An official CAEC transcript and a diploma will be sent to candidates who pass all five subject tests of CAEC or GED approximately two to four weeks after completion of all the CAEC tests.
3. GED® Transition
Will the GED® still be recognized after the CAEC is introduced?
Yes, the GED® credential will continue to be recognized. In addition to recognizing the new CAEC, employers can continue to recognize the GED® for individuals who have attained that credential.
What if you have an incomplete GED®?
Individuals who have passed some of the GED® tests will be able to apply to the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training to have the tests recognized toward their CAEC for three years up to May 2027.
Will additional GED® transcripts and diploma still be available to order?
Yes, additional GED® transcripts and diploma continue to be available to those who would like to order.
Request Additional GED® Transcript and Diploma
4. Further Information
You can contact [email protected] to get more information on CAEC testing in Saskatchewan.
Related Items
The official homepage of the new Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC).
Subject-specific released items candidates can use to prepare for CAEC tests.
Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject
The CAEC is made up of five subject tests: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. Watch this video to learn more about how the tests are formatted, written and scored.