The Canadian Adult Education Credential, or CAEC, is Canada’s new top-quality high school equivalency diploma that meets industry requirements and educational expectations.
The CAEC exam is entirely computer-based and replaced the outdated and paper-based Canadian GED exam in early 2024.
The CAEC exam consists primarily of multiple-choice questions. Only the CAEC essay, as part of the CAEC Language Writing subtest, is not in the multiple-choice format.
Like the GED test, the CAEC exam offers adults who did not complete high school the opportunity to earn an education credential recognized and accepted by post-secondary schools and employers as equivalent to a standard high school diploma.
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The credential enables adults to advance their careers, secure a well-paying job, attend college, or access professional training programs, including apprenticeships.
Five modular CAEC subtests
The CAEC exam includes five modular, independent sub-exams that reflect Canada’s diverse perspectives and cultures. The exam is tailored specifically to the requirements and needs of Canadian adults.
The exam can be taken in English or French and consists of five independent tests that can be taken in any order and, if preferred, one at a time.
The CAEC exam measures academic proficiency at a level similar to that of high schoolers upon graduation. The five modules cover these subject areas:
- Language Reading
- Language Writing
- Science
- Social Studies
- Mathematics
The CAEC exam is challenging, and students are advised to prepare thoroughly without relying on outdated GED study materials.
Large portions of the CAEC exam do not compare with the content of the former Canadian GED test, which included no Canada-specific content.
Preparation classes with instructors are available across Canada, but an increasing number of CAEC students prefer to prepare with a high-quality online course, such as the CAEC course developed by Cansego (see our review here), so they can study where and when they prefer.
CAEC passing scores
To pass the CAEC exam, you must reach passing scores on each of the five modular subtests. Averaging is not possible.
To pass each CAEC subtest, you must answer at least 55 percent of the questions correctly.
This percentage is the minimum you must reach to meet the passing standard for the five CAEC sub-exams.
Although the CAEC exam is entirely computer-based, you must write the five sub-exams in one of your province’s official test centres. You cannot take the CAEC exam online!
Four CAEC scoring ranges
The new Canadian Adult Education Credential Exam has four scoring ranges.
If you do not meet the Minimum Passing Standard (0-54 percent correct answers), you must retake that subtest.
• 80-100% = ES (Exceeds Minimum Standard)
• 55-79% = MS (Meets Minimum Standard)
• 40-54% = AS (Approaching Minimum Standard)
• 0-39% = DMS (Does Not Meet Minimum Standard)
You can retake each of the five subject tests once per month, and maximally three times per calendar year.
It is not possible to retake a subject test you already passed, and each retake requires payment of the testing fee again (if applicable in your province).
Can I use a calculator?
The use of a calculator is only allowed on Part Two of the CAEC Math subtest.
Please check with your regional testing centre to confirm which calculators are permitted in the testing room; graphing calculators are not allowed.
Several calculator types are approved for use on Part Two of the CAEC math test, including the Texas Instruments TI-30XS, T30IIS, TI-30Xa, and the CASIO fx-260 and Casio fx-300 MS Plus 2nd edition. These are examples only; please check with your testing centre.
Please note that calculator cases are not allowed in the CAEC testing room, and other calculator materials cannot be used either.
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The computer-based CAEC exam
The five CAEC modules (independent subtests) are delivered on a very user-friendly online platform. The tests are entirely computer-based with questions in a multiple-choice format, except for your CAEC essay.
Thanks to computer-based testing, you can access your testing results after only two days in your CAEC account, with the exception of your essay, which requires around twelve days.
The exam also supports test-takers who require test-taking accommodations. Accommodations may include, but are not limited to:
- Extra time
- Braille
- Supervised breaks as needed
- Reader
- Paper-based testing, if needed
How to request an accommodation
If you require an accommodation, take a look at these steps you should take:
- Create your account with vretta.com.
- Log in to the CAEC portal.
- Check the left navigation menu and select “Accommodations Request.”
- Click on “Request Accommodation.”
- Then, you must upload the supporting documentation, including any relevant comments.
- By clicking “Confirm,” you submit your request for an accommodation.
Your province or territory’s CAEC representative will review your accommodation request to determine which accommodation(s) need to be provided based on your documentation.