We are often asked, “Can I take the CAEC Online?” Well, though the Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC) exam is an entirely computer-based assessment, it is not offered online.
The Canadian CAEC exam must be taken in person at one of Canada’s official testing centres. The exam is Canada’s high school equivalency test that replaced the GED in 2024.
The exam comprises five separate, modular subtests that can be taken one at a time and in any order. To schedule one of the tests at a testing centre, you must create an account on the CAEC website.
So, the CAEC exam is computer-based, but not available online. It is a digital assessment administered in designated test centres, not remotely.
Where is the CAEC test available?
Canada’s new high school equivalency exam, the Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC) is offered in the following jurisdictions (by alphabet):
- Alberta
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Saskatchewan
Check here -> for your jurisdiction’s contact information and CAEC webpage.
Prep resources
Whereas the exam is not offered online, you can very well benefit from good online resources, for example, the online CAEC course designed by Cansego to help you get all set fast for the challenging CAEC exam.
Be aware, however, that working with an online course requires self-discipline. Some students do better if they study in a physical classroom setting under the supervision of an instructor.
However, if you are fine with online learning, you can set your own pace, and you may get optimally prepared much faster than in a program with a set schedule.
An essential element of preparation is taking practice tests. This allows you to get familiar with the question formats and determine which subject fields require the most of your attention.
What is the CAEC?
The CAEC exam is Canada’s high-quality high school equivalency credential. It was introduced in many of Canada’s provinces and territories in 2024 to replace the GED test.
The Canadian GED test was paper-based and did not cover Canadian history, geography, cultures, government system, traditions, and values.
Therefore, it was high time to develop and introduce a Canadian-made assessment that covers these Canadian elements.
The CAEC exam meets industry standards and educational requirements from colleges and universities.
The assessment offers adults who did not complete their high school curriculum the opportunity to earn a credential equivalent to a standard Canadian high school diploma.
The CAEC diploma allows for better job options, helps them advance their careers, and provides access to professional training opportunities and apprenticeships.
Institutions of post-secondary education and employers recognize the credential as a reliable indicator of the level of educational achievement and skills of those who passed the exam.
What’s on the CAEC exam?
The CAEC exam is administered online through a user-friendly platform. The exam is tailored to the requirements and needs of Canadian adult learners and reflects Canada’s diverse cultures and perspectives.
The CAEC exam is offered in English and French and includes modular sub-exams that assess a candidate’s knowledge of these academic subject areas:
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Language Reading
- Language Writing
Practically all questions on the CAEC exam are in multiple-choice format; only the Language Writing test has an essay-writing component that is not.
On each of the five CAEC modules (individual sub-exams), you must answer at least 55 percent of all the questions correctly to meet the minimum passing standard. This counts for each CAEC subtest, and averaging is not an option.
How to prepare for the CAEC exam
If you set out on the CAEC prep path, it helps if you understand what you already know and where your focus should be. The exam is quite challenging, and proper preparation is required.
To learn that, you should take several full-length mock tests to identify the subject areas that require your attention most.
If you already understand certain areas well, it would be a waste of time to repeat those topics again, but you’ll first have to identify those areas. That’s what mock tests are great for!
You can learn at a physical prep facility and be guided by a teacher who helps you stay focused and explains everything in detail, but usually, you’ll have to follow a pre-set schedule.
If you’re good at learning independently, working with an accredited online program might be a good choice for you. The advantage of online learning is that you can decide on your own pace, which can help speed up the process.
Is the GED still recognised?
Yes, across Canada, the GED diploma continues to be recognized, and if you have alreqdy passed portions of the GED exam, you can transfer those results to the CAEC exam until March 2027. Additionally, GED transcripts and diploma copies will remain available.
In Conclusion
The CAEC test, though delivered entirely in a computer-based format, is not available online. You must come in person to one of Canada’s certified testing centres and take the five subject tests, one at a time if you wish, on a computer.
There are regions, however, that offer the exam on paper as well, so get well-informed about the policies in your province or territory.
Although you cannot take the CAEC test online, there are things you can do very well online:
- Prepare for the CAEC exam using Cansego’s online course
- Access online video lessons, practice tests, and quizzes to get ready
If you have more questions, you can check out this page with CAEC Frequently Asked Questions.