The CAEC is a new adult education credential to replace the GED®, which is no longer available in Canada, effective May 3, 2024. You can achieve a High School Equivalency Diploma through the Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC).
It is intended for adults who do not have a high school diploma and are looking to pursue:
- employment opportunities
- further education at colleges or universities
- apprenticeship or skills training programs
- personal or professional development
Eligibility
To obtain your High School Equivalency Diploma through the CAEC, you must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have been out of school for at least 10 consecutive months
- Pass all 5 CAEC tests (available in English or French):
- Reading
- Writing
- Science
- Social Studies
- Mathematics (Part I and Part II)
- Have an Alberta Student Number: Call 780-422-9337 for your Alberta Student Number.
Registration
To register for a CAEC test, follow these steps:
- Obtain your Alberta Student Number (ASN) from Alberta Education.
- Create an account on the CAEC digital platform.
- Log in to the platform to schedule your test at Keyano College and pay the required testing fees.
Testing Schedule and Location
Testing takes place in room 152 of the Bob Lamb Building, Clearwater Campus, Keyano College.
You can view the scheduled dates, and fees when you log into your CAEC account.
48 hours is required for exam cancellation.
Testing Accommodations
The CAEC is designed to be supportive of candidates who benefit from accommodations and supports.
Special arrangements are environmental conditions that make a candidate feel more comfortable when writing a test without impacting the legitimacy of the administration. Complete the CAEC Special Arrangement Request Form and submit it to the testing centre where you plan to take the CAEC test.
Accommodations are targeted supports for candidates that are related to a medically-diagnosed condition or extenuating circumstances. Complete the CAEC Accommodations Request Form and submit it to the Alberta CAEC Administrator at edc.caec@gov.ab.ca.
Test Subjects and Format
All tests are available in English and French. Tests are available in the following subject areas. Here is an overview of how many questions each test includes and how long you have to complete each test.
| Subject and Parts | Number of Questions | Time |
| Reading | 50 Questions | 75 Minutes |
| Writing | 1 Persuasive Writing Task | 75 Minutes |
| Math | 42 Questions | 120 Minutes |
|
12 Questions | 30 Minutes |
|
30 Questions | 90 Minutes |
| Science | 35 Questions | 90 Minutes |
| Social Studies | 40 Questions | 90 Minutes |
Passing Score
To pass a CAEC test, you must achieve a minimum score of 55%.
Test results are available through your profile on the CAEC digital platform within the following timeframes:
- Reading, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies: approximately 2 business days
- Writing: approximately 20 business days
If you do not receive a passing score, you may retake the subject test once per calendar month, up to a maximum of three attempts per calendar year. Tests that have already been passed cannot be retaken.
A test fee is required for each attempt.
Once you successfully pass all five CAEC tests, Alberta Education will issue your High School Equivalency Diploma. The diploma is typically mailed within 4 to 6 weeks after you complete your final passing test.
For More Information
Contact Us
Bob Lamb Building
8115 Franklin Avenue
Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada T9H 2H7