This post is based on an article published by Dr. Richard Jones (RMJ Assessment) from Richmond Hill, Ontario, on June 25, 2024.
For decades, U.S.-based GED Testing Service had distributed the GED exam across Canada. In 2023, however, Canadian jurisdictions were informed the organization would no longer offer the GED test in Canada, effective May 3, 2024.
The main reason was that the delivery platform of the Canadian GED test version (the 2002 series) was too expensive to maintain. In the U.S., GED Testing Service introduced a new, computer-based examination format in 2014. However, the Canadian version was still paper-based, and developing a new and updated GED test version for just the Canadian market was too expensive.
The Canadian version of the GED dated back to 2002, and the technology for scoring the exam was old and no longer supported by the parent company. The Canadian jurisdictions using the GED exam asked GED Testing Service for updates, but the U.S. company asked for additional funding to do the upgrades.
Why a New Exam?
Already at an earlier stage, several years ago, a Canadian group comprising GED administrators in all Canadian provinces/territories where the GED test was administered (the Canadian GED Caucus) had identified the requirement to update the Canadian test or replace it altogether, the main reasons being:
- The GED context did not align with the Canadian perspectives of Indigenous, Francophone, or multi-cultural communities.
- Many topics assessed on the GED test were no longer relevant in the contemporary workplace environment and did not reflect the need for more emphasis on critical thinking and reasoning skills.
- The Canadian GED exam was paper-based, and there was a clear need and desire to bring the Canadian High School Equivalency (HSE) test in line with contemporary technology requirements and modernize the exam to become an interactive assessment, including new technological tools and digital support.
So, a few years before GED Testing Service decided to end the Canadian GED test, the Canadian GED Caucus proposed that the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) start researching the option of developing a new, fully Canadian-based HSE exam.
CMEC selected a proposal developed by Alberta Education, and in 2021, the development of a new Canadian HSE exam started. Alberta’s initiative for a new digital system started in 2021-22 and included the requirements for administering a Pan-Canadian adult-based assessment.
The CAEC Exam
Like the GED test, the CAEC (Canadian Adult Education Credential) allows adults without a high school diploma to earn their provincial HSE (high school equivalency) diploma. This credential offers access to post-secondary education, better employment, and professional training opportunities. Check our eligibility requirements page to see who is eligible for the exam.
The CAEC test is available in both French and English. Students who have previously already passed parts of the GED test can use their test results toward the CAEC test until May 2027, and GED credentials continue to be recognized.
The CAEC exam was developed in collaboration with and is used in the following provinces and territories: Alberta, Northwest Territories, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. British Columbia introduced its Adult Graduation Diploma (Dogwood) Program in 2014, and it is not clear when BC will introduce the CAEC exam. Yukon may follow BC.
Alberta Education’s CAEC team played a leading role in developing this new high-quality, Canadian-made adult education credential, but everything was done in close cooperation with and contributions from other jurisdictions.
The CAEC Testing Service, based in Alberta, delivers and maintains the CAEC exam across Canada, and the services include, besides developing and marking the CAEC and making sure the digital testing platform works flawlessly, the following aspects:
- Administering the CAEC exam and supporting both computer- and paper-based testing formats.
- Marking the exam’s written response questions and providing scoring and reporting.
- Maintaining the top-of-the-line IT system to guarantee a contemporary computer-formatted, interactive testing experience.
The new Canadian CAEC exam is tailored to Canadian adults’ requirements and needs. The exam is aligned with what higher learning institutions expect and what employers require applicants to know to be successful in the contemporary job market.
Better than the GED test, the CAEC exam focuses on diverse Canadian cultures and historical perspectives and reflects Indigenous, Francophone, Anglophone, and multicultural communities. It is fully computer-formatted, with a paper-based option in most jurisdictions as well.
What’s on the CAEC Test?
The CAEC comprises the same five subject-matter tests as the GED. Read also our post about what’s on the CAEC exam by subject test. The number of questions and time allotments are provided for each test in the table below:
| Subject Test | Time | Number of Questions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language Arts Reading | 75 minutes | 50 questions | |
| Language Arts Writing | 75 minutes | Essay | |
| Math Part 1 (no calculator | 30 minutes | 12 questions | |
| Part 2 (with calculator | 90 minutes | 30 questions | |
| Science | 90 minutes | 35 questions | |
| Social Studies | 90 minutes | 40 questions | |
For success on the CAEC test, getting well-prepared is a must, and it can be a challenge to pass the five-test assessment. Students can find physical prep sites in their areas, but if they can study independently, signing up for an accredited, comprehensive CAEC online prep course is also a great option.
Onsego has designed an online CAEC prep course for Onsego Canada to get students all set for the challenging examination in no time! The advantages of online learning are obvious: students can learn when, where, and what they want. The five CAEC subtests can be written separately, so prepare for one section, pass that sub-exam, and move on to the next subject.
CAEC Scoring
The CAEC Math, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts Reading tests are machine-scored. Test-takers can access their test approximately after two business days. The CAEC Language Arts Writing test (the essay) is hand-scored, and test-takers can access their results after approximately 20 business days.
At least two independent CAEC Testing Service markers will score the CAEC Language Arts Writing test. If their scores are within a 2-point range, the average of their scores is the final result. If their scores exceed the 2-point range, a third scorer will mark the essay, and the final result is the average of the two highest scores.
Candidates can request their CAEC Language Arts Writing test to be re-scored, but there’ll be a fee, varying by jurisdiction and test center. Accommodations are available to qualifying candidates, but applications should be made in a timely manner. Accommodations are subject to approval by the jurisdictional administrator.
Candidates who fail to pass CAEC subject tests can take those sections again. However, they can retake a subject test only once a month and no more than three times a year. And month and year mean calendar month and calendar year!
Conclusion
The CAEC (Canadian Adult Education Credential) assessment has replaced the discontinued GED exam in Canada. This new Canadian-made, high-quality HSE credential offers adult learners who did not finish their regular high school curriculum the opportunity to earn a certificate that is equivalent to a common Canadian high school degree.
CAEC testers in participating Canadian jurisdictions who complete the CAEC receive a high-school equivalent certificate. This credential is important for employment, further education, and professional training opportunities.
This post is based on Dr. Richard Jones’ article from June 25, 2024 (RJM Assessment, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada). Click here to read Dr. Jones’ full article. Dr. Jones has extensive experience in educational program evaluation and assessment, having worked in this field for over 35 years.