Canada has transitioned from the GED (General Education Development) exam to the CAEC (Canadian Adult Education Development) test for high school equivalency (HSE) testing in most of its provinces and territories.
The CAEC exam includes five modular sub-exams covering the academic subject areas of Mathematics, Language Arts Reading, Language Arts Writing, Science, and Social Studies.
More information is available in this video from the Calgary Learning Institute:
The exam offers Canadian adults who didn’t finish their high school curriculum another opportunity to secure a secondary education credential. Check out our post about CAEC eligibility criteria. Applicants can complete their CAEC exam at their own pace. There’s no specific timeframe for completing the five sub-exams, and test results do not expire.
Please check with your preferred CAEC testing center to see if any specific CAEC timing considerations apply to your province or territory. The Pan-Canadian CAEC exam is available in French and English.
Taking on the new CAEC exam is a challenging endeavor. Testing occurs at a level comparable to that of graduating Canadian high school students, and getting perfectly prepared is really the key to success! You can attend a prep class in your area, but these days, a few very good and accredited online courses are available, like the CAEC prep program designed by Onsego Canada for Cansego CAEC Prep.
The following is an overview of what you will encounter on the CAEC exam. However, remember that it is not a complete overview; it lists the main subject fields and topics of the CAEC exam. Click here to learn more about how the CAEC exam is scored. Note that earlier GED scores remain valid until May 2027.
CAEC Math
The CAEC Math test is 120 minutes long and includes two parts with 42 questions in total. Part 1 (30 minutes) has 12 questions, and you can not use a calculator. Part 2 (90 minutes) includes 30 questions, and you are allowed to use a calculator. So let’s see what you’ll have to understand to be successful on the CAEC Math section:
- Solving word problems
- Calculating percents and ratios
- Performing operations using fractions and percents
- Performing geometry calculations and measurements
- Data analysis, probability, and basic statistics
- Performing operations with polynomials
- Understanding exponents
- How to solve inequalities
- Solving linear equations with 1 variable
- How to solve quadratic equations
- Solving problems with binomials
- Understanding coordinate planes
- Perimeter, area, volume
- Pythagorean Theorem
CAEC Language Arts Reading
The CAEC Language Arts Reading section is 75 minutes long and includes 50 questions. To be successful on the CAEC Reading test, you must be able to:
- Identify the passage’s main idea
- Identify supporting details and secondary ideas
- Identify the purpose of the author
- Draw logical conclusions from the given passage
Key elements for success on this part of the exam are
- Reading Comprehension-Reading comprehension is essential for success in college, vocational programs, and careers. It is the foundation for effective verbal and written communication. The Canadian CAEC exam assesses a candidate’s ability to comprehend the provided information and respond effectively to texts and written communication.
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving-On the CAEC exam, you have to identify a text’s main idea and supporting details, assess argument validity, analyze and evaluate the presented information, and draw inferences or conclusions. This part assesses a candidate’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Reading comprehension, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills are essential in real-life situations, such as reading academic or professional texts and instructions, understanding contracts, and analyzing data in the contemporary workplace. Most positions require applicants to be able to read and understand industry-specific texts, technical manuals, regulations, or other written material. Well-rounded reading comprehension, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills will improve job options and professional advancement.
CAEC Language Arts Writing
The CAEC Language Arts Writing part is 75 minutes long and includes an essay. This section measures to what extent you can correctly use and apply your knowledge of:
- English or French grammar
- English or French language usage
- Punctuation and capitalization
- The subject-verb agreement in their chosen language
- Sentence structure, for example, fragments and run-on sentences
- coherence in a given passage
Well-rounded writing and reading skills, as well as the ability to comprehend and communicate effectively, are essential for continuing education and acquiring a good job.
How to Write an Essay-You will be asked to write a 5 to 6-paragraph essay to assess your writing skills and knowledge of the English or French language. Cansego offers an excellent guide to writing a perfect CAEC essay.
CAEC Science
The CAEC Science section is 90 minutes long and has 35 questions. You will see the following topics on this section of the new Canadian CAEC exam:
- Life Science, including Biology
- Basic Physics, including Force, Speed, and Acceleration
- Basic Chemistry
- Earth Science
- Space Science
- Scientific Method and Scientific Reasoning
CAEC Social Studies
The CAEC Social Studies is 90 minutes long and includes 40 questions. To be successful on the Social Studies part, you must be able to identify the main idea in the provided passages, draw logical conclusions, and identify supporting details and the author’s purpose.
The CAEC Social Studies test includes questions related to:
- Canadian History
- World History
- Canadian Government and Civics
- Geography
- Economics
Please note that Cansego provides CAEC courses online to help you pass the CAEC exam quickly. However, we do NOT offer CAEC testing! Please confirm our information with official sources to ensure you have accurate information.