Who is the CAEC exam for?
The CAEC (Canadian Adult Education Credential) exam is geared toward adult learners who have not completed high school and are looking to secure a high school equivalent education credential. Upon completing the five CAEC modules (independent sub-exams), applicants are rewarded a diploma that indicates they have mastered skills and knowledge at the level of Canadian high school graduates.
The diploma allows for post-secondary education, better employment, and job advancement. CAEC applicants must be Canadian citizens and residents of their respective province or territory. CAEC exam candidates must be at least 18 years old and have no high school or equivalent diploma. In some jurisdictions, applicants 17 or even 16 years old may also qualify if they meet special circumstances.
What is the New Canadian Adult Education Credential CAEC?
A new Canadian-made adult education credential has replaced the GED test in Canada. Per May 3, 2024, the GED test for HSE (high school equivalency) testing is no longer available in the country. Canada has designed its own Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC), which provides a top-notch education credential that has replaced the GED exam. This transition does not affect the validity of already completed GED diplomas.
The new CAEC (pronounced ‘cake’) exam includes, like the GED, five modular, independent subtests that cover the academic subject areas of Science, Math, Language Arts Reading, Language Arts Writing, and Social Studies.
Whereas the Canadian GED exam was offered exclusively in a paper-based format, the CAEC exam is available on a computer or on paper (in most jurisdictions). Testing can be done in English and French.
What is a CAEC?
CAEC (Canadian Adult Education Credential) refers to both the exam and the diploma that students receive when they successfully complete the five sub-exams that make up the CAEC exam.
The five independent CAEC subtests are modular, meaning you can write them one at a time and in any order. To learn more about the CAEC exam’s subject matter, read our post “What’s On The CAEC Test.”
As mentioned, the CAEC test is for adults without a high school diploma. The secondary education credential enables them to get decently-paying employment, advance their current position, enter college or university, or access professional training opportunities or apprenticeships.
How to Prepare for the CAEC Test
Preparation for the CAEC exam can be done at brick-and-mortar sites across Canada, and the official CAEC website also offers support. However, for students with busy schedules, a good online prep course like the one designed by Onsego Canada offers many advantages as well and may offer the best and fastest solution.
Cansego has developed a comprehensive, affordable online CAEC prep course through Onsego Canada that covers every CAEC exam topic. Working with an online program allows you to study when, where, and what you want, putting you in the driver’s seat. You control your progress, saving you a lot of time and money.
How to get a CAEC?
You can get your CAEC diploma after passing the five standardized tests of the new Canadian Adult Education Credential exam. The five sub-exams are independent modules covering Language Arts Reading, Language Arts Writing, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. The Canadian provinces and territories issue the CAEC diploma.
The CAEC passing standards require candidates to attain at least a 55% correct score on the five modules. You can take the modules in any desired order and, if you like, one at a time. Retakes can be written up to three times per calendar year.
Is CAEC a Replacement for GED?
Yes. The CAEC (Canadian Adult Education Credential) has replaced the Canadian GED (General Education Development) diploma. The CAEC is Canada’s new high school equivalency (HSE) program, developed in cooperation with other Canadian provinces and territories.
GED diplomas remain valid, and students who have already passed parts of the GED test in Canada can use these results toward the new CAEC until May 3, 2027.
Who is the CAEC for?
Like the GED, the CAEC is for adults who don’t hold a high school diploma but would like to secure a secondary education credential for employment purposes or to open doors to post-secondary educational institutions and professional training programs.
Will the GED still be Recognized?
Yes, the GED diploma holds its validity. It will continue to be recognized and accepted in lieu of a common high school degree. Most Canadian colleges and universities require a high school degree for admission, but more and more of these schools also accept the new CAEC or a GED for their admissions procedures. However, the ability to get accepted into a university or college with a CAEC or GED depends on the school and the province.
What if you have Completed Parts of the GED?
If you have taken and passed parts of the Canadian GED exam, you can transfer your results to the new CAEC exam. Be aware, however, that this transition period ends three years after the new CAEC was introduced, so you have until May 3, 2027. Now, three years may seem like a long period of time, but we urge you to complete the CAEC as soon as you can!
Online learning is a proven method to accelerate your preparation efforts and get all set for the (remaining parts of the) CAEC exam. Cansego has developed an affordable, award-winning, comprehensive CAEC preparatory program that covers all elements of the new Canadian HSE (high school equivalency) exam. The program will get you all set for success on the CAEC exam in no time!
Where was the CAEC Developed?
The CAEC program was developed in Alberta in collaboration with other provinces, employers, post-secondary education institutions, and providers of apprenticeship programs.
So, Canada’s new high school equivalency testing program was entirely developed in Canada! The CAEC program aligns with what Canadian adult learners need and expect, and Alberta’s government played a leading role in developing the new exam and replacing the GED test.
Where is the CAEC already Implemented?
The CAEC program was introduced in most of Canada in 2024, but certain provinces and territories have their own implementation schedules and timelines. British Columbia, for example, already bid farewell to the GED test in 2014 and uses its own Adult Graduation Diploma Program (Dogwood), and Quebec is still working on finalizing the process and implementing the CAEC exam.
The CAEC has already been adopted and implemented in Alberta, Manitoba, and New Brunswick. Saskatchewan, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, and Ontario will follow soon. Please note, however, that a full introduction and implementation might take some time.
Notice: We focus on providing yop-notch online CAEC courses, but we do not provide the actual CAEC exam. We aim to support you in passing the CAEC exam fast and efficiently. However, confirming the above-listed information with official CAEC sources is essential for accuracy.