You are required to apply to a program at Bow Valley College before you are eligible to book a test. If you have not applied, check our available programs, application guide, or contact our Welcome Centre.
The Admissions test and the Placement test can be completed in-person at the Bow Valley College main campus, regional campuses, or online with a virtual proctoring service called Examity. The English for Academic Purposes test and the Bridge assessment are only available in-person at the main Calgary Campus.
BOOK AN ON-CAMPUS TEST
(Calgary Main Campus)
ONLINE TESTING REQUEST FORM
(additional fees apply, see “Online testing” for more information.)
*To book an appointment at one of our Regional Campuses, please contact them by email at regional@bowvalleycollege.ca or by phone at 403-476-2233.
Preparing for the test
Applicants are given three (3) hours to complete the test. If an applicant requires additional time beyond the 3 hours, they may be required to complete the test in multiple sittings.
No, outside resources such as calculators and dictionaries are not permitted on the test. When taking the Math section, applicants will encounter select questions that allow a calculator, in those cases, one is provided on screen.
Placement Test – Upgrading Program
This is for applicants to our Upgrading program only and it is not a pass/fail test – it is simply an opportunity to see where your skills are at so that we can place you into appropriate level classes to start your upgrading.
If English is not your first language, we may recommend that you enter our English Language Learning program to improve your English skill before pursuing upgrading.
Admissions Test – Post Secondary Programs
The purpose of the admissions test is to demonstrate that you meet the academic requirements of the program you have applied for.
For example, if you have applied to a program that requires English 30 and Math 30 your English and Math test results should show that you have the reading/writing and math skills developed in those high school courses. Please note, not all Bow Valley College programs accept the Admissions test for entry, if you are unsure, please review the admission requirements outlined on the program page or refer to your email from the admissions team regarding your next steps.
The Admissions and Placement tests use Accuplacer testing software and in some cases, as well as Bow Valley College created test sections.
| Placement Test | Admissions Test |
|---|---|
|
English
Math
|
English
Math
Health Care Aide Program:English
|
Practice material can be found here: Accuplacer sample questions and preparation material. If you are completing the English portion, you should review basic essay structure and thesis statements.
Online testing
If you are unable to take the Admissions or Placement test on-campus, you have the option of completing the test through a virtual proctoring service called Examity.
In order to test through Examity, you will need valid government issued photo ID and a computer that meets the technical requirements outlined on the Examity website. Please be advised the applicant will be responsible for covering any fees required to test virtually, please refer to their website for information on cost.
*The English for Academic Purposes test and the Bridge assessment cannot be completed online.
After testing
If you have applied to the Upgrading you will receive your course placement by email, 5–7 business days after completing the test.
If you have applied to a post-secondary program, our Admissions department will send you an official response by email 2–3 weeks after you complete the test.
Test results are valid for 2 years and are only applicable at Bow Valley College. We do not share test results with other institutions, nor will we accept results from tests completed elsewhere for placement or admissions purposes.
Yes!* You can retake the admissions or placement test, but we require you to wait:
- 2nd attempt: Minimum two (2) weeks after first attempt
- 3rd attempt: Minimum three (3) months after second attempt**
**The maximum number of attempts in a one-year period is three (3), regardless of the number of programs an applicant has applied to.
Learners with disabilities
If you have a documented disability and require additional resources such as a reader or scribe, please make an appointment with an Accessibility Advisor in our Learner Success Services department. Learner Success Services is located on the first floor of the South Campus, 345 6th Ave SE, or they can be reached by phone at 403-410-1440 or by email at accessibility@bowvalleycollege.ca.
Please note, the Testing Centre can accommodate learners who require accessible furniture or additional time to complete testing. If you would like to discuss further, you can contact the Test Officer at upgrading@bowvalleycollege.ca or 403-410-1735.
