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Assessment Centre

English

VCC offers the following English assessments:

  • English as an Additional Language (EAL)
    • CLBPT (Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test)
    • VCC ELA (VCC English Language Assessment)
  • VCC ABE Reading and Writing assessments

 

Which assessment should you take?

A VCC advisor can help you determine which assessment you should take:

An English as an Additional Language (EAL) assessment is recommended if:

  • English is your second or additional language and you have studied ESL, transitional English or communications OR
  • English is your second or additional language and you have not studied at least 3 years of academic English in a Canadian high school 

A VCC ABE (Adult Basic Education) Reading & Writing assessment is recommended if:

  • English is your first language OR
  • English is your second or additional language and you have completed at least 3 years of academic English in a Canadian high school

*It is the student's responsibility to confirm and request the correct assessment for their chosen program/course.  Please consult with a VCC advisor for details.


There are two kinds of EAL assessments at VCC:

  • CLBPT (Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test)
  • VCC ELA (English Language Assessment)

The program you want to take will determine which assessment(s) you may need. A program advisor can help you learn which assessments you should take for your program.

CLBPT (Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test)

The CLBPT includes:

  • a reading part (30 minutes) and a writing part (30 minutes) in a classroom
  • a listening part and a speaking part with a teacher (approximately 20 minutes in a one-to-one setting)

All parts of the CLBPT are done on the same day.  Plan to be at the Assessment Centre for approximately 2 hours.

VCC ELA (English Language Assessment)

There are two parts to the VCC ELA (both are done on the same day):

  1. the written part - 3.5 hours (includes reading, writing, listening and grammar skills, done in a classroom)
  2. the speaking part - 15 mins (this is a one-to-one speaking assessment with a teacher)

Morning session – speaking is scheduled after written
Evening session – speaking is scheduled before written

A brief sample of the ELA is available here‌. A more in-depth sample is provided when you book an appointment.

All VCC ELA appointments are held at the VCC Broadway campus. Start and end times will be provided when you make your appointment.

See the VCC ELA schedule for upcoming dates


The VCC ABE Reading and Writing assessments are used together to determine your English level for placement into upgrading programs or to satisfy VCC program prerequisites. They can also be used to satisfy specific admission requirements for applicable VCC programs.

These tests assess reading comprehension, vocabulary, composition, usage, word choice, etc. Samples are below.

The VCC ABE Reading assessment is completed over one hour and the VCC ABE Writing assessment is completed over one hour & 45 minutes. You may write both assessments on one day or you may complete them over two sittings.

Those completing the VCC ABE Reading and Writing assessments for admission into the VCC Pharmacy Technician program complete both the VCC ABE Reading Assessment and the VCC ABE Writing sample only. The VCC ABE Writing Sample is completed over 45 minutes. 

Please note: completion of both the reading assessment and the writing assessment are required to determine an English level.

Please contact program advising to determine whether or not you need an assessment.

Samples

 


To request an appointment for a VCC assessment, you need the following 3 pieces of information:

  •  The name of the VCC course or program you want to get into
  •  The name of the VCC assessment you need
  •  A VCC ID number (usually 9 digits and begins with '000')

If you do not have these 3 pieces of information, please speak with one of the following advisors:

If you would like to do a VCC assessment for another institution, please contact the Assessment Centre with the name of the assessment and the name of the institution or organization.

*It is the student's responsibility to confirm and request the correct assessment for their chosen program/course.  Please consult with a VCC advisor for details.

 

Schedules for the VCC ELA vary and include daytime and evening appointments.

Demand can be high for this assessment. Book early to make sure you meet your registration deadline.

 

There are several ways you can request an appointment for the VCC ELA:

The assessment fee must be paid to finalize an appointment. We will call you to arrange payment and secure a date.  For security reasons, please do not share credit card information in an email or voice mail.

After payment is made, you will be sent an email confirmation with all appointment and location information, as well as a sample for practice.

 

There are two parts to the VCC English Language Assessment:

  1. VCC ELA written part - 3.5 hours
  2. VCC ELA speaking part - 15 mins

Morning session – speaking is scheduled after written
Evening session – speaking is scheduled before written

All VCC ELA appointments are held at the VCC Broadway campus. Start and end times will be provided when you finalize the appointment.

 

External students 

Please get a referral letter from the receiving institution confirming they will accept the results of the VCC ELA. 

If you complete the ELA appointment request form, please select 'other' as your program of interest and write in the name of your institution.

When you come to write the assessment, please bring:

  • Government issued photo identification (ie: valid passport, PR card, driver's license, etc)
  • The referral letter from your institituion

* Students interested in ESL Pathways:  

Please apply first to ESL Pathways at the Registrar's Office before booking an appointment for the CLBPT.  

 

To request an appointment for a VCC assessment, you need the following 3 pieces of information:

  •  The name of the VCC course or program you want to get into
  •  The name of the VCC assessment you need
  •  A VCC ID number (usually 9 digits and begins with '000')

If you do not have these 3 pieces of information, please speak with one of the following advisors:

If you would like to do a VCC assessment for another institution, please contact us by phone or email with the name of the assessment and the name of the institution or organization.

*It is the student's responsibility to confirm and request the correct assessment for their chosen program/course.  Please consult with a VCC advisor for details.

Schedules for the CLBPT vary and include daytime and evening appointments.

Demand can be high for this assessment. Book early to make sure you meet your registration deadline.

 

There are several ways you can request an appointment for the CLBPT:

The assessment fee must be paid to finalize an appointment. We will call you to arrange payment and choose a date.  For security reasons, please do not share credit card information in an email or voice mail.

After payment is made, you will be sent an email confirming all appointment and location information.

 

CLBPT for external students 

Please get a referral letter from the receiving institution confirming they will accept the results of the CLBPT. 

If you complete the CLBPT appointment request form, please select 'other' as your program of interest and write in the name of your institution.

When you come to write the assessment, please bring:

  • Government issued photo identification (ie: valid passport, PR card, driver's license, etc)
  • The referral letter from your institituion

 


To request an assessment for a VCC course or program, you need the following 3 pieces of information:

  •  The name of the VCC course or program you want to get into
  •  The name of the VCC assessment you need
  •  A VCC ID number (usually 9 digits and begins with '000')

If you do not have these 3 pieces of information, please speak with one of the following advisors:

*It is the student's responsibility to confirm and request the correct assessment for their chosen program/course.  Please consult with a VCC advisor for details.

Additional Information:

  • Assessment fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable. Payment can be made with cash, debit card, or credit card.
  • Personal cheques are not accepted for payment.
  • Completion of both the Reading and the Writing assessments are required to determine an English level.
  • All on-site assessments are delivered at the VCC Broadway campus

On-site ABE reading & writing assessment:

  • VCC ABE Reading and Writing assessments are offered several times each month. See the schedule for available dates.
  • Photo identification is needed to enter the assessment room (ie: valid passport, driver's license, PR card, BC Service Card, etc.).
  • Latecomers will not be able to enter the on-site assessment room.

**NEW APPOINTMENT PROCESS**

You must make an appointment and pay the fee in advance for all ABE Reading & Writing assessments

See the schedule for available appointment dates.

There are 2 ways to request an appointment:

  1. Email us – assessments@vcc.ca, or
  2. Call us – 604.871.7093, option 4

Provide us with the following information:

  • Name of the assessment(s) you need
  • Name of the VCC Program or Course you are trying to get into
  • Your preferred assessment date (see the published schedule)

We will contact you to finalize a date and arrange payment. After payment is made, you will receive an email confirming all appointment details and location information.

If you do not know the name of the assessment or the name of the VCC Program or Course, please speak to a VCC Academic Advisor – 604.871.7000, option 2 or vccadvising@vcc.ca

 

 

Off-site ABE reading and writing assessment - outside the BC Lower Mainland:

If you live outside the BC Lower Mainland and need to do our assessments to get into a VCC program, we can mail our VCC ABE Reading and Writing assessments to your local college.

  • Contact Student or Assessment Services at your local college (or reasonable equivalent) and get the name of the contact person who is willing to supervise the assessments for you. This could be an instructor, an assessment centre proctor, etc.
  • Complete the request for supervision for off-site assessment form‌. Have your test supervisor complete their section of the form.
  • Once completed, please scan and email the form to assessments@vcc.ca. 
  • We will contact you to finalize payment and provide further information.

The test package will then be forwarded to the receiving institution attention to the test supervisor. 

All testing materials must be returned by the test supervisor either by Canada Post Xpresspost or by courier with a tracking number.  It is the applicant's responsibility to cover the courier cost.  

A fee of $40 per assessment and an additional $20 processing fee will be charged before the test package is sent out.

Fees are payable by credit card, a certified cheque, or money order. Assessment fees and processing fees are non-refundable.


*On January 02, 2019,  the new assessment and rescheduling fees will come into effect*

 

Assessment fees are non-refundable.  * Fees are subject to change *

Fees are payable by cash, debit card, or by credit card, at the time of booking. 

 

VCC ABE (Adult Basic Education) - English assessments (on-site)                  

$40 - Reading                          
$40 - Writing                           

 

VCC ABE (Adult Basic Education) - English assessments (off-site)             

$40 - Reading                          
$40 - Writing                            
$20 - off-site processing fee        

 

English as an Additional Language assessments (CLBPT, VCC ELA)          

$80 - VCC student                    
$120 - External candidate         

 

To reschedule your VCC ABE, ELA or CLBPT appointment, we require 48 hours-notice to avoid a $25 rescheduling fee. 

 


Assessment results are confidential and valid for one calendar year.  ABE and EAL assessments may be re-written every four months.

Duplicate results letters can be generated at an additional fee. Call 604.871.7000, ext. 7094 or email us for more information.