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Assessment Centre

If you are inquiring about COVID-19 testing site at VCC,  click on this link:  http://www.vch.ca/covid-19/about-covid-19/covid-19-testing.  The VCC Assessment Centre is not associated with the COVID testing site. 

 

Limited in-person computer based Math assessments available on a first come first served basis.  

Please click on the appropriate box below for more information and for alternative assessment options.  

All inquiries are only by email assessments@vcc.ca or by phone (604) 871-7093 Option 2.

 

If you require assistance with program requirements and options, please make an appointment with an Advisor by calling 604.871.7000 Option 2 or by visiting www.vcc.ca/advising.

 

*IMPORTANT*

Every student with a scheduled in-person appointment is required to complete a pre-health screening questionnaire on the day of their appointment.   The link to the questionnaire will be provided to you in your confirmation appointment email.  

 

 

 

 

English

We have found a temporary online English test option to meet your English Language requirement for most VCC programs.

 

Duolingo English Test (Please read all the information carefully)

LPN and HCA programs
VCC will not accept the Duolingo English Test. Please see an Academic Advisor for other options.

Pharmacy program
For all Pharmacy applicants, VCC will not accept the Duolingo English Test. The ABE assessment is not being offered at this time; therefore, as an alternative the ACADEMIC IELTS is being accepted.  We are not accepting GENERAL IELTS. For more information please click the following: https://ieltsvancouver.com/.

The Duolingo English Test is an online English proficiency test that can be taken online, on-demand, in under an hour for $49 US.  The test is taken via a computer (NOT a tablet, ipad or phone) with a camera and includes a proficiency score, video interview, and writing sample.  Certified results will be sent to you within 48 hours of the test session. 

 

When you take the Duolingo English Test, you must use the same email that you provided to VCC.  Also, you must request the Duolingo results to be sent directly to "VCC - Domestic Admission" as the receiving institution.  

** Before you take the Duolingo English Test, you must have a VCC ID#.  If you do not have a VCC ID#, you can submit an application to the Registrar's Office https://www.vcc.ca/applying/apply-now/  OR  schedule an appointment with an Academic Advisor by calling 604-871-7000 Option 2 or by visiting www.vcc.ca/advising. 

 

**IMPORTANT**

After you complete the Duolingo English Test, please email the Assessment Centre assessments@vcc.ca with the following information. Without this information, we will not be able to enter your scores into our student database.    

1)    Full Legal Name  (Last name and First name)

2)    VCC ID#

3)    Date of Birth  (ex. 05 January 1997)

4)    The date you wrote the Duolingo English Test

5)    The program you are applying for

6)    Your email address (Please use the same email for both Duolingo and VCC)

 

Here is the link to Duolingo English Test  englishtest.duolingo.com/applicants. There is a practice test on their site that we suggest you use to prepare for the English test.

 

Who to contact for the following:

1)  Questions regarding your results -    Please make an appointment with an Academic Advisor by calling 

                                                                              604-871-7000, Option 2 or by visiting www.vcc.ca/advising. 

 

2)  Application status -    Log into www.myvcc.ca.   

                                                 To login - your username is your VCC student ID number and if it is your first time at logging                                                                           in,  your password (PIN) is your birthdate  entered as 6 digits (mmddyy). 

                                                                    Example:  birthdate  July 6, 1989 would be entered 070689.

                                       

 

 Thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 


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.