Assessment in the subject areas of English and Mathematics are available to students who are unable to meet admission and/or course requirements based on their previous educational history.
Test sessions are normally held Monday through Friday at the Burnaby campus. Appointments can be booked from the MyAC student portal.
- English Placement Test (EPT)
English Placement Test (EPT)
Students who choose to enroll in Alexander College without documentation of English proficiency are required to complete the English Placement Test (EPT). The result of this assessment will determine whether a student possesses adequate English language and writing skills for direct entry to university-level studies. Placement test results are valid for a period of two years from the date of sitting.
If the result of the EPT indicates that a student is not prepared for university-level study in the English language, he or she may alternately be admitted to the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program. The EAP program is a full-time, integrated, intensive English and academic skills program designed to prepare students for college and university studies in the English language.
A student may rewrite the EPT once per semester (see policy: Placement Test Rewrites).
Students are placed based on their EPT score, as follows:
| English Placement Test Scoring Table |
| Score |
Course |
Course Name |
| 0-28 |
ENGL 068 |
English Foundations |
| 29-43 |
ENGL 078 |
English Beginner |
| 44-58 |
ENGL 088 |
English Intermediate |
| 59-73 |
ENGL 098 |
Academic Preparation: Lower-Advanced |
| 74-88 |
ENGL 099 |
Academic Preparation: Advanced |
| 89-100 |
ENGL 100 |
Strategies for University Writing |
- English as a Second Language Placement Test (ESLPT)
The online practice AC ESL placement test is designed to provide a student with a general indication what ESL level might be appropriate for the learner to begin their ESL study at Alexander College. The practice ESL placement test allows a student to get familiar with the testing methods of the actual online ESL placement test. The AC Placement Test is 30 minutes in length and focuses on Listening, Grammar and Speaking.
Practice Test
- Math Placement Test (MPT)
Math Placement Test (MPT)
Applicants to the College who have not completed BC Mathematics 12 (or equivalent) with a minimum grade of C are automatically placed at MATH 099 level (i.e., eligible for MATH 099).
Alternatively, students who wish to have their math level assessed may take an internal Math Placement Test (MPT). The result of the MPT will determine whether a student possesses adequate Mathematics skills for direct entry to university-level mathematics (calculus).
The MPT is offered in two formats:
1. In-person – Test sessions are held in-person at the Burnaby campus. The test duration is 80 minutes.
2. Online – Test sessions are held online via Zoom and Canvas learning management system. The test duration is 90 minutes. Only newly admitted students who have not yet arrived in Canada are eligible for the online MPT.
The MPT is scored as follows:
| Mathematics Placement Test (MPT) |
| Score |
Placement (Eligibility) |
| Part 1 |
Part 2 |
| < 15 |
|
MATH 099 |
| > 15 |
< 8 |
MATH 100 |
| > 15 |
> 8 |
MATH 104 |
| > 15 |
> 10 |
MATH 151 |
Placement test results are valid for a period of two years from the date of sitting. A student may rewrite the MPT once per semester (see policy: Placement Test Rewrites).
Test Study Guides
English Placement Test (EPT) Study Guide
Math Placement Test (MPT) Study Guide
Eligibility Criteria
In order to be eligible to rewrite a placement test, the following criteria must be observed by the student:
- A placement test rewrite must be written in between semesters.
- This period begins the day after the last class of the current term, and up to 3pm of the last day of the add/drop period for the subsequent term.
- A placement test rewrite can be written during a term so long as the student is not currently enrolled in classes for which the test has any direct bearing. E.g.: A student is not currently taking an EAP course)
- No student can write more than one (1) Test (initial placement or rewrite) in a term.
- If a student writes an English or Math placement test rewrite outside this period, for any reason other than those stipulated above, the mark of the placement test rewrite will remain with the Placement Testing Officer until the criterion above are met. Once the mark for the Test is released, the Placement Testing Officer will submit the result to the Office of the Registrar, who will make the necessary notation in the student’s file and provide a copy to the student’s Education Advisor.
How to Book a Rewrite
- The student must contact the Placement Test Administrator or Office of the Registrar to confirm their eligibility to rewrite a placement test.
- If eligible, the student must pay a $50 placement test rewrite fee to the Student Financial Services office.
- The student must see the Placement Test Administrator or Office of the Registrar to book an appointment.
If you are experiencing difficulty booking a Placement Test, or if you have any questions or concerns regarding Placement Testing, contact the Placement Test Administrator, placementtesting@alexandercollege.ca
Alternately, you can contact the Office of the Registrar, admissions@alexandercollege.ca
