The Skills Appraisal is used by certain programs to determine whether you are ready for post-secondary courses by assessing your reading and writing skills. Your program may also require you to be tested in mathematics.
The test is an important step in the admission process for students who wish to:
- enrol in a credit program,
- enrol in the English Communications course, or
- enrol in English literature courses.
The Skills Appraisal Exemption Chart lists the programs that require applicants to write the Skills Appraisal OR those that provide an exemption.
Exemptions
Some programs offer exemptions to students who meet criteria such as minimum marks in high school courses, English as a second language test scores (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS), or previous post-secondary courses. Find details in the Skills Appraisal Exemption Chart.
Taking the test
It is important that you write the test as soon as possible after applying to a program so that a decision on your admissibility can be made quickly.
Schedules
Test sessions are scheduled throughout the year.
Call 780-497-5015 for more information about these schedules.
If you live more than 200 kilometres from Edmonton, you may write the test in your own community. Refer to the Supervision form in the Skills Appraisal brochure.
Test format
The test takes approximately four hours to write. For details on the test format (sample questions, timing, etc) download the Skills Appraisal brochure.
Fee
$50, non-refundable.
Register for the test
- Phone: 780-497-5000
- Fax: Submit the Supervision Form on page 3 of the Skills Appraisal Brochure
Results
After you write the test, you will receive a Skills Appraisal Results Letter. This letter will inform you whether you have met the required skill levels. If you have not, the letter will indicate whether:
- you are required to complete Academic Development courses, or
- if it is recommended that you take the Academic Development courses. If we recommend that you take the courses, you are not required to take them, but you should seriously consider taking them to prepare yourself to succeed at the university level.
The results of the appraisal are generally valid for two years. After two years, you must write the appraisal again.
For more information on your Skills Appraisal test results, call 780-497-5015.
Rewriting the test
Normally, you have only one chance to write the appraisal. Exceptions are sometimes made if there is reason to believe you could do better. If this is so, arrange to see a student advisor or your program chairperson. If you receive permission to rewrite portions of the appraisal, be sure to specify which tests you will rewrite when you register.
Academic development courses
Any required academic development courses listed on your Skills Appraisal Results Letter must be completed before you can begin your program. The courses you may be required to take are:
- ENGL 089: Fundamentals of Writing
- READ 089: Reading Development II
- MATH 089: Introductory Mathematics
You can search for details of the courses, including dates and course descriptions, in our course database.
Note: Applicants seeking acceptance to one of MacEwan University's credit programs shall be required to write the specified university admissions tests except as exemptions are specified by program admissions criteria.
