Find answers to common questions about preparing for your assessment, what to expect on assessment day, and what happens after.
Getting Started
1. Determine which assessment you need.
Learn more about each assessment and book your appointment:
2.听Register for your assessment.听听
Once you have registered, add the date to your calendar and make sure you have enough time to complete it:
- English, Math, and Fine Furniture: about 3 hours
- Trades Math: up to 1.5 hours
3. Prepare for your assessment.
Review your skills with our聽study materials.
Read the FAQs below for information about what to expect.
Need help?
Our Student Navigators can help you with choosing the right assessment and understanding your next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I take my assessment?
It depends on the option you chose when registering:
- Option A 鈥 Assessment & Testing
- In-person:听听Lansdowne campus, Dawson building, room 209.
- Online with ProctorU: Wait to receive your ProctorU voucher code by email, and use that code to schedule your assessment on the ProctorU website. We issue voucher codes every Friday, and ProctorU offers appointments 24/7.
- ProctorU charges 28 USD to use their service, plus an additional fee if you wish to schedule less than 72 hours in advance.
- Option B 鈥 Access Assessment:
- In-person: Centre for Business & Access building, room 109.
- Online: Connect with your assessor via Microsoft Teams.
- Option C 鈥 English Language Development (ELD):
- In-person:听听聽Centre for Business & Access building, room 134.
- There is currently no online option for the ELD assessment.
- If you have opted to write at one of our Community Learning Partnership (CLP) sites, you will be writing at their address or online. Contact your CLP agency for more information.
I have academic accommodations. How can I access support for my assessment?
If you only require additional time or to split up your assessment across multiple days, contact the Assessment Centre at assessment@camosun.ca or (250) 370-3597. We will work with you to adjust the appointment(s) accordingly.
For all other accommodations, please register with the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL)聽first. They will arrange an intake interview to discuss your accommodations and determine whether you are best suited to write at the Assessment Centre or CAL.
Can I drop in when I want to take an assessment?
We do not offer drop-in assessments. Space is limited and not all assessments are given at the same time.
Can I take an assessment if my high school grades do not meet program requirements?
Yes, we will accept whichever result is higher.
I have results from an assessment at another institution. May I use those at Camosun?
It depends, as some external assessments may not meet the admission requirements at Camosun. Please send a copy of your official results to聽assessment@camosun.ca and we will let you know.
During the Assessment
How much time do I have?
English, Math, and Fine Furniture: 3 hours
Trades Math: 90 minutes
Trades Math Cook: 75 minutes
If you are registered with CAL and have time accommodations, you will be given additional time.聽
Do I write my essay on computer or on paper?
Assessments at the Assessment & Testing Centre are completed on a computer using a tool called Accuplacer.
If you are taking the English assessment, you can choose to handwrite your essay instead of typing it. However, the first two sections (multiple choice) must still be done on the computer.
I鈥檓 not sure how to write an essay. Is that ok? How can I prepare?
You don鈥檛 need to know how to write an essay before your assessment. We use the essay to help聽understand your writing skills so we can place you in the right course to support your success.
If you would like to review essay writing before your assessment, have a look at the聽essay sample guide.
Can I bring in my own calculator for my Math or Trades Math assessment?聽
Math: You cannot bring your own calculator. For some questions, a built-in calculator will appear on the screen. For all other questions, you can use scrap paper to work out your answers.
Trades Math: Calculators are not allowed for any part of the assessment. You can use scrap paper to work out your answers.
Can I bring in a dictionary during my assessment?
No, dictionaries or translation tools are not permitted.
English assessment: If you have trouble understanding the reading, you may want to complete the or instead.
Math assessment: If you find the questions hard to understand, do the best you can. You can prepare by reviewing common math vocabulary and operations 鈥 see our study guides.
Can I leave the room during the assessment?
Yes, you can take a washroom break (just let us know when you are leaving the room).聽Keep in mind that you won鈥檛 have access to your personal belongings during the assessment 鈥 they will be stored in a locker.
After the Assessment
When will I get my results?
English assessments are reviewed by the English Placement Counsellor first, then results are emailed to you within 2-5 business days.
Math, Trades Math, and Fine Furniture results are emailed within 1-2 business days.
How do I get my results?
The Assessment Centre will email your results and add them to your Camosun College student record. We do not provide results over the phone.
Are my assessment results final?
Assessment results are final. If you do not achieve your desired result, you may reassess after 4 months or take upgrading courses at Camosun.
How long are my assessment results valid?
There is no expiry date on your assessment results. However, if you haven鈥檛 taken an assessment for several years, it is recommended that you reassess to get an accurate reflection of your current skills.
What do I do after I get my results?
Inform Admissions that your assessment results are now ready. They will be able to access your student record, including your assessment results, and provide you with the next steps based on your program of choice.
You may also wish to contact a聽Student Navigator聽for assistance with enrolling into upgrading courses.