Canadian Adult Education Credential

The Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC) is a new high school equivalency program developed in collaboration with provinces and territories across Canada. The CAEC provides Canadian-made education credential that meets industry standards as a replacement for General Educational Development (GED). The CAEC will provide a reliable indicator of Canadian adults' level of educational achievement for employers, post-secondary institutions and others.

Passing GED test scores from the 2002 Canadian GED Test Series will be recognized for test exemption (and count towards the new assessment) until May 2027. A maximum of 4 subject tests may be exempt. Nova Scotia will start CAEC testing in Summer 2024.

Learn more: Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC)

Eligibility

You can take the CAEC tests if you:

  • live in Nova Scotia
  • do not already have a GED
  • are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, permanent resident applicant with a work permit or protected person as defined in Section 95 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
  • are 18 or older
  • are not currently in school
  • are sufficiently proficient in speaking and listening in the language of instruction to benefit fully from NSSAL programs

CAEC tests

There are 5 CAEC tests. The subjects are:

  • reading
  • writing
  • math
  • science
  • social studies

Test locations

CAEC tests (like the GED tests), are offered free of charge to eligible testers at computer-based testing centres through NSCC. Paper test delivery is only available in Nova Scotia Correctional Facilities.

Replacement GED transcripts and certificates

GED credential replacement will continue to be available. If you need a replacement GED transcript or certificate, complete Transcript or Certificate Replacement Form (PDF) and submit it to the GED Testing Service by email or mail.

It should take 1 or 2 weeks for your request to be processed.

Contact

Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration
Adult Education Division
PO Box 697
Halifax, NS B3J 2T8

Toll-free: 1-877-466-7725
caec@novascotia.ca
ged@novascotia.ca

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