High School Diploma Equivalency: CAEC Replaces GED in Canada
In May 2024, the General Education Development (GED) tests stopped being offered across Canada. The Canadian Adult Educational Credential (CAEC) has officially replaced the GED for high school equivalency testing in Canada, marking a significant shift in adult education and credentialing.
The CAEC is designed to provide a more comprehensive and flexible assessment of an adult learner’s academic abilities and skills. It encompasses a broader range of content and competencies, aligning more closely with current educational standards and workforce requirements, and may be used for college admissions and career paths requiring proof of high school-level knowledge.
For homeschoolers across Canada, this change brings both new opportunities and considerations. The CAEC offers an evaluation of a student’s capabilities in five subject areas. Passing all five subjects of the CAEC test gives students a high school equivalency diploma. Homeschooling parents and students should familiarize themselves with the CAEC’s requirements and structure to ensure they are adequately prepared.
CAEC vs. GED – What’s Different?
- Developed in Alberta, Canada, the CAEC is Canada’s new high school equivalency exam.
- The same five subjects are tested as in the former GED exam: Language Reading, Language Writing, Social Studies, Science, and Math.
- There are now two parts to the Math exam – a component with a calculator and one without a calculator.
- The CAEC exam is available in both computer-based and paper formats, whereas the Canadian GED test was paper only.
- The CAEC exam includes content about Canadian diversity and Indigenous perspectives that was not included in the former GED exam.
Practice Tests
Want to know what kind of questions are on the CAEC tests? Go to the CAEC website and practice with a sample test.
Implementation Across Provinces and Territories
The new CAEC exam will be introduced across most Canadian provinces and territories with specific implementation plans and timelines. As of September 2024:
- Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland & Labrador, and Northwest Territories have already adopted the CAEC, though full implementation might require additional time.
- The CCÉA is not offered in Quebec.
- British Columbia has not offered the GED test since 2014 and has its own program, the Adult Graduation Diploma Program, which the Yukon also uses.
- If you passed any Canadian Test Series GED test after 2002, you can apply to have the results count towards CAEC tests in the same subjects until May 2027.
The best place to find more information about the CAEC is the government website of the province or territory in which you reside (see links below). Look for details about the CAEC, which include eligibility requirements, exam content, preparation resources, and how to register for the assessment. You will also find contact information on your government website to get questions answered about taking the CAEC tests or other similar government-supported high school equivalency testing.
Similar to the GED, you should confirm directly with prospective employers, post-secondary institutions, and others that the CAEC meets their job or admission requirements.
Provincial Links for High School Education Credentials and Testing
While the majority of Canada used the GED tests for granting high school equivalency credentials and are now using the CAEC tests, there are some provinces and territories that have other avenues to obtain proof of high school-level knowledge. The list below includes government links to online information for high school equivalency testing for each province and territory.
British Columbia – Adult Graduation Diploma Program (BCAGD)
Alberta – CAEC
https://www.alberta.ca/canadian-adult-education-credential
Saskatchewan – CAEC
Manitoba – CAEC
https://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/all/caec/index.html
Ontario – CAEC
https://www.ontario.ca/page/adult-learning-canadian-adult-education-credential-caec
Quebec – Adult General Education
https://www.quebec.ca/en/education/vocational-training-adult-education/adult-general-education
New Brunswick – CAEC
Nova Scotia – CAEC
https://novascotia.ca/programs/canadian-adult-education-credential/
Prince Edward Island – CAEC
Newfoundland & Labrador – CAEC
https://www.gov.nl.ca/education/adult-literacy/caec-high-school-equivalency/
Nunavut – Pathway to Adult Secondary School (PASS)
Northwest Territories – CAEC
https://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/en/services/adult-education-and-literacy/high-school-equivalency-tests
Yukon – BC’s Adult Graduation Diploma Program (BCAGD)
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College & Career Guide 2025
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