Student Achievement & Testing
Assessment Highlights
- On international tests, Alberta students scored the highest marks in the world in reading and were among the top three in science and mathematics. (PISA Results)
- Alberta’s 13 year-old students have achieved the highest marks in the country in science, according to national test results. (PCAP Results)
Achievement Tests
In May and June, students across the province in Grades 6 and 9 write provincial achievement tests in reading, writing, mathematics, social studies and science. Students in Grade 3 write tests in reading, writing and mathematics.
Provincial achievement tests are intended to complement classroom-based assessment. While some school boards mark the tests and use the results to help determine report card marks, others do not. Ask your child's teacher if you have any questions about how the achievement tests are used.
More information on achievement tests is available online for Grade 3, 6 and 9 students and parents.
Diploma Exams
Students write diploma exams in core Grade 12 subjects at the end of the semester. The diploma exam mark counts for half of a student's final course mark. Classroom work throughout the term makes up the other half.
More information on diploma exams is available online for Grade 12 students and parents.
Process
Both the achievement tests and the diploma exams are developed on the basis of provincial curriculum, and the results are intended for use in the planning of instructional programs. The diploma exams are also used in determining students' marks in the core academic courses in grade 12. Teachers are involved in all stages of the provincial testing program, from developing and field-testing questions to marking. This helps ensure the validity and fairness of the tests and provides valuable professional development for the teachers.
Results
Because achievement tests and diploma exams are based on the key outcomes of the curriculum, test results are a valuable indicator of how well Alberta students are meeting provincial grade-level standards. The results also help the government to report to Albertans on the achievement of our students. The exceptional results of Alberta's achievement tests and diploma exams reflect the high quality of teaching in classrooms across the province and the excellence of Alberta's curriculum.
