Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions and Financial Aid at Centennial College

  • Contact Us

    How to Book your Skills Assessment

    Student Success Office
    Progress Campus, Room D2-01
    416-289-5300

    You can also book your skills assessment online

About Centennial
Established as Toronto's first public college in 1966, Centennial College offers programs in business, communications, community and health studies, science and engineering technology, general arts, hospitality and transportation.
 

Why do I have to be assessed?
We need to assess your skills. Good English writing and reading comprehension skills are needed to succeed at Centennial, as are basic mathematics or science skills for some programs. By testing your college readiness, we can better ensure your success at Centennial College.

How will the assessment results be used?

 

Your assessment results will be used in several ways:  

 

  • to determine admissibility to some college programs
  • to indicate if you require a full-time academic upgrading program such as General Arts and Science or English for Academic Purposes before entering a regular post-secondary program
  • to identify the appropriate language (and for some programs Math) course that matches your current skill level.

For those who require academic upgrading, we offer Placement Advice for Student Success (PASS). Be sure to do your best work, because the results can have a significant impact!

What kind of questions will be asked?
Depending on the program, you may be asked to write different tests in language, Mathematics, Science or other subject areas. The most common are described on the Assessment Tests page. Locate the specific program you have applied for either by code or program name. Click on the link and you will find out what the required testing is and how to book your test.

Is there a fee for the assessment?
There is no fee when you take your assessment. The materials and administration cost will be included as an ancillary fee when you enrol in the College.

How long will the assessment take?
Times vary, depending on your program choices. Ask for details when you book your session.

In what ways do I need to be prepared?
The skills we are assessing are ones that you have acquired through your previous educational or employment experiences and no specific preparation is required. However, if a refresher is needed please prepare accordingly.

What do I need to bring?

  • Acceptable photo ID has a current photo (not older than 5 years). These include one of the following: passports, driver's license, health cards and age of majority cards, citizenship card, landed card, minister's permit or a Centennial College student photo ID.
  • If you do not have any of the above then you may provide non-government issued photo ID with two pieces of non-photo ID. These could include other school photo ID, transit photo ID, expired government photo ID or employment ID. PLUS two of the following: birth certificate, social insurance card or non-photo health card.

Please note students arriving without ID will not be allowed to write their Skills Assessment.

When will I get the assessment results?
The Assessments are scored in a way that relates to course placement rather than a grade or pass/fail manner. In most cases, results are provided at the end of the Skills Assessment test.

What if I live out of town?
If you reside 100 kilometres or more outside the Greater Toronto Area, arrangements can be made with Centennial College to write your assessment exams in your hometown. The assessment must be written under the supervision of an approved and recognized educational institution. The exams will be written with a teacher, guidance counsellor or senior school official.

Your supervisor must meet our criteria and he/she may require a fee for their time. It is your responsibility to pay any fees levied by your exam supervisor.
You will schedule a mutually agreeable time with your exam supervisor when you will write your exams. The supervisor will be required to provide you with a suitable space to conduct testing as prescribed by the Assessment Centre guidelines.
Applicants writing exams outside of Canada are responsible for postal or courier fees for their papers' return. Assessment Centre staff can assist you to arrange courier delivery of your exams on a third party pay basis to ensure prompt delivery of your exams overseas.

Click here to request an out of town Skills Assessment.

For more information about out of town Skills Assessments
Email: offsite@centennialcollege.ca Tel: 416-289-5000 ext.2597 Toll free in Ontario: 1-800-268-4419 (press 3)

Where can I park my car on campus when I write my assessment exam?
Parking at Ashtonbee Campus Upon arrival at Centennial College, Ashtonbee Campus, please park in the student parking lot entry by the Parking Kiosk. To enter the lot, press the blue ticket button, take your ticket with you. When you enter the Campus, visit the iCentre (room A-119) give them your entry ticket and they will give you an exit ticket. Use this complimentary ticket at the parking lot exit terminal to leave the parking lot.

Parking at the Centennial HP Science and Technology Centre Upon arrival at the Centennial HP Science and Technology Centre please park in the Visitor Parking Lot accessible off the 755 Morningside Avenue driveway. As you enter the lot, contact Security by using the intercom located at the entrance gate to the visitor loft. Once you have parked your car please visit our Security Office (room 234) located on the main floor of the Centennial HP Science and Technology Centre, and register your vehicle with Security Office.

Parking at The Centre for Communication Arts Upon arrival at The Centre for Communication Arts, please park in the Visitor Parking area and register your vehicle with Campus Security. If the visitor parking area is full, proceed to the parking gate and use the intercom to contact Security to enter the permit parking area. When you entry the Campus proceed to the Security Desk near the main entrance next to room 101 to register your vehicle. To exit the visitor parking area, use the same driveway that you used to enter. If you parked in the permit parking area obtain an exit ticket from Admissions or use the intercom to contact Security to exit the permit parking area.

Parking at Progress Campus Upon arrival at Centennial College, Progress Campus please park in one of the Visitor Parking Lots (Lot 2). You must call Security and provide your name and the purpose of your visit. The invigilator will provide you with a pass at the end of your Skills Assessment which you will bring to the Security Office (Room B1-01A) located through the cafeteria to exit the parking lot.

Have you been asked to write a language or math assessment?
At Centennial College , our commitment to your success means providing you with opportunities to understand and assess your personal needs. Your skills assessment result will give us the information we need to place you in the program and courses that best suit your skills. It will also allow you a glimpse of the academic challenges that lie ahead.

We start you off right so you can succeed!

How can I prepare?
We are assessing skills you have acquired through school and work experience. No specific preparation is required. If you have been out of school for a while, you may want to review your math concepts or English writing skills.

What do I bring to my Skills Assessment?
1. Photo Identification that is government-issued such as:

  • Acceptable photo ID has a current photo (not older than 5 years). These include one of the following: passports, driver's licence, health cards and age of majority cards, citizenship card, landed card, minister's permit or a Centennial College student photo  ID.
  • If you do not have any of the above then you may provide non-government issued photo ID with two pieces of non-photo ID. These  could include other school photo ID, transit photo ID, expired  government photo ID or employment ID. PLUS two of the following: birth certificate, social  insurance card or non-photo health card.

Please note students arriving without ID will not be allowed to write their Skills Assessment.

2. The letter from Enrolment Services titled "Acknowledgement of Application for Admission". It will contain your Centennial College Student Number and Centennial College Program Code or Codes to which you have applied or been accepted to. If you are a Part time learner, please bring your Centennial College Student Number only.
Calculators or electronic spell checkers are not allowed. If you bring a cell phone, you will be asked to turn it off while the assessments are in session.

When will I get the Skills Assessment results and how will they be used? 
In most cases, you will be provided with your results upon completion of the Skills Assessment test. If you have met the minimum requirements for your program, you can use this information to create a timetable that best suits your needs.

What other services are offered in the Assessment Centre?
Invigilation services for other institutions
We provide invigilation services for students from other institutions in our secure and supervised environment. We can accommodate from one to twenty individuals per session.
Arrangements can be made by calling 416-289-5000, ext. 2596 or emailing Deborah Yeung at dyeung@centennialcollege.ca.
The fee is $45 Cdn per exam for invigilation services. Courier services can be arranged for an additional fee. Make your payment at Progress Campus, second floor at "The Hub" room C1-01 by money order, debit card, Cash, Visa, Master Card, or American Express, during business hours.

Exemption exams for the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
Centennial College has been designated by the Ministry of Training, College and Universities as one of the sites where candidates for apprenticeship programs may take their trade exemption test. Call 416-289-5000, Ext. 2596 or by e-mailing Deborah Yeung at dyeung@centennialcollege.ca to arrange your exemption exam. The fee is $150 Cdn. Make your payment at Progress Campus, second floor at "The Hub" room C1-01 by money order, debit card, Cash, Visa, Master Card, or American Express, during business hours.