Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute

• CanTEST
• Test Schedule and Registration Procedures
• Test Day – Important Information and Policies
• Test Policy
• Request Forms
• Score Interpretation, Requirements and Reporting
• Frequently Asked Questions about the CanTEST
• Sites and contacts
• Test Results
• TESTCan

CanTEST

1. Re-testing: Candidates are required to wait three months before taking the CanTEST Listening Comprehension and Reading Comprehension components again.  The waiting period for the writing and speaking components is six full weeks. This policy applies to all CanTEST Test Centres.



2. Registering for Writing Only: Candidates who are successful on the CanTEST Listening component and Reading component but NOT successful on the CanTEST Written test are permitted to register, after six weeks, for the “Writing Only” component, at the next scheduled test session.



3. Success on Only One Component: Candidates who are NOT successful on the Listening Comprehension and/or Reading Comprehension components are required to take all three components (i.e., Listening, Reading and Writing) at the next test session that they are eligible to attend. See Policy Statement #1 above.



4. Oral Interview: Candidates who are required to take the CanTEST Oral Interview must register specifically for this component of CanTEST.  Candidates who are NOT successful on the CanTEST Oral Interview may register for this component at the next scheduled test session, provided it is at least six weeks after their previous test.  Interviews are scheduled in the order in which the registration forms are received.  Some candidates may be required to complete their Speaking test on the day following the written test.
 


5. Score Reporting: All candidates are mailed an Unofficial Score Report within 10 working days of the test session.  Official Score Reports are sent to one university or certifying institution. The test candidate must specify the receiving institution at the time of registration; requests received later are subject to a $15.00 fee. If candidates need scores sent to more than one institution, they must complete a form, “Request for an Official CanTEST Score Report,” available online or from the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute.



6. Score validity: CanTEST scores are valid for two years after the testing date.  After two years, records of test results are destroyed.



7. Registration Deadline: Registration forms and fees must be RECEIVED at the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute TEN working days prior to the test session. It is the candidate’s responsibility to allow adequate time for the forms to arrive by mail. Language Testing Services reserves the right to close registration prior to the deadline if the session is full.  Late registration is accepted on a space-available basis for an additional fee of $35.00.  Test session registration is confirmed for Ontario sites by email. Receipts are issued at the testing session.
 


8. Cancellation Policy: Candidates who cancel at least ten business days prior to the test session will receive a refund, less a $20.00 administration charge. Candidates who cancel less than ten business days before the testing session will not receive a refund, but they may, upon request, transfer their registration and fees to the NEXT scheduled test session.  Candidates unable to attend the test session must contact the Language Testing Services within 5 days of the testing session to request a transfer of their registration.



9. Fees: CanTEST Test Registration fees are subject to change without notice.



10. CanTEST Practice Materials: Practice Materials are non-refundable. It is the responsibility of the candidate to provide an accurate and clear mailing address when ordering Practice Materials. Additionally, when Practice Materials are requested to be mailed by courier, it is the candidate's responsibility to follow the instructions of the Purolator office with regards to the delivery or pick-up of the materials during the dates and times specified by the Purolator office.



11. The CanTEST is a test of English proficiency; it is not a diagnostic test. For this reason and for test security, exam papers can not be viewed by test candidates.



12. By writing the CanTEST you are giving permission to Language Testing Services to use aggregated scores and demographic information for research purposes.

For more information, please contact:

Language Testing Services
Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute
University of Ottawa
600 King Edward Ave, room 114
Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5
Tel.: 613-562-5743
Fax.: 613-562-5126
cantest@uOttawa.ca