Preparing for the Canadian Adult Achievement Test (CAAT) - Assessment Preparation Guide

Oct 3, 2026

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Preparing for the Canadian Adult Achievement Test (CAAT) includes understanding who needs further assessment, how the CAAT evaluates readiness, and what skills are measured. The guide outlines paper-based, multiple-choice format and timing for Reading Comprehension, Number Operations, and Problem Solving. It also provides practical preparation steps for managing anxiety, staying focused during timed sections, and reviewing key math topics. Recommended resources include general test-prep materials and web links to strategies and workshops.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

Assessment Overview

Format and Timing

Reading Comprehension

Number Operations

Problem Solving

Preparing for Your Assessment

Test-Day Practical Tips

Multiple-Choice Strategy

Resources

General Assessment Preparation

Reading Comprehension

Number Operations

Preparing for the Canadian Adult Achievement Test (CAAT) Homeschooled applicants, applicants with an Individual Program Plan (IPP), mature applicants, and applicants who lack sufficient recognized documentation of secondary education will require further assessment. Assessment is based on established equivalencies and involves additional testing to determine academic readiness for post-secondary programs. One of these assessments, the Canadian Adult Achievement Test (CAAT) , has been designed specifically for the Canadian adult, regardless of his or her previous school experience. The CAAT measures your skills in number operations, reading comprehension , and problem solving to help determine your academic readiness for post-secondary programs. ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW Format: • Paper-based • Multiple-choice Areas being assessed: • Reading Comprehension (50 questions--40 minutes) o Designed to measure comprehension of written material • Number Operations (40 questions--40 minutes) o Designed to assess concepts of numbers and computation • Problem Solving (40 questions--40 minutes) o Designed to measure the ability to determine an outcome, record and retrieve information, and use geometric concepts PREPARING FOR YOUR ASSESSMENT • Review this guide and work through the sample questions , which are similar to the types of questions and areas being assessed on the CAAT. Working through the sample questions can help you identify areas you may want to focus on when preparing for your testing session. If you would like additional practice, many other Canadian colleges have preparation guides available on their websites. • Review general strategies for taking multiple-choice tests. We have provided some general on-line preparation resources below. • Being nervous is natural! If you are concerned about test-related anxiety, we encourage you to look into books and on-line resources that can give you some tips on how to work through these issues, including the ones we have provided below. • Get a good night’s sleep. • Hunger can be a distraction when writing an assessment, so eat a healthy meal or snack prior to your session. • Wear comfortable clothing. Also, consider dressing in layers, as the room temperature could change during the session. • Arrive early for your assessment appointment. • Make sure you understand where you need to go on campus to write your assessment. Ask for clear directions when you confirm your assessment appointment. • Listen carefully to the test instructions and follow directions. If you have further questions, ask the test administrator for additional clarification. • CAAT is a multiple-choice assessment , which will require you to choose the best answer out of several options. We encourage you to review resources on strategies for taking multiple-choice tests , including the ones listed below. • As these assessments are timed, it is important to try to work steadily and answer as many questions as you can during the session. If you are having difficulty with answering a question, move on to the next one in the section, then come back to it if you still have time left. • If you are really struggling with a section of the assessment , don’t give up! Keep working through the section and utilize strategies for taking multiple-choice tests, which can increase the likelihood of choosing the correct answer. RESOURCES General Assessment Preparation Many resources and guides for general test preparation are available on the Internet and in books (check your local library) . NSCC offers a free resource with video workshops and resources for many student success concerns, including test preparation: [https://www.studentlingo.com/nscc](https://www.studentlingo.com/nscc) o Under “Learning to Learn” ▪ How to Reduce Test Anxiety ▪ Exam Preparation Tips & Test-Taking Strategies ▪ How to Overcome Math Anxiety ▪ Reading Comprehension Strategies o V

FAQs

Who needs additional assessment for the CAAT?

Homeschooled applicants, applicants with an Individual Program Plan (IPP), mature applicants, and applicants without sufficient recognized documentation of secondary education require further assessment.

What areas does the CAAT assess and how long is each section?

The CAAT assesses Reading Comprehension (50 questions, 40 minutes), Number Operations (40 questions, 40 minutes), and Problem Solving (40 questions, 40 minutes).

How should applicants prepare for a timed multiple-choice assessment?

Work steadily and answer as many questions as possible within the time limit. If you struggle with a question, move on and return if time remains, and keep using multiple-choice strategies to improve accuracy.

Oct 3, 2026

Upload by Aurelia