Assessment Services

NIC’s assessment services offers a technologically-advanced, secure and welcoming testing environment with a strong commitment to upholding best practices for placements, assessments and exam invigilation. We are committed to inclusion, accessibility, professionalism and integrity and are here to support you through the assessment/placement process.

I have used the NIC Assessment Centre for external exam invigilation services multiple times. Every time the service was outstanding. Their staff made every process very smooth and easy for me and accommodated my unique situation. I highly recommend anyone who needs to have assessments/external exams done to use the NIC assessment centre.
Vienna Wing Yan Yeung

Comox Valley

Shelley McMillan, Assessment Assistant/Remote Assessment Lead

Mon-Thurs 9:00am-4:00pm
Comox Valley Campus Test Center: Room DIS 222, Discovery Hall Building
2300 Ryan Road
Courtenay, BC V9N 8N6
Tel: 250-334-5014
Email: assessmentcvc@nic.bc.ca

Campbell River

Irene Pullar, Assessment Clerk

Tues 9:00am-4:00pm
Wed 1:00pm-8:00pm
Campbell River Campus Test Center: Room C215, Student Services Area
1685 South Dogwood Street
Campbell River BC V9W 8C1
Tel: 250-923-9715 ext. 7715
Email: assessmentcr@nic.bc.ca

Port Alberni

Mona Fournier, Assessment Clerk

Tues and Wed 9:00am-4:00pm
Port Alberni Campus Test Center: Room N115
3699 Roger Street
Port Alberni BC V9Y 8E3
Tel: 250-724-8741
Email: assessmentpa@nic.bc.ca

Mixalakwila

Tues and Thurs 9:00am-4:00pm
Mixalakwila Campus Test Center: Room 108
#140 - 8950 Granville Street
Box 901
Port Hardy, BC V0N 2P0
Email: assessmentph@nic.bc.ca

English assessments provide a snapshot of your English skills to accurately place you in a course or program.

ACCUPLACER English Assessment (online)

English assessments are administered using the online ACCUPLACER placement tool. NIC uses the following two sections to assess your English skills:

  • Reading Test
  • Writeplacer Essay

The reading test section is comprised of 20 multiple-choice questions. WritePlacer Essay evaluates your ability to write effectively, which is a critical component of academic success. All sections are untimed, however the WritePlacer must be started and completed in one session. A three hour session is booked to complete the assessment.

You will receive your results within a week of sitting the ACCUPLACER assessment.

*In some instances, a different English assessment tool may be used.

Prepare for the English Assessment

To prepare for the ACCUPLACER English assessment please use the links below:

Fee: $20 for Math and/or English and/or program specific assessment (NIC applicants only).

If you think you require an assessment:

  1. Apply to NIC. Apply Now.
  2. Check your NIC email. Admissions will inform you if an assessment is needed and how to book.

Math assessments provide a snapshot of your Math skills to accurately place you in a course or program.

Accuplacer Math Assessment (online)

Online Math assessments are done using the ACCUPLACER online placement tool which is comprised of three sections. All questions are multiple choice and untimed. Hand held calculators are not permitted, however, on some questions you may have access to an online calculator.

You will receive your results within a week of sitting the ACCUPLACER assessment.

Please note that there is some overlap between the three sections.

Arithmetic Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra and Statistics Advanced Algebra and Functions
Operations with whole numbers, fractions (addition, multiplication, division, recognizing equivalent fractions and mixed numbers and estimating), decimals and per cents
Applications and problem solving (per cent, measurement problems, simple geometry problems and distribution of a quantity into its fractional parts) 		Rational numbers, ratio and proportion, exponents, algebraic expressions, linear equations, linear applications and graphs, probability sets, descriptive statistics, geometry concepts Linear equations, linear applications and graphs, factoring, quadratics, functions, radical and rational equations, polynomial equations, exponential and logarithmic equations and trigonometry

For more details on each subsection, go to: https://accuplacer.collegeboard.org/educator/next-generation.

*In some instances, a different Math assessment tool may be used.

Prepare for the Math Assessment

To prepare for the Accuplacer Math assessment please use the links below:

For additional review material please click the links below to access the Math review book on the NIC website.

The Math review book is also available for purchase at all NIC bookstores or for review at all NIC libraries.

Fee: $20 for Math and/or English and/or program specific assessment (NIC applicants only).

If you think you require an assessment:

  1. Apply to NIC. Apply Now.
  2. Check your NIC email. Admissions will inform you if an assessment is needed and how to book.

Students accepted into the Bachelor of Nursing or Practical Nursing programs are required to do a specific Nursing Math assessment. This assessment does not impact your eligibility into the program. You do not pass or fail, and retests are not done. The assessment provides you with information about your Math skills so that, if necessary, you can connect with the Math Support services and be ready to succeed in Math oriented courses such as Pharmacology.

The Nursing Math assessment is done on campus and is computer based. There is a total of 34 multiple choice questions and has a time limit of 90 minutes. An online calculator is available on the last 10 questions. Scrap paper and a pencil will be provided by the Assessment Center.

MATERIAL COVERED

This evaluation covers Part A of the Math Review Book.

The Math Review book is available:

BOOKING YOUR NURSING MATH ASSESSMENT

There is no fee for this service and appointments can be made by contacting your local assessment clerk and requesting the Nursing Math Assessment.

Please email your local campus to book an appointment.

After the assessment, you will be emailed a feedback letter that provides an overall percentage and a breakdown by math skill.

Assessments evaluate your current skills and abilities to ensure success in your program. Some NIC programs require assessments for program entry or accept assessments as an alternative to meeting program requirements with transcripts.

Program NIC assessment information
Animal Care Aide Animal Care Aide info sheet
Coastal Log Scaling Coastal Log Scaling info sheet
Culinary Arts Culinary Arts info sheet
Health Care Assistant Health Care Assistant - CLBPT Info Sheet
Prep Cook Prep Cook info sheet

Fee: $20

Program Specific assessment results are valid for two years.

If you think you require an assessment:

  1. Apply to NIC. Apply Now.
  2. Check your NIC email. Admissions will inform you if an assessment is needed and how to book.

Hospital Unit Clerk info sheet

Requirement is 30 wpm with three errors or less on a 5 minute timed writing.

You may make 8 attempts during a 60-minute appointment.

  • The backspace key may be used during the assessment.
  • The format is online. You will read a passage on the screen and type the text below the passage.
  • Valid picture ID is required.

Fee: $20 (NIC applicant). Call 1-800-715-0914 or 250-334-5000 to make payment.

Hospital Unit Clerk Keyboarding assessment results are valid for two years.

Prepare for your assessment:

https://www.typing.academy

https://www.typingtest.com

Please email your local campus to book an appointment.

North Island College provides on-campus and remote invigilation services for exams and assessments, including paper and most online formats. The testing environment is technologically advanced, inclusive and professional.

NIC invigilates for colleges, universities, professional and educational institutions, such as:

  • BC Housing
  • Athabasca University
  • BCIT
  • Thompson Rivers University
  • ILS (remote proctoring available)
  • CAIB / IBABC
  • EOCP
  • FoodSafe
  • IFSE
  • SkilledTradesBC
  • Justice Institute of British Columbia
  • Yardstick

Exam Invigilation Fees

  • $75.00 plus tax for exams 1-3 hours in length
  • $10.00 plus tax for each additional hour, or part thereof

All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

To make payment, call 1-800-715-0914 (toll-free in Canada).

Booking Information

Assessment Services is open year-round. Hours for in-person invigilation vary by campus. Remote invigilation is available Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm, depending on availability.

Please email your local campus to book an appointment.

To learn more about NIC remote and in-person invigilation services for your professional organization, contact Natalie Deveaux, Coordinator of Assessment Services, at Natalie.Deveaux@nic.bc.ca.

Assessment Services offers external keyboarding assessments. You may make 8 attempts during a 60-minute appointment. After completing your assessment, you will be provided with a letter indicating your best result in words per minute. The letter is accepted by most employers and post-secondary institutions.

  • The backspace key may be used during the testing.
  • The format is online. You will read a passage on the screen and type the text below the passage.
  • Valid picture ID is required.

Fee: $75 plus GST Call 1-800-715-0914 or 250-334-5000 to make payment.

Please email your local campus to book an appointment.

We want you to succeed and recognize that learning happens in many ways and places. Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) allows you to receive credit for learning you’ve acquired elsewhere through courses, workshops, employment, volunteering and other life experiences.

There are several formal assessment options for recognizing prior learning. The assessment method is set by each department. It is important to note that all assessment options require the student to submit evidence. The evidence of the student's knowledge, skills and abilities will be assessed for possible academic credit.

The PLAR Process

To evaluate your prior learning, the first step is to contact the Coordinator of Assessment Services. The coordinator will work with you and the Department Chair of the program you wish to take to determine the best way to assess your prior learning. Prior learning is evaluated in one of two ways: Portfolio/Flexible Assessment or Challenge Exam, often combined with personal interviews.

Portfolio/Flexible Assessment

The Portfolio Assessment process usually involves a combination of documentation, skill demonstrations, assignments and, sometimes, tests.

Challenge Exam(s)

Challenge exams recognize a student's prior learning through a formal examination. Students write one or more examinations to prove their knowledge in an academic subject.

Following the assessment, you will receive feedback and work with the Coordinator on the next steps to receive credit. The time to complete the PLAR process will vary according to the assessment measure used. Applicants for PLAR credit have one regular college semester to complete the process.

What will it cost?

The cost for the PLAR process is determined by the number of credits being requested. Fees are calculated at 75% of the tuition for each course and are due prior to the assessment. If any additional costs are required they will be explained by the Coordinator of Assessment Services or the department contact.

Application for Prior Learning Credit form

Assessment for NIC applicant: $20 for Math and/or English and/or program specific assessment

Retests for NIC applicants: $20

Accuplacer Results Transfer Fee: $75 + tax.

Canadian Language Benchmarks Placement Test (CLBPT): $20

Hospital Unit Clerk Keyboarding Assessment: $20 (NIC applicant)

External (non-NIC) Exam Invigilation Services: $75 + tax for 1-3 hours, $10 + tax for each additional hour or part thereof

External (non-NIC) Keyboarding Assessment: $75 + tax

Prior Learning Assessment: 75% of the course tuition, additional fees may apply

All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Fees are periodically reviewed and are subject to change. NIC assessments must be taken within one year of payment date.

Thank you for making the testing process go smoothly, and pleasantly!
Stephen Wright