National Association of Career Colleges

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Dear NACC Members,

On April 20th, we confirmed in an e-mail to all colleges teaching NACC curriculum that we were authorizing the use of the original NACC Technical Literacy Exam as an interim order until October 23, 2023 while we reviewed changes that were made to some of our NACC programs.

We took the opportunity over the past few months to listen to you and better understand your concerns and issues with the new entrance requirements. We are pleased to inform you that we have made changes as a result of our three information sessions. These changes will be integrated into all NACC programs in the future and we will ensure a consistent approach going forward across any curriculum products.

You will find below the new policy for Entrance Examinations, but I should highlight the following:

• You may continue to use the current NACC Technical Literacy Exam until we issue a revised written NACC Entrance Exam.

• NACC will issue this revised written NACC Entrance Exam in the Fall of 2023. This revised exam will include video and audio-based questions as a way to improve the quality of the examination.

• The use of the revised NACC Entrance Exam, when available, along with the changes listed below, will require a program change application with MCU.



• In addition to permanently reinstating a written NACC Entrance Exam, changes to the testing options include the following:
• The International Language Testing System (IELTS) now has a passing grade of 5.5.
• We have added the ability to use Duolingo and the Pearson English Language Test as listed below.
• Recognition of English proficiency based on post-secondary study in English in a country other than Canada.
• Successful completion of a pre-requisite Adult English Language Proficiency Course administered by a member college or ESL certifying agency with a minimum grade of 70%.

NOTE: Please do not proceed with a program change until receiving further advice from NACC.

I must stress that we acknowledge that we didn’t get this right with the recent updates and for that I apologize as Chief Executive Officer.

Our new team in the Education Department have reviewed this carefully after meeting with you to come to a resolution that meets your needs for a consistent and reliable admission process.

We are continuing to look for ways to improve the Admission Requirement process to ensure that we prepare learners to be successful in the final exam and placement processes and we will always appreciate your input.

Thank you for your support and I encourage you to book a direct time with me or reach out to Doris Jeanne MacKinnon at djmackinnon@nacc.ca if you have any questions.

Thank you for your support and for the commitment to delivering a quality education everyday for learners across Canada.

Sincerely, 

Michael Sangster

Chief Executive Officer

National Association of Career Colleges

Draft Admission Requirements for NACC Programs

Note: These will be included in the Program Changes when the NACC Entrance Exam is completed. 

In order to gain acceptance into a NACC approved, students must present with ONE of the following:

• A Canadian High School Equivalency Diploma (General Education Development Test) OR

• Completed grades 9 to 12 in English at an approved Canadian high school with at least 3 consecutive years of full-time academic study OR

• Evidence of successful completion of 2 consecutive years of full-time equivalent post-secondary study in English at a Canadian institution OR

• Evidence of successful completion of 2 consecutive years of full-time equivalent post-secondary study in English at an institution outside of Canada OR

• Completion of ONE of the NACC approved English Language Proficiency (ELP) tests from the list of approved English Language Proficiency Tests below OR

• Successful completion of a pre-requisite Adult English Language Proficiency Course administered by a member college or ESL certifying agency with a minimum grade of 70% OR

• Completion of the written NACC Entrance Exam with a minimum score of 60%

NACC Approved English Language Proficiency (ELP) Tests

1. International Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic with a score of 5.5 (no section score below 5.5)
2. Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based Testing (TOEFL IBT) with a score of 71
3. Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) General with a score of 7 (no section score below 6)
4. Canadian Language Benchmark Tests with a score of 7 in each strand (not an average of 7)
5. CAEL with an overall score of 60 and no section below 60
6. Duolingo English Test with a minimum score of 95
7. Pearson PTE Academic with a minimum score of 46 

Note: Upgrades to the testing for Pearson PTE Academic include: a) 24-hour booking; b) online testing from any location; c) results within 1.5 days directly to student; d) test vouchers based on volume 

Note: There is no expiry date on any of the Approved English Language Proficiency Tests