English Assessments Frequently Asked Questions

Like many institutions, BCIT has a test to ensure students have the skills needed to succeed in various programs and levels of courses. If you are applying to a full-time program and do not have the English prerequisites, this test will assess your English 12 level.

Visit the COMM 0015 web page or contact Student Information and Enrolment Services, for current test fee.

Visit the COMM 0015 web page or contact Student Information and Enrolment Services.

For the most current list of available test dates, visit the COMM 0015 web page or contact Student Information and Enrolment Services.

The entire COMM 0015 test is done on a computer in a BCIT Test Centre. It has two parts:

1. Reading Skills – a 20 multiple-choice test that includes questions focusing on understanding the purpose of a passage, interpreting ideas, understanding relationship between ideas, and drawing conclusions. The maximum time for this section is 60 minutes.
2. Writing Skills – a 300 to 600 word composition on a given topic. The maximum time for this section is 60 minutes.

You have 60 minutes total to complete Part 1, and then an additional 60 minutes to complete Part 2. The entire COMM 0015 test is approximately 2 hours long.

BCIT uses Accuplacer^TM for the COMM 0015 test. Parts 1 is marked by computer. The essay in Part 2 is evaluated by at least two separate markers through BCIT’s Communication Department.

To help you prepare for COMM 0015, you can find sample questions and answers or practice tests available online.

You must bring one piece of valid photo identification (a BCIT myBCIT card, a driver’s licence issued in Canada, a Permanent Resident card, a BC Identification card, or a passport) and payment receipt form to the test. Without a valid photo identification, you will not be permitted to take the test and your test fee will be forfeited. NOTE: Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled test time.

Please see BCIT’s parking information website.

To check the location of the test, visit the COMM 0015 web page or contact Student Information and Enrolment Services, then view the interactive Burnaby campus map.

NOTE: Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled test time.

The COMM 0015 test fee is non-refundable. However, you can transfer your test fee to another scheduled test session on a space-available basis, if your request for transfer is received by Student Information and Enrolment Services at least one business day BEFORE the date and time of your original test. A transfer fee will apply. All transfer requests will be refused after the original test date without exceptions.

Test results are available for online viewing within seven (7) business days of completing the test.

You must log into the Learning Hub to view your marks and upgrading course placement level. Follow the step-by-step instructions below:

1. Go to the Learning Hub.
2. In the login area (top left of screen), enter your BCIT email address and your myBCIT password. Your password, by default, is your birthday (YYMMDD) unless you have changed it.
3. On the welcome page, under “My Courses” (expand this widget) click on the most recent “COMM 0015” link.
4. Click on “Grades” (in the menu bar at the top right of the screen). Once your test is graded, the screen will show letter grades (matching English 12 grade levels) for each of the test components, the final mark for the test, as well as PELD English upgrading course placement level.

If your marks have not yet appeared, please try again later. Results will be posted within seven (7) business days of your test.

We cannot give results over the phone or in person. You are responsible for checking your own results online at the Learning Hub. If your marks have not yet appeared, please try again later. Results will be posted within seven (7) business days of your test.

If you have technical difficulties logging in to the Learning Hub, please contact IT Services by phone at 604-412-7444 (Option 1) or email.

Like other such placement tests (e.g. the LPI), individual tests cannot be viewed by students after being written. This is partly to ensure the test questions remain secure and valid. In addition, individual test review and feedback is not possible due to the large numbers of students who take the test.

Although both sections of the test are taken into consideration in assigning a final test mark, this final mark is not a simple average of the two test scores. The Reading section of the test is marked by computer. This computer score is converted into a BCIT grade: A, B, C+, C, C-, or U (unsatisfactory).

The writing portion of the test is marked independently by at least two trained markers from BCIT’s Communication Department. If the two marks do not correspond, a third marker reviews the test and decides the mark, in consultation with the other markers as appropriate. Please see our sample question and answer for more information on the essay criteria and score descriptions.

You must pass both sections of the test to receive a passing mark. If you pass both sections, your performance in each test section is assessed and compared to determine your skill level. To ensure the final mark is a reasonably accurate indication of your skill level, your final mark will be the lower of your two marks if there is a one-grade difference in the marks. If one of your marks is two or three grades above the other mark, your final mark will be no more than one mark higher than your lowest mark.

A U (unsatisfactory) mark in COMM 0015 means your mark was below 50. Thus, you did not meet the BCIT English entrance requirement. We strongly recommend you work on upgrading your skills for at least three months prior to retaking COMM 0015.

See the diagram and chart below.

If your score in COMM 0015 is high enough for a BCIT PELD reading and writing upgrading course, you will be placed in COMM 0071, 0003, 0004, or 0005.

A TOO LOW (unsuccessful) placement in COMM 0015 means your mark was below COMM 0071 Level 1 and you are therefore not eligible to take a BCIT English reading and writing& upgrading course at this time. NOTE: Class size for BCIT English upgrading courses is limited and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

The COMM 0015 test results are valid for 2 years after the test date. There must be no more than two years between your test date and your BCIT program start date. If you have questions about program entrance requirements, contact Program Advising at 604.434.1610.

Although BCIT has no formal waiting period between tests, we recommend students work on upgrading their skills for at least three months before trying again.

Please see BCIT’s English entrance requirements page for a complete list of acceptable alternative tests or contact Program Advising for more information.

BCIT’s English entrance requirements are program specific. Please contact a Program Advisor or visit the program web page under the Program Entry section for more information.

To ensure you have the skills needed to succeed in various programs and levels of courses, you must demonstrate proficiency in all four language skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. If you are applying for a full-time program and do not have the English speaking and listening prerequisites, this test will assess your speaking and listening levels.

To have your reading and writing skills assessed, please take COMM 0015.

Visit the web page for COMM 0033 or contact Student Information and Enrolment Services for current test fees.

Go to the COMM 0033 web page or contact Student Information and Enrolment Services.

For the most current list of available test dates, visit the COMM 0033 web page or contact Student Information and Enrolment Services.

The entire COMM 0033 test is done on a computer in a BCIT computer lab. It has two parts:

1. Speaking – This test consists of four speaking tasks. For each task, you will have one minute to prepare your response, and then you will be expected to speak for one minute into the microphone on your headset. Your responses will be recorded and accessed by trained evaluators.

• • Task 1: Reading a passage aloud.
  • Task 2: Describing a picture.
  • Task 3: Giving reasons or expressing an opinion.
  • Task 4: Describing a past event or experience.

2. Listening – This test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions. You will be assessed on your ability to listen and understand one or more people speaking English. You will listen to a conversation or lecture, while looking at pictures of the speakers on the computer. The question is then read, followed by four answer choices. You will be asked to choose the best answer to the question that was asked. The suggested time for this section is 40 minutes.

The entire COMM 0033 test is approximately 1.5 hours long. Note: There are no sample test questions available.

There are no sample test questions available for COMM 0033. COMM 0033 evaluates your overall English speaking and listening skills – and improving your overall speaking and listening skills is a long-term process. You need to do whatever it takes to improve your own skills. Check the Internet for ESL listening resources. You may also find it useful to practice recording yourself speaking: 1) reading short passages aloud with natural rhythm and 2) speaking continuously for one minute on a variety of topics.

You must bring one piece of valid photo identification (a BCIT myBCIT card, a driver’s licence issued in Canada, a Permanent Resident card, a BC Identification card, or a passport) and payment receipt form to the test. Without a valid photo identification, you will not be permitted to take the test and your test fee will be forfeited. NOTE: Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled test time.

Please see BCIT’s parking information website.

To check the location of the test, visit the COMM 0033 web page or contact Student Information and Enrolment Services, then view the interactive Burnaby campus map.

NOTE: Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled test time.

The COMM 0033 test fee is non-refundable. However, you can transfer your test fee to another scheduled test session on a space-available basis, if your request for transfer is received by Student Information and Enrolment Services at least one business day BEFORE the date and time of your original test. A transfer fee will apply. All transfer requests will be refused after the original test date without exceptions.

Test results are available for online viewing at the Learning Hub within seven (7) business days of completing the test.

You must log into the Learning Hub to view your marks and upgrading course placement level. Follow the step-by-step instructions below:

1. Go to the Learning Hub.
2. In the login area (top left of screen), enter your BCIT email address and your myBCIT password. Your password, by default, is your birthday (YYMMDD) unless you have changed it.
3. On the welcome page, under “My Courses” (expand this widget) click on the most recent “COMM 0033” link.
4. Click on “Grades” (in the menu bar at the top right of the screen). Once your test is graded, the screen will show letter grades (matching English 12 grade levels) for each of the test components, the final mark for the test, as well as the speaking and listening upgrading course placement level.

If your marks have not yet appeared, please try again later. Results will be posted within seven (7) business days of completing the test.

We cannot give results over the phone or in person. You are responsible for checking your own results online by logging into the Learning Hub. If you have technical difficulties accessing your records online, please contact IT Services by phone at 604-412-7444 (Option 1) or email.

If your marks have not yet appeared, please try again later. Results will be posted within seven (7) business days of completing the test.

Like other such placement tests (e.g. the LPI, TOEFL), individual tests cannot be viewed by students after being completed. This is partly to ensure the test questions remain secure and valid. In addition, individual test review and feedback is not possible due to the large numbers of students who take the test.

The Listening section of the test is marked by computer. This computer score is converted into a BCIT grade: A, B, C+, C, C-, or U (unsatisfactory).

The Speaking section of the test is marked independently by two trained markers from BCIT’s Communication Department.

You must pass both sections of the test to receive a passing mark. If you pass both sections, your performance in each test section is assessed and compared to determine your skill level. To ensure the final mark is a reasonably accurate indication of your skill level, your final mark will be the lower of your two marks if there is a one-grade difference in the marks. If one of your marks is two or three grades above the other mark, your final mark will be one mark higher than your lowest mark.

A U (unsatisfactory) mark in COMM 0033 means your mark was below 50. Thus, did not meet the BCIT English speaking and listening entrance requirement. We strongly recommend you work on upgrading your skills for at least three months prior to rewriting COMM 0033. Please see the diagram below.>

If you receive a 50 or 60 as your final mark, you will receive a placement for one of BCIT’s PELD speaking and listening upgrading courses: COMM 0029
(Level 1) or COMM 0030 (Level 2). Please see the chart below.

*A mark in COMM 0030 equal to or above the required entrance mark for your program will meet the speaking and listening entrance requirement.

NOTE: Class size for BCIT English upgrading courses is limited and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

The COMM 0033 test results are valid for 2 years. There must be no more than two years between your test date and your BCIT program start date.

Although BCIT has no formal waiting period between tests, we recommend students work on upgrading their skills for at least three months before trying again.

Please see BCIT’s Assessment and Testing page for a complete list of acceptable alternative tests or contact Program Advising for more information.

BCIT’s English entrance requirements are program specific. Please contact a Program Advisor or visit the program web page under the Program Entry section for more information.