English Exam for Teacher Certification

EDEC 215 (B.Ed.)/ EDTL 515 (MA)

The Quebec Ministry of Education requires that all students in teacher education programs demonstrate their proficiency in the language of instruction by writing (and passing) the English Exam for Teacher Certification (EETC). The examination is administered by an independent body, the Centre for the English Exam for Teacher Certification (CEETC) on behalf of the Ministry of Education. Although McGill assists in coordinating the test, it is not a McGill examination. The Centre collects a fee for writing the test. 

Take Note: Maximum Number of Attempts / Program Withdrawal

Students have 4 opportunities to pass the EETC prior to the Third Field Experience (B.Ed.) / First Internship (MATL). A student will not be permitted to begin this placement without having successfully passed the EETC. Students who do not pass the EETC exam after the 4th attempt require permission to re-take the exam for a fifth and final attempt, which may be granted at the discretion of the ISA Director. If a student does not pass the EETC on the fifth and final attempt, they will be withdrawn from the program. Any subsequent readmission will be conditional on first passing the EETC.

**NEW** Students who fail their fifth attempt in the Fall term of their third year (U3) will be permitted to remain enrolled for the subsequent Winter term and are expected to attempt the exam again in the Summer term. Students who do not obtain a passing grade in the Summer term will be withdrawn from the program. Any subsequent readmission will be conditional on first passing the EETC. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the EETC?

The EETC is a Québec Ministry of Education-required component of your B.Ed. degree. The exam is part of your McGill program; however, it is coordinated and administered by an independent third party, the Centre for the English Exam for Teacher Certification (CEETC). We recommend that, unless you believe you require extensive preparation for the exam, you should take it as soon as possible into your degree.

 

When and where is the EETC?

Dates and locations are communicated to students via their McGill email every term that the EETC is offered. 

The EETC is written on a computer in a designated computer lab. Students cannot take the exam elsewhere, nor use a personal computer.

 

What if I have a Field Experience/courses/final exam on the EETC dates?

In order to accommodate students' varying schedules as much as possible, there are a number of EETC session dates and times available, and students should be able to find a date/time that suits their schedule.

If you will be doing your Field Experience on any of those days/times, you:

  • May be absent from the host school for the entire day that you have the EETC exam, regardless of when during the day the exam is scheduled.

  • Are NOT permitted to be absent from the host school for the day prior to the exam for “studying”, etc.

  • Do NOT need to make up a missed day due to writing the EETC.

  • Need to inform your Supervisor, CT, and Placement Coordinator whether you will be absent from your Field Experience for the EETC, and which day you will writing the exam.

If you have a McGill class on any of those days/times, you:

  • Should NOT register for a EETC session for any of those days/times when you have class

  • Will not be given time off from your courses to write the EETC

If you will be doing a final exam on any of those days, you:

  • Should NOT register for a EETC session for any of those days/times when you have a Final Exam

  • Will not be excused from a final exam to write the EETC

 

How is the exam graded?

The exam is graded on a Pass/Fail (‘P’/’F’) system. Students will be notified by e-mail when their detailed score report is available to view on the CEETC website. Following this, the result will be recorded for EDEC 215 on students’ unofficial McGill transcript in Minerva.

 

What if I miss the exam or register incorrectly?

  • Students who register for EDEC 215 in Minerva but do not register or pay for the exam via the CEETC website, or, students who are registered but do not show up to write the exam will be given a mark of ‘J’ (failure due to unexcused absence) for EDEC 215 on their unofficial McGill transcript in Minerva.
  • Students who registered and paid for the exam via the CEETC website but cannot show up to write the exam due to illness must present a valid medical note to the CEETC within 5 days of the scheduled exam in order to receive a refund, less an administration fee (Policy 7.3). In this instance, students will receive a mark of ‘W’ (withdrawn) for EDEC 215 on their unofficial McGill transcript in Minerva.
  • Students who miss their exam will be able to write the EETC again when it is next offered.

 

When can I register for the EETC?

Registration dates are communicated to students via their McGill email every term that the EETC is offered.

 

How do I register for the EETC?

You must register for the EETC on TWO different systems and do both registrations!

If this is not your first time writing the EETC, you must still register on BOTH Minerva AND the CEETC website.

1. Register for EDEC 215 via Minerva (Note: This course carries 0 credits.)

2. Register for a specific date and time slot on the CEETC website:

  • ​Go to www.ceetc.ca and click on ‘Register Now’ if this is the first time that you will write the exam (if you are a returning student, click on ‘Login’).

  • Follow the instructions to select a time slot.

  • Submit your fee payment* as instructed.

  • Retain your proof of payment (receipt) and bring it with you to the exam. The date, time and room number of your exam is indicated on the receipt.

*Fee: Please note, that although McGill assists in administering the test to its students, the EETC is not a McGill examination and the CEETC will collect an independent examination fee.

 

What if I am registered with the Student Accessibility and Achievement Office?

Students registered with McGill’s Student Accessibility and Achievement Office (SAA) may request to write their EETC exam with the SAA by submitting the SAA’s “Exam Accommodation Request” webform. Take note that accommodated EETC exams are done by hand (Part 1) and by hand or computer (Part 2). Other accommodations may apply, based on a student's accommodation plan.

In order to submit a request for exam accommodation, students must:

  • Register, or already be registered, with the SAA office

  • Submit their request at least 14 days prior to their exam date

  • Specify that the request is for EDEC 215 and write "Jill Brook" as the Professor's Name and "jill.brook [at] mcgill.ca" as the Professor's Email.

 

What support does McGill offer in advance of writing the EETC?

EETC Info & Working Sessions

Info sessions and working sessions are typically offered to McGill students, in preparation for writing the EETC. The working sessions can be accessed via the EDEC 215 myCourses site once students can register for EDEC 215. There will also be additional resources on the myCourses site to help you prepare for the exam. The myCourses site will only be active once EDEC 215 is active in Minerva, and only students who register for EDEC 215 will have access to this myCourses site.

Tutorial services from the McGill Writing Centre

If this is not your first time writing the EETC, or if you strongly believe you will need individualized tutorial support in preparation for the EETC, you are encouraged to make an appointment with the McGill Writing Centre's Tutorial Service. In your appointment request, please indicate that you are requesting tutoring for the EETC/EDEC 215 and specify what part(s) of the exam you need help with.

 

     

     

     

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