GRADE LEVEL COMPLETED MAXIMUM CREDITS
RECOGNIZED BY CIC
Grade 12 Completed
with Diploma/exam certificate		 24 Credits
Grade 11 Completed 23 Credits
Grade 10 Completed 16 Credits
Grade 9 Completed 8 Credits
Grade 8 Completed 0 Credits
CIC CREDITS NEEDED TO STUDY FOR GRADUATION
SAMPLE TIMELINE / DURATION OF STUDY CIC offers offers flexible programs. Sample durations of study are listed below.
MID-AUG
to
DEC		 JAN
to
MID-MAY		 MID-MAY
to
JUN		 JUL
to
MID-AUG		 MID-AUG
to
DEC		 JAN
to
MID-MAY		 MID-MAY
to
JUN		 JUL
to
MID-AUG		 MID-AUG
to
DEC		 JAN TOTAL
MONTHS
(Sample)
6 Credits 3 Credits 3 Credits *Holiday Holiday Enter Uni. 10
7 Credits 4 Credits 3 Credits *Holiday Holiday Enter Uni. 10
14 Credits 4 Credits 4 Credits 2 Credits Holiday 4 Credits Enter Uni. 16
22 Credits 4 Credits 4 Credits 2 Credits Holiday 4 Credits 4 Credits 2 Credits Holiday 2 Credits Enter Uni. 28
30 Credits The duration of study may vary depending on ability and language proficiency. TBD

* Holiday – Summer Semester, opportunity to take additional 2 credits when needed.

All new students attending Columbia International College will be required to take diagnostic tests before registering for their courses.

Students may write 1 to 2 diagnostic tests depending on the program they are enrolled in:

Students enrolled in the High School Program and University Preparatory Program will write Math and English Diagnostics Tests.

Students enrolled in the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program will write the ESL English Diagnostic Test.

English & ESL Diagnostic Test

Columbia International College uses the SLEP (Secondary Level English Proficiency) Test to measure the English language proficiency for non-native speakers. This English diagnostic test is developed by Educational Testing Service (ETS) and assesses students’ listening and reading, comprehension ability, as well as vocabulary and grammar. Students will be placed in either ESL level or Academic English level classes based on the scores they achieve on the SLEP Test. The test is divided into two sections, each containing four types of questions.

First Section

Measures ability to understand spoken English and is 40 minutes long.

  • Students must match one of four recorded sentences with a picture in the test book. Sentences are spoken only once and are not printed in the test book.
  • Students must match a sentence printed in the test book with a sentence heard on the tape.
  • Questions in this part are based on conversations between students or announcements made by teachers. The questions are given before the talks begin. The questions and the answers are printed in the test book. For each question, students must choose one of four answers.
  • The questions in this part are based on conversations recorded by high school students. A question is asked after the conversation is heard. The question is recorded; it is not printed in the test book. For each recorded question, the student must choose one of four answers printed in the test book.

Second Section

Is 40 minutes long and covers grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. It contains the following four types of questions:

  • Students must match the reaction of one of four characters in the cartoon with a printed sentence.
  • Students must match the printed sentence with one of four drawings. It focuses on the use of prepositions, pronouns, adverbs, and numbers.
  • This part contains two types of questions.
    1. In the first type of questions, students must complete the passages by selecting the appropriate words or phrases from a set of four choices printed at interval in the passage.
    2. In the second type of questions, the students must answer questions about the passage for which they supplied the missing words or phrases.
  • In this part of section two the students must read a short passage and answer questions about it.

Try the sample SLEP Test

Students should note that the above is a sample English/ESL diagnostic test and it should be used as a practice tool. Please DO NOT submit answers for marking.

Other Tests

Math Diagnostic Test

  • The Mathematics Diagnostic Test (MDT) is a 90 minute computer-based multiple choice test, designed to evaluate students’ knowledge of mathematical principles and concepts.
  • Questions are based on grades 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the Ontario Ministry of Education Mathematics Curriculum.
  • No dictionary or calculator is allowed during the test
  • Topics to be tested include: BEDMAS Rule, Factoring Polynomials, Solving Equations, Graphing Functions, Simplifying Algebraic Expressions, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry, Logarithms and Sequences & Series.
  • Try the Sample Mathematics Diagnostic Test
  • Students should note that the above is a sample test and it should be used as a practice tool. Please DO NOT submit answers for marking.

Diagnostic Tests for Junior Middle School Students

  • Junior Middle School students (Grades 7 & 8) will be given diagnostic tests in Mathematics and English during the first week of school by their class teachers.
  • It is a 50-minute long test to assess students’ knowledge in Mathematics and English.
  • The test is not for placement purposes as in the senior school. It serves to help teachers identify skills and concepts students are strong in or need assistance with.
  • This ultimately helps teachers to provide remedial assistance or enrichment where needed

Assessment and Placement of Students

The SLEP Test results are used as guidelines only. Final placement may also depend on an assessment of written work administered on the first day of class. To correctly place students in the right Academic English or ESL level, results from the diagnostic test is reviewed in conjunction with students’ past academic records and external/standardized test results (TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB, CELT), received directly from the test centre. These results are also useful for:

  • Determining students’ overall academic aptitude
  • Counselling students during their course selection
  • Identifying students who may need the Academic Support Program(ASP)

Test Results

  • Original IELTS/TOEFL iBT/Duolingo test score must be provided at the time of registration.
  • Only official results are accepted. Projected results are not recognized.
  • The equivalency table is based on the best practices in North America as well research done by Academic English department at CIC.
  • Students arriving at CIC with an IELTS/TOEFL iBT/Duolingo English proficiency score will be exempt from writing CIC’s English placement test.
  • Placement is also determined by the original transcripts provided at the time of registration.
  • Students who wrote an English proficiency test more than 6 months ago may request to write CIC’s English placement test upon arrival at CIC (before registration) in order to update their English proficiency for course placement.