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Important Diploma Exam Information

See pages 2-6 for notes specific to English and Social Part A Written Diplomas

See pages 7-11 for all diploma exam information

Diploma rules and procedures are put in place by Alberta Education and are to ensure fairness for all students writing diploma exams

Students require photo identification to enter the exam room!!

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English and Social Studies Part A

All exams are in the computer room but students have the choice to write by hand or on computer
Students using desktop computers (Microsoft Word) will need to SAVE often. Google docs save automatically
You will be given a secure login on an exam account. You will not have access to the internet or previous assignments
You will still have access to spell-check and thesaurus features on Microsoft Word but autocorrect will be disabled (it will still underline misspelled words and incorrect grammar but it will not automatically correct words for you)
If you wear a light shirt with a sweater over the top then you can adjust what you are wearing if you find it too hot or too cool in the computer room

English and Social Studies Part A continued...

Students using computers should be familiar with how to use headers and footers. Students will not put their name and page number on any submitted work;; instead, they will put their exam index number and page numbers in a footer so if any pages become separated from an exam, they can be identified
When students using a computer print their work, the supervisor will get the printout from the printer and match it to their index number
Students are allowed to bring in a dictionary, thesaurus and writing handbook--you can sign them out from the Learning Commons or check the approved list if bringing in your own (see next page)
These features are also available on computer--make sure you are familiar with using them before the exam

Approved Materials for English and Social Studies Part A

Approved Materials for English and Social

Social Studies Continued

Accommodations and Provisions

All students can take up to twice the official time limit to write the diploma exam, if needed. Students do not need to declare the use of this provision before writing a diploma exam.
Because all students can get extra time, students are permitted to bring water/juice to drink (use container with lid) or light snacks (in containers that are quiet to access) - IN CLEAR/SEE-THROUGH Containers only
Other accommodations are available for students who require and typically use them throughout the semester (reader, separate writing area, scribe, frequent breaks) and must be signed up for before the diploma exam (Deadline was Nov 29).
Students using audiofiles should bring their own PLUGIN headphones (bluetooth headphones not permitted in the exam room).

Exam Procedures

Students will be allowed into the exam room 10-15 minutes before the exam to fill out exam booklets, have calculators cleared or create new documents, headers and footers for computer writers
NO CELL PHONES, SMART WATCHES, EARBUDS, SMARTBAGS are allowed on a student’s person. They must be left at home, in vehicle, in locker or in the test supervisor’s supply box (which is taken to the office) and put on silent. If a student has a cell phone or other device on their person, they will be moved to a new location and allowed to finish the exam but Alberta Education may void their exam results
No hats, hoodies or bulky jackets are allowed on the student’s person during the exam
Calculators must be cleared of memory before student enters the examination room

Exam Procedures

Students must stay for the first hour of the exam
If a student runs into difficulties getting to the exam on time, they may enter the examination late but no later than one hour after the start of the exam. Students coming in after one hour will not be allowed to write the exam.
Students, along with their parents are the ones in the end who determine if it is safe for a student to travel to school to write the exam or if the student is well enough to write the exam
If buses do not run on a diploma exam, a student can apply for an exemption but AB Education is the one who approves the application for exemption. If they say no, then the student will have to write at the next exam writing (April/August)

What if I cannot write the exam due to illness or inclement weather?

Contact the school before the start of the exam or as soon as possible if you cannot write the exam due to the following:

If the exam the student is writing is available in the next writing session, then the student’s exam will be DEFERRED and they will write in the next writing session
If the exam the student is writing is NOT available at the next writing session, the student can apply for an EXEMPTION but exemptions are RARELY given--DEFERMENT is the typical response
A student can always apply for an exemption but there is no guarantee it will be granted

Writing Sessions

Most diploma exams are available in the following writing sessions:

STUDENTS MUST HAVE A MY PASS ACCOUNT TO ACCESS THEIR DIPLOMA MARKS once they come out in mid-February

Questions

If you have any concerns or questions, please contact the school at 780-542-4401 or email the school administrators

All students should be aware of the information in the following document:

Best of luck to all students writing diploma examinations!