The CAEC in Manitoba
Who can write it, how to register, what it costs, and where tests are held. Pass all five tests and you earn a Manitoba High School Equivalency Certificate.
Who runs the CAEC in Manitoba
The CAEC in Manitoba is administered by Adult Learning and Literacy (ALL), part of Manitoba Advanced Education and Training. It replaced the GED in Manitoba after GED testing ended across Canada on May 3, 2024. Manitoba offers the CAEC in partnership with Alberta, so you create your account and book tests on a site hosted by Alberta.
Testing centres are in Winnipeg, Brandon, Thompson and The Pas, and tests are held monthly. Testing in French is available in Winnipeg. Tests can occasionally be held at other community sites. The Manitoba CAEC Planning Calendar lists tentative dates, and your CAEC account shows the sessions you can actually book.
Manitoba describes the CAEC as a self-study pathway. Passing it earns a High School Equivalency Certificate, not a diploma, and the CAEC cannot be counted toward a Manitoba high school diploma.
Who can write it
To write the CAEC in Manitoba, you must:
- be a resident of Manitoba
- not have completed high school or received a GED certificate
- be at least 19 years old
The age is the rule people miss: Manitoba's minimum is 19. If you are younger, you can apply with the Age Exemption Request Form. Requests are reviewed case by case. Manitoba names three cases: homeschoolers who completed Grade 12 requirements, people with a conditional acceptance from a post-secondary institution, and people with a Manitoba job offer that depends on a high school equivalency certificate.
On test day, bring two pieces of current ID. At least one must be government issued with a recent photo, and both must show the name on your CAEC account. Your ID is also used to confirm you live in Manitoba.
How to register, step by step
- Check you are eligible (or request an age exemption first).
- Create a CAEC account on the CAEC website and choose MB as your jurisdiction.
- Decide which tests you need. If you passed some GED tests, apply to have them recognized first (see the GED section below).
- Request any accommodations before you book.
- Book and pay in your account: choose the location, tests and test dates, then pay online by Visa, Mastercard or Visa Debit. Bookings close five business days before the session, and walk-ins are not allowed.
- Write your tests with your two pieces of ID.
You can write all five tests over two days or spread them over several months. For a side-by-side view of other provinces, see CAEC registration by province.
Fees, retakes and rescoring
per subject test
for all five tests
for each retest
These are Manitoba's fees as of October 2026. Confirm them with Adult Learning and Literacy before you book. You only pay for the tests you schedule, and there are no refunds. If you reschedule or cancel at least five days before your test, a test credit stays in your CAEC account for another date or subject. If you miss a test for a medical or bereavement reason, contact the ALL office for a review.
Retakes: you can rewrite a test only if you did not pass it, and you must wait 30 days. After a third unsuccessful attempt, you wait until the next calendar year.
Rescoring and transcripts: you can request a reassessment of your Writing test within 90 days of the test date through the Test Taker Service Request Form. The same form orders extra transcript copies, which cost $31.50. More detail is in our retake and rescore guide.
The five tests
The CAEC is written on a computer at the test centre, in English or French. You need 55% on each test to pass.
Reading
50 questions, 75 minutes
Writing
1 persuasive writing task, 75 minutes
Math
Part I: 12 questions, 30 minutes, no calculator. Part II: 30 questions, 90 minutes, calculator.
Science
35 questions, 90 minutes
Social Studies
40 questions, 90 minutes
Manitoba reports results as codes. ES (80 to 100%) and MS (55 to 79%) are passes. AS (40 to 54%) and DMS (0 to 39%) mean you need to rewrite. Reading, Math, Science and Social Studies results appear in your account after two business days. Writing takes 20 business days.
At the centre, personal items stay in a designated area. Scrap paper and pencils are supplied, and Manitoba says physical calculators are provided for Math Part II.
Accommodations and special arrangements
Every test taker gets built-in tools: a zoom feature, a screen colour overlay, a text highlighter and a line reader. Beyond that, Manitoba offers two kinds of support:
- Special arrangements change the environment, such as privacy screens or noise blockers.
- Accommodations support a medically diagnosed condition or extenuating circumstances, such as a scribe, a reader or Braille.
Extended time and extra breaks appear under both headings on Manitoba's pages, so simply describe what you need. To ask for either, fill in the CAEC Special Arrangement or Accommodation Request Form well before you book. ALL staff will contact you within five business days to set up a phone appointment. Decisions take up to 30 business days from when ALL has all your documents, and you may be asked for medical documentation.
Some supports are never allowed: a calculator on Math Part I, a dictionary, thesaurus or translator on the Reading, Social Studies, Math and Science tests, and an interpreter to reword questions.
Our guide to CAEC accommodations explains how to prepare a strong request.
For instructors
Learners must request accommodations themselves, with documentation, before testing. Build the 30-business-day decision window into your plan, and remind learners under 19 to apply for an age exemption first. Manitoba points learners to the official test outcomes by subject and sample tests, which are good starting points for class planning.
If you passed GED tests
If you passed some GED tests between 2002 and 2024, you can ask to have them recognized toward the CAEC until May 2027. Apply with the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition form, then write CAEC tests only for the subjects you are missing. Up to four GED tests can be recognized, so you write at least one CAEC test. Passing all five subjects with a mix of GED and CAEC results earns the High School Equivalency Certificate. High school credits cannot replace a CAEC test.
A completed GED stays valid. You can order a Manitoba GED transcript for $31.50, and credential verification for employers is free.
Free preparation and help
Manitoba's Adult Learning Centres are tuition-free. They lead to a high school diploma or a mature student high school diploma, so for some adults they are an alternative to the CAEC. Manitoba's CAEC pages also link a preparation page with online study materials, the official test outcomes and a sample test for every subject.
Our guide to paying for the CAEC in Manitoba covers free classes and keeping your costs near zero. For practice, work through our free CAEC lessons. When you want timed practice, the CAEC Practice Tests include six full tests with explained answers.
CAEC Manitoba FAQ
How much does the CAEC cost in Manitoba?
As of October 2026, $15 per subject test, so $75 if you write all five. Each retest is another $15. Fees are non-refundable, but rescheduling or cancelling at least five days ahead leaves a test credit in your CAEC account.
Can I write the CAEC in Manitoba if I am 18?
Manitoba's minimum age is 19. You can apply for an age exemption with the Manitoba CAEC Age Exemption Request Form. Exemptions are decided case by case, for example for homeschoolers who completed Grade 12 requirements, people with a conditional post-secondary acceptance, or people with a Manitoba job offer that depends on a high school equivalency certificate.
Where can I write the CAEC in Manitoba?
Testing centres are in Winnipeg, Brandon, Thompson and The Pas, with tests held monthly. Testing in French is available in Winnipeg. Other sites are sometimes arranged, and the dates, times and locations you can book are shown in your CAEC account.
Do I get a diploma when I pass the CAEC in Manitoba?
No. When you pass all five tests you receive a Manitoba High School Equivalency Certificate and two copies of your CAEC transcript, not a high school diploma. If you want a diploma, Manitoba's tuition-free Adult Learning Centres offer that route.
How many times can I retake a CAEC test in Manitoba?
You can rewrite a test only if you did not pass it, and you must wait 30 days. If you are unsuccessful after a third attempt, you must wait until the next calendar year. You cannot retake a test you have already passed.
Do my old GED tests count toward the CAEC in Manitoba?
Manitobans who passed some GED tests between 2002 and 2024 can ask to have them recognized toward the CAEC until May 2027, using the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition form. You then write CAEC tests only for the subjects you are missing.
When will I get my results?
Results for Reading, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies appear in your CAEC account two business days after the test. Writing results take 20 business days.
Sources
Last checked: October 20, 2026. Fees, dates and rules change. Confirm with Adult Learning and Literacy at all@gov.mb.ca or 204-945-8247 before you book.
- Manitoba Adult Learning and Literacy: CAEC in Manitoba
- Manitoba Adult Learning and Literacy: CAEC Testing in Manitoba
- Manitoba Adult Learning and Literacy: CAEC frequently asked questions
- Manitoba CAEC Planning Calendar
- Manitoba CAEC Special Arrangement or Accommodation Request Form
- Manitoba CAEC Age Exemption Request Form
- Manitoba CAEC/GED Test Taker Service Request Form
- Manitoba Adult Learning and Literacy: GED in Manitoba
- Government of Manitoba: Adult Learning Centres
Ready to start preparing?
Work through free lessons in all five subjects, then use our prep materials for full timed practice.