CAEC test questions: 50 printable practice questions with answers

50 original CAEC practice questions on one printable sheet, with a separate answer key, an explanation and the handbook chapter for every answer. Print it or save it as a PDF. Free; not the official test.

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This page puts 50 original practice questions for the Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC) on one sheet you can print or save as a PDF. They are drawn evenly from our 17 topics (caec format, scoring and rules, reading: literary texts, reading: informational texts, reading: grammar and language conventions, writing: the persuasive essay, math part i: computation without a calculator, math: number sense and money and math: patterns and algebra, among others), so one sitting covers the whole test, not just the easy chapters.

The answer key starts on a new page after the last question. Each answer has a short explanation and the chapter of the CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject it comes from, so you can check the rule in the official source instead of memorising our wording. These are not the official test questions: the CAEC Testing Service (Government of Alberta) with provincial and territorial governments; TVO in Ontario does not publish its question bank. When the sheet feels easy, sit a timed mock exam of 50 questions (you need 28 correct to pass our mock).

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1.A paint mix uses 3 parts blue to 4 parts white. How many litres of blue are needed with 20 L of white?
1. 12 L
2. 80 L
3. 15 L
4. 26.7 L
2.Which revision best combines the sentences? "The bus was late. It snowed heavily. Many workers arrived after nine."
1. The bus was late it snowed heavily and many workers arrived after nine.
2. Snowing heavily, many workers were late, the bus arrived after nine.
3. It snowed heavily, the bus was late, many workers arrived after nine.
4. Because it snowed heavily, the bus was late and many workers arrived after nine.
3.Which sentence best connects a reason to its evidence?
1. Bike lanes make roads safer; city data show fewer injuries on streets with protected lanes.
2. Bike lanes exist. Some people ride bikes to work, and other people drive cars.
3. Bike lanes are good. Our city has a large population and a great many streets.
4. Bike lanes are safer, and also bicycles come in many different colours and sizes.
Bay Road Bridge to Close for Repairs The Bay Road bridge over Mill Creek will close to all traffic from May 5 to August 29 while crews replace its deck, the county announced Tuesday. The bridge, built in 1964, carries about 6,000 vehicles a day. A county inspection last fall found that salt and freeze-thaw cycles had cracked the concrete deck. "The bridge is safe today, but it will not stay safe without this work," said county engineer Hana Sato. During the closure, drivers will be detoured along Route 9 and Pine Street, adding about seven minutes to a typical trip. A temporary footbridge will let pedestrians and cyclists continue to cross. Some business owners on Bay Road are worried. "Summer is our busiest season," said Luis Ortega, who runs a bakery near the bridge. "If people can't drive past, they won't stop." The county says it chose the summer because concrete cures best in warm weather. The $3.2-million project is funded jointly by the county and the province.
4.According to the Bay Road bridge article, how will pedestrians cross Mill Creek during the closure?
1. By a free shuttle bus
2. On a temporary footbridge
3. By the Route 9 detour
4. They will not be able to cross
5.How many provinces and territories does Canada have?
1. 13 provinces and no territories
2. 10 provinces and 3 territories
3. 9 provinces and 4 territories
4. 12 provinces and 1 territory
6.What does section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 protect?
1. The right to own a firearm without a licence
2. Aboriginal and treaty rights
3. The right to free university tuition
4. The right of every province to leave Canada
7.A candidate scores 48% on the CAEC Science test. How is this result reported?
1. Exceeds minimum standard; the test is passed
2. Meets minimum standard; the test is passed
3. Approaching minimum standard; the test must be rewritten
4. Does not meet; all five tests must be rewritten
8.Plastic shopping bags are cheap and light. Which is an unintended environmental consequence of their wide use?
1. Litter that harms wildlife in waterways
2. Lower prices for groceries at the store
3. Easier carrying of shopping bags home
4. Less weight to carry in delivery trucks
9.Two numbers add to 48. One is 6 more than the other. What is the smaller number?
1. 42
2. 21
3. 27
4. 24
10.Using the order of operations, simplify 3 + 4 × 5.
1. 35
2. 23
3. 27
4. 60
11.A student wants to show what percent of a class prefers each of four sports. Which graph is best?
1. A line graph
2. A double line graph
3. A circle graph
4. A scatterplot
12.What is the main role of a consumer in a market economy?
1. Buying goods and services
2. Printing money for the government
3. Setting the national interest rate
4. Writing the country's trade laws
13.A right triangle has legs of 6 cm and 8 cm. How long is the hypotenuse?
1. 7 cm
2. 48 cm
3. 10 cm
4. 14 cm
14.Before a study is published in a journal, other experts check its methods and conclusions. What is this process called?
1. Replication
2. Blinding
3. Peer review
4. Random sampling
15.A data set's mean is 20. Every value is increased by 5. What is the new mean?
1. 25
2. 20
3. 4
4. 100
16.In 2008, the Government of Canada formally apologized for which policy?
1. The residential school system
2. The creation of the RCMP
3. The building of the national railway
4. Canada's role in the First World War
MARCUS: (holding up a letter) They accepted me. The welding program at the college. Starts in January. DENISE: (not looking up from the stove) January. That's the month the shop needs you most. MARCUS: Mr. Pereira said he'd keep my Saturdays. DENISE: Saturdays. And what do we do about rent with Saturdays? MARCUS: There's a grant, Mom. I applied. It covers tuition, and there's a little extra. DENISE: (turns off the burner, finally faces him) A little extra. You've been planning this. MARCUS: Since March. DENISE: Since March. (A pause.) Your father wanted to be a welder. Did you know that? MARCUS: (quietly) No. DENISE: He used to watch them build the bridge over the river. Said it was like watching people sew with fire. (She takes the letter, reads it slowly.) January. MARCUS: January. DENISE: (folding the letter carefully and putting it on the fridge under a magnet) Then you'll need proper boots.
17.In the scene about Marcus's acceptance letter, what does Denise's final line, "Then you'll need proper boots," show?
1. She wants him to work more shifts at the shop
2. She is changing the subject to avoid the issue
3. She has accepted and now supports his decision
4. She thinks the college will not accept him
18.A 1.2 kg bag of rice costs $5.49 and a 750 g bag costs $3.99. Which is the better buy per kilogram?
1. The 750 g bag, about $5.32/kg
2. The 750 g bag, about $3.99/kg
3. The 1.2 kg bag, about $4.58/kg
4. Both cost the same per kilogram
19.Choose the correct revision: "Neither the forms nor the receipt WERE in the folder."
1. are
2. have been
3. were
4. was
20.Which is the best use of the last ten minutes of the 75-minute CAEC Writing test?
1. Proofread for spelling, punctuation and sentence errors
2. Start writing a brand-new essay on a different topic
3. Copy the full prompt into the essay one more time
4. Add a second thesis that argues the opposite side
Northgate Community Centre — Winter Programs Registration opens Monday, January 6, at 9 a.m. online or at the front desk. Residents of Northgate register first; non-residents may register starting January 13. Learn to Skate (ages 4–8) Saturdays, 10:00–10:45 a.m., 8 weeks. $64. Helmets are required; CSA-approved hockey helmets are accepted. Adult Conversational French Tuesdays, 7:00–8:30 p.m., 10 weeks. $90. Beginner level; no textbook needed. Seniors' Chair Yoga (ages 60+) Mondays and Thursdays, 1:00–2:00 p.m., 8 weeks. $48 for both days or $28 for one day per week. Fee assistance: Households with low incomes may apply for a 50% reduction on program fees. Apply at the front desk with proof of income before registering. Cancellations: Full refunds are given up to seven days before a program starts. After that, refunds are given only with a medical note.
21.Using the Northgate brochure, what would a low-income household pay for Learn to Skate after fee assistance?
1. $48
2. $64
3. $32
4. $28
22.What does "sense of place" mean in geography?
1. The feelings and identity people connect to a place
2. The distance between two cities on a map
3. The number of people living in one square kilometre
4. The exact latitude and longitude of a location
23.Which service is usually a municipal responsibility?
1. Firefighting
2. Postal delivery to every address
3. Employment insurance for workers
4. Criminal law across the country
24.About how long does it take to see a CAEC Writing test score?
1. About 20 business days
2. About 6 months
3. About 2 business days
4. Immediately after the test
25.Which factor most often influences which research projects get done?
1. The weather on the first day
2. The researcher's birthday
3. The colour of the laboratory
4. Available funding
26.A plumber charges a $40 call-out fee plus $15 per half-hour. The bill is $115. How many half-hours did she work?
1. 10
2. 7.7
3. 5
4. 3
27.Simplify the expression with a power: 2 × 3².
1. 36
2. 12
3. 18
4. 11
28.A cleaning product's label shows a skull and crossbones in a red diamond. What does this WHMIS pictogram warn about?
1. It is a gas that is stored under high pressure
2. It can cause death or toxicity with short exposure
3. It can corrode metals and burn a person's skin
4. It is flammable and catches fire very easily
29.Jordan chooses to work an extra shift instead of attending a concert. What is the opportunity cost of his choice?
1. The tax he will pay on his weekly pay
2. The cost of a bus ticket to work that day
3. The money he earned on the extra shift
4. The concert he gave up
30.What is the surface area of a cube with edges of 4 cm?
1. 64 cm²
2. 96 cm²
3. 48 cm²
4. 16 cm²
31.In a drug trial, some patients get a sugar pill instead of the real drug. What is the sugar pill called?
1. A placebo
2. A sample
3. A hypothesis
4. A variable
32.Find the range of these temperatures in °C: −4, 3, 7, −1, 10.
1. 11
2. 14
3. 6
4. 15
33.In what year did Confederation create the Dominion of Canada?
1. 1812
2. 1914
3. 1867
4. 1759
MARCUS: (holding up a letter) They accepted me. The welding program at the college. Starts in January. DENISE: (not looking up from the stove) January. That's the month the shop needs you most. MARCUS: Mr. Pereira said he'd keep my Saturdays. DENISE: Saturdays. And what do we do about rent with Saturdays? MARCUS: There's a grant, Mom. I applied. It covers tuition, and there's a little extra. DENISE: (turns off the burner, finally faces him) A little extra. You've been planning this. MARCUS: Since March. DENISE: Since March. (A pause.) Your father wanted to be a welder. Did you know that? MARCUS: (quietly) No. DENISE: He used to watch them build the bridge over the river. Said it was like watching people sew with fire. (She takes the letter, reads it slowly.) January. MARCUS: January. DENISE: (folding the letter carefully and putting it on the fridge under a magnet) Then you'll need proper boots.
34.In the drama scene about Marcus's acceptance letter, what program has Marcus been accepted to?
1. A bridge-building apprenticeship
2. A university engineering degree
3. A college welding program
4. A cooking course at the shop
35.A restaurant bill is $64.00. You leave a 15% tip. How much is the tip?
1. $6.40
2. $73.60
3. $15.00
4. $9.60
36.Which transition best fits? "The apartment is small. ___, it is close to the subway and the rent is low."
1. As a result
2. On the other hand
3. In addition
4. For example
37.Which sentence uses the most precise word choice for a persuasive essay?
1. The new crosswalk cut pedestrian injuries on Elm Street by half.
2. The new crosswalk made things a lot better on Elm Street.
3. The new crosswalk was really good and helped stuff.
4. The new crosswalk changed a bunch of things for people.
Bay Road Bridge to Close for Repairs The Bay Road bridge over Mill Creek will close to all traffic from May 5 to August 29 while crews replace its deck, the county announced Tuesday. The bridge, built in 1964, carries about 6,000 vehicles a day. A county inspection last fall found that salt and freeze-thaw cycles had cracked the concrete deck. "The bridge is safe today, but it will not stay safe without this work," said county engineer Hana Sato. During the closure, drivers will be detoured along Route 9 and Pine Street, adding about seven minutes to a typical trip. A temporary footbridge will let pedestrians and cyclists continue to cross. Some business owners on Bay Road are worried. "Summer is our busiest season," said Luis Ortega, who runs a bakery near the bridge. "If people can't drive past, they won't stop." The county says it chose the summer because concrete cures best in warm weather. The $3.2-million project is funded jointly by the county and the province.
38.In the Bay Road bridge article, why is the quotation from Hana Sato included?
1. To describe the bakery's summer sales
2. To explain why the repair is needed now
3. To announce the detour route for drivers
4. To show that the bridge is already unsafe
39.Which ocean borders Canada to the north?
1. The Atlantic Ocean
2. The Pacific Ocean
3. The Arctic Ocean
4. The Indian Ocean
40.What is the last step before a bill passed by Parliament becomes law?
1. A national vote by all citizens
2. Royal assent
3. A second reading in the Senate chamber
4. Approval by the Supreme Court of Canada
41.What does the CAEC Writing test ask you to produce?
1. One persuasive writing task
2. A summary of a reading passage
3. Two short personal letters
4. Forty grammar questions
42.A town is deciding whether to add fluoride to its water. Which approach best weighs risks and benefits?
1. Decide based only on which choice is the cheapest for the town
2. Ask one long-time resident what they would personally prefer
3. Compare evidence on dental health with evidence on possible harms
4. Choose whatever the neighbouring towns decided many years ago
43.A table shows x = 1, 2, 3 and y = 7, 9, 11. Which rule fits?
1. y = 7x
2. y = x + 6
3. y = 2x + 5
4. y = 3x + 4
44.Divide 5/6 by 1/3. Which mixed number is the quotient?
1. 3 1/3
2. 1 1/2
3. 5/18
4. 2 1/2
A student tests whether the temperature of water affects how fast sugar dissolves. She uses three beakers with 200 mL of water at 10 °C, 25 °C and 50 °C. In each, she stirs in 10 g of sugar at the same speed and times how long it takes to dissolve. Results: 10 °C: 95 s; 25 °C: 60 s; 50 °C: 28 s.
45.Why does the student use 200 mL of water and 10 g of sugar in every beaker of the sugar experiment?
1. To make the sugar take longer to dissolve completely
2. To keep these variables controlled so the test is fair
3. To change the independent variable between the beakers
4. To be able to drink the sugar water results afterward
46.A new video game becomes very popular, but the company made only a few copies. What is the most likely short-term result?
1. The company is required by law to stop selling
2. Prices fall because many copies are unsold
3. Demand for the game drops to zero immediately
4. Prices rise and copies sell out
47.An L-shaped room is a 10 m × 6 m rectangle with a 4 m × 3 m corner cut out. What is its area?
1. 60 m²
2. 72 m²
3. 39 m²
4. 48 m²
48.Why should participants be assigned to treatment and control groups at random?
1. So the researcher can choose the healthiest people
2. So the groups are alike except for the treatment
3. So the results always support the hypothesis
4. So the study needs fewer participants
49.A scatterplot shows that as outdoor temperature rises, ice cream sales rise. How is this relationship described?
1. A positive correlation
2. A perfect circle
3. A negative correlation
4. No correlation
50.New France was founded mainly by settlers from which country?
1. France
2. Spain and Portugal together
3. The Netherlands
4. Britain and Ireland

Answer key with explanations

1. C — 15 L
Set up the proportion 3/4 = x/20. Then x = 20 × 3 ÷ 4 = 15 L. 26.7 L flips the ratio (20 × 4 ÷ 3), and 80 multiplies 20 by 4.
Math: number sense and money · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 4 Mathematics, Part II outcome 1.2 (p. 4)
2. D — Because it snowed heavily, the bus was late and many workers arrived after nine.
"Because" shows that the snow caused the delay, and "and" joins the two results. The second choice is a run-on with commas, the third lacks punctuation, and the last changes the meaning.
Reading: grammar and language conventions · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 2 Reading, Outcome 3.2 (p. 2)
3. A — Bike lanes make roads safer; city data show fewer injuries on streets with protected lanes.
Good support states a reason and immediately backs it with relevant evidence. The other choices pair the reason with an unrelated fact or no evidence at all.
Writing: the persuasive essay · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 3 Writing, Writing outcomes (p. 3)
4. B — On a temporary footbridge
The article says "A temporary footbridge will let pedestrians and cyclists continue to cross." Route 9 is the detour for drivers, and no shuttle is mentioned.
Reading: informational texts · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 2 Reading, Original practice passage — informational text (p. 2)
5. B — 10 provinces and 3 territories
Canada has ten provinces and three territories: Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Social studies: geography and the environment · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 6 Social studies, Social studies outcome 4.1 (p. 9)
6. B — Aboriginal and treaty rights
Section 35 recognizes and affirms the existing Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The other rights listed are not in the Constitution.
Social studies: citizenship and government · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 6 Social studies, Social studies outcome 1.5 (p. 8)
7. C — Approaching minimum standard; the test must be rewritten
48% falls in the Approaching band (40–54%). Any result below 55% must be retaken, but only for that subject, not all five tests.
CAEC format, scoring and rules · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 1 Overview, Alberta.ca How to earn your CAEC (2026)
8. A — Litter that harms wildlife in waterways
Bags were designed to be cheap and convenient; litter harming animals in lakes and oceans was not intended. The other choices are intended benefits.
Science: technology, society and environment · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 5 Science, Science outcome 3.1 (p. 6)
9. B — 21
Let the smaller be x: x + (x + 6) = 48, so 2x + 6 = 48, 2x = 42 and x = 21. The larger is 27. 24 splits 48 evenly and ignores the difference.
Math: patterns and algebra · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 4 Mathematics, Part II outcome 2.2 (p. 4)
10. B — 23
Multiply before adding: 4 × 5 = 20, then 3 + 20 = 23. Working left to right gives (3 + 4) × 5 = 35, which breaks the order of operations.
Math Part I: computation without a calculator · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 4 Mathematics, Part I outcome 1.4 (p. 4)
11. C — A circle graph
A circle graph shows how parts make up a whole (100%). Line graphs show change over time, and scatterplots show the relationship between two numeric variables.
Science: inquiry skills and data · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 5 Science, Science outcome 2.8 (p. 6)
12. A — Buying goods and services
Consumers buy goods and services, and their choices signal to producers what to make. Printing money and setting rates are central-bank roles, and laws are made by legislatures.
Social studies: economics · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 6 Social studies, Social studies outcome 2.6 (p. 8)
13. C — 10 cm
Pythagorean theorem: c² = 6² + 8² = 36 + 64 = 100, so c = √100 = 10 cm. 14 adds the legs, and 48 multiplies them.
Math: geometry and measurement · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 4 Mathematics, Part II outcome 3.3 (p. 4)
14. C — Peer review
Peer review is the evaluation of research by independent experts before publication. Replication means repeating a study, random sampling is how participants are chosen, and blinding hides who gets the treatment.
Science: the nature of science · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 5 Science, Science outcome 1.4 (p. 6)
15. A — 25
Adding the same amount to every value adds that amount to the mean: 20 + 5 = 25. Multiplying (100) or dividing (4) would only apply if every value were multiplied or divided.
Math: data and probability · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 4 Mathematics, Part II outcome 4.2 (p. 4)
16. A — The residential school system
In 2008 the Prime Minister formally apologized to former students of residential schools, where many Indigenous children were separated from their families and suffered abuse. The other choices were not the subject of that apology.
Social studies: historical and contemporary Canada · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 6 Social studies, Social studies outcome 3.7 (p. 8)
17. C — She has accepted and now supports his decision
Putting the letter on the fridge and thinking about the boots he will need shows acceptance and quiet support. The college has already accepted him, and she is not avoiding the topic.
Reading: literary texts · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 2 Reading, Original practice passage — literary text (p. 2)
18. C — The 1.2 kg bag, about $4.58/kg
Unit price = cost ÷ mass. 5.49 ÷ 1.2 ≈ $4.58/kg; 750 g = 0.75 kg, and 3.99 ÷ 0.75 = $5.32/kg. The lower unit price, the 1.2 kg bag, is the better buy.
Math: number sense and money · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 4 Mathematics, Part II outcome 1.2 (p. 4)
19. D — was
With "neither ... nor," the verb agrees with the nearer subject. "Receipt" is singular, so the verb is "was." The other choices are plural or change the tense.
Reading: grammar and language conventions · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 2 Reading, Outcome 3.1 (p. 2)
20. A — Proofread for spelling, punctuation and sentence errors
Conventions, mechanics and syntax are a third of the score, so checking for errors is time well spent. A new essay, a second thesis or a copied prompt would hurt the score.
Writing: the persuasive essay · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 3 Writing, Writing outcomes (p. 3)
21. C — $32
Learn to Skate costs $64, and fee assistance reduces program fees by 50%: $64 × 0.5 = $32. $28 and $48 are Chair Yoga prices, and $64 ignores the reduction.
Reading: informational texts · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 2 Reading, Original practice passage — informational text (p. 2)
22. A — The feelings and identity people connect to a place
Sense of place is the meaning, attachment and identity people give a place through culture, history and experience. Latitude, density and distance are measurable facts about location.
Social studies: geography and the environment · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 6 Social studies, Social studies outcome 4.4 (p. 9)
23. A — Firefighting
Municipal governments handle services such as firefighting, emergency services, recycling, transit and snow removal. Employment insurance, criminal law and the post office are federal.
Social studies: citizenship and government · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 6 Social studies, Social studies outcome 1.4 (p. 8)
24. A — About 20 business days
Reading, Math, Science and Social Studies scores appear in about 2 business days because they are machine scored. The Writing task is scored by people and takes about 20 business days.
CAEC format, scoring and rules · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 1 Overview, Alberta.ca How to earn your CAEC (2026)
25. D — Available funding
Research needs money for equipment and staff, so funding priorities from governments and companies strongly shape what is studied. The other choices are irrelevant.
Science: technology, society and environment · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 5 Science, Science outcome 3.3 (p. 6)
26. C — 5
Write 40 + 15h = 115. Subtract 40: 15h = 75. Divide: h = 5 half-hours. 7.7 divides 115 by 15 without removing the fee.
Math: patterns and algebra · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 4 Mathematics, Part II outcome 2.2 (p. 4)
27. C — 18
Powers come before multiplication: 3² = 9, then 2 × 9 = 18. Squaring 6 gives 36, and 12 treats the exponent as × 2.
Math Part I: computation without a calculator · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 4 Mathematics, Part I outcome 1.4 (p. 4)
28. B — It can cause death or toxicity with short exposure
The skull and crossbones pictogram is used for acute toxicity: small amounts can be fatal or toxic after short exposure. Flammable products use the flame, pressurized gases the gas cylinder and corrosives the corrosion symbol.
Science: inquiry skills and data · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 5 Science, Science outcome 2.5 (p. 6)
29. D — The concert he gave up
Opportunity cost is the value of the best alternative given up. By working, Jordan gives up the concert. The money earned is the benefit of his choice, not its cost.
Social studies: economics · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 6 Social studies, Social studies outcome 2.5 (p. 8)
30. B — 96 cm²
A cube has 6 square faces. Each is 4 × 4 = 16 cm², so 6 × 16 = 96 cm². 64 is the volume (4³) in cm³, and 16 is one face.
Math: geometry and measurement · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 4 Mathematics, Part II outcome 3.5 (p. 4)
31. A — A placebo
A placebo looks like the treatment but has no active ingredient. Comparing the two groups shows whether the drug works better than simply believing you are being treated.
Science: the nature of science · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 5 Science, Science outcome 1.4 (p. 6)
32. B — 14
Range = highest − lowest = 10 − (−4) = 14. 6 subtracts 4 instead of −4, and 11 uses −1 as the lowest.
Math: data and probability · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 4 Mathematics, Part II outcome 4.2 (p. 4)
33. C — 1867
The British North America Act created the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867. 1759 is the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, 1812 the start of the War of 1812 and 1914 the start of the First World War.
Social studies: historical and contemporary Canada · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 6 Social studies, Social studies outcome 3.5 (p. 8)
34. C — A college welding program
Marcus says, "The welding program at the college." The bridge is something his father watched being built, and the stove and the shop are part of the setting, not the program.
Reading: literary texts · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 2 Reading, Original practice passage — literary text (p. 2)
35. D — $9.60
Tip = 15% of $64.00 = 0.15 × 64 = $9.60. $6.40 is only 10%, and $73.60 is the bill plus the tip, not the tip alone.
Math: number sense and money · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 4 Mathematics, Part II outcome 1.1 (p. 4)
36. B — On the other hand
The second sentence gives advantages that balance the first sentence's drawback, so a contrast transition fits. "As a result" shows cause, "For example" an illustration, and "In addition" simply adds.
Reading: grammar and language conventions · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 2 Reading, Outcome 3.2 (p. 2)
37. A — The new crosswalk cut pedestrian injuries on Elm Street by half.
Precise diction names exactly what changed and by how much. "Things," "stuff," "a lot" and "a bunch" are vague and weaken the voice and the argument.
Writing: the persuasive essay · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 3 Writing, Writing outcomes (p. 3)
38. B — To explain why the repair is needed now
Sato says the bridge is safe today but will not stay safe without the work, which justifies the project. She does not say it is unsafe now, and the detour and the bakery are covered elsewhere.
Reading: informational texts · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 2 Reading, Original practice passage — informational text (p. 2)
39. C — The Arctic Ocean
Canada is bordered by the Pacific to the west, the Atlantic to the east and the Arctic to the north. The Indian Ocean does not touch Canada.
Social studies: geography and the environment · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 6 Social studies, Social studies outcome 4.1 (p. 9)
40. B — Royal assent
After both the House of Commons and the Senate pass a bill, it receives Royal Assent from the Governor General and becomes law. A referendum or court approval is not required.
Social studies: citizenship and government · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 6 Social studies, Social studies outcome 1.1 (p. 8)
41. A — One persuasive writing task
The Writing test is a single persuasive writing task completed in 75 minutes. Grammar questions appear on the Reading test, and there are no letters or summaries on the Writing test.
CAEC format, scoring and rules · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 1 Overview, Overview table (p. 1)
42. C — Compare evidence on dental health with evidence on possible harms
Weighing risks and benefits means looking at evidence on both sides before deciding. Cost alone, one opinion or copying others ignores part of the evidence.
Science: technology, society and environment · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 5 Science, Science outcome 3.2 (p. 6)
43. C — y = 2x + 5
y rises by 2 when x rises by 1, so the rule is 2x plus a constant. At x = 1, 2(1) + 5 = 7. y = x + 6 works only for x = 1, and 7x gives 14 at x = 2.
Math: patterns and algebra · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 4 Mathematics, Part II outcome 2.1 (p. 4)
44. D — 2 1/2
Dividing by a fraction means multiplying by its reciprocal: 5/6 × 3/1 = 15/6 = 5/2 = 2 1/2. Multiplying without flipping gives 5/18.
Math Part I: computation without a calculator · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 4 Mathematics, Part I outcome 1.1 (p. 4)
45. B — To keep these variables controlled so the test is fair
Keeping the water volume and sugar mass the same makes them controlled variables, so only temperature changes between beakers. Then differences in time can be linked to temperature.
Science: inquiry skills and data · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 5 Science, Science outcome 2.3 (p. 6)
46. D — Prices rise and copies sell out
High demand with limited supply pushes prices up and causes shortages. Prices fall only when supply exceeds demand.
Social studies: economics · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 6 Social studies, Social studies outcome 2.3 (p. 8)
47. D — 48 m²
Whole rectangle: 10 × 6 = 60 m². Cut-out corner: 4 × 3 = 12 m². Area = 60 − 12 = 48 m². 72 adds the corner instead of subtracting.
Math: geometry and measurement · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 4 Mathematics, Part II outcome 3.4 (p. 4)
48. B — So the groups are alike except for the treatment
Random assignment spreads differences such as age and health evenly between groups, so any difference in results is more likely due to the treatment. Choosing people yourself would introduce bias.
Science: the nature of science · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 5 Science, Science outcome 1.4 (p. 6)
49. A — A positive correlation
When one variable increases as the other increases, the points trend upward: a positive correlation. A negative correlation trends downward, and no correlation shows no pattern.
Math: data and probability · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 4 Mathematics, Part II outcome 4.1 (p. 4)
50. A — France
New France, along the St. Lawrence River, was settled by colonists from France beginning in the early 1600s. Its French language and civil law traditions continue in Quebec today.
Social studies: historical and contemporary Canada · Based on: CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject (Alberta.ca, 2024), Ch. 6 Social studies, Social studies outcome 3.4 (p. 8)

Original practice questions by Canada Exam Prep, written from the official handbook. Not official test questions. Free to print for personal study.

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CAEC questions and answers (printable): common questions

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No. The CAEC Testing Service (Government of Alberta) with provincial and territorial governments; TVO in Ontario keeps its question bank private. Every question here is original and written from the CAEC Test Outcomes and Evaluation Plan by Subject, the material the real test is based on. Understanding the rules, not memorising answers, is what helps on test day.

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50, chosen from all 17 topics in our bank of 269 questions. For more, use the online practice tests, which show the correct answer and an explanation after every question.

CAEC test questions: 50 printable practice questions with answers