Red Seal and Provincial Certification Exam Grade Release and Rewrites

Grade Release

Before you start your exam, you will need to ensure the Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division (ATCD) has your correct email address.

  • If your exam will be an online exam, no action is necessary unless you wish to have your grade sent to a different email address than used to provide you access to the ICEMS online exam portal. If this is the case, send an email to certificationexams@gov.nl.ca.
  • If your exam will be a paper exam, you will need to confirm that the email address on the exam envelope is correct.

Once you have completed your exam and it has been graded, we will send you an email with your results. If you do not receive your results, please reach out to certificationexams@gov.nl.ca. Keep in mind, grades are usually sent out 10 business days after the exam.

Exam Feedback

If you think there is an issue with any of the questions on your exam, you can make a note of the question number on your scrap paper during the exam session and a description of the issue. Be sure to put your name on your scrap paper too. We will pass your comments along to the Program Development Specialist in charge of exam development. For Atlantic and Red Seal exams, your feedback will be shared with the relevant host province or territory for further review. Feedback provided will not result in a change to your grade.

Exam Grading

Quality control measures are in place to minimize errors and eliminate any discretion and subjectivity in grading. As a result, changes to exam scores are extremely rare.

  • For paper exams, exams must be couriered from the exam location to a central office where grading takes place.
    • An answer key is created on a score sheet, then reviewed and verified as correct by a second person.
    • The answer key is scanned into a computer, then the candidate’s score sheets are scanned and the computer compares the score sheets to the answer key.
    • The grade output by the computer is then uploaded into the candidate’s file, and added into an email template for release to the candidate. This is a manual process, which can take some time, especially when there are many exams taking place.
  • Online exams are scored automatically by the computer based on the correct answers identified in the system when the exam is created.
  • Grades are reviewed for anomalies after scoring. Though rare, if these occur, we will investigate thoroughly and make corrections when necessary.

For these reasons, there is a delay between the exam writing and grade release.

The pass rate for all Red Seal and provincial certification exams is 70%.

Exam Breakdown

If you were unsuccessful on your exam attempt (grade of less than 70%), you will receive an email with a breakdown of your results, by exam section, so you can see where you might want to focus for a rewrite.

Rewrite Application Process

Who is Eligible?

If your exam grade is below 70% you may qualify for a rewrite. The rewrite can happen at least 30 calendar days after your original exam writing and should be within 90 days.

For a third or any further exam attempts, you will need to complete a course of study approved by the Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division (ATCD). Reach out to an Apprenticeship Program Officer to talk about your options.

ATCD has a Virtual Learning Strategy (VLS) Program available if you feel you may need additional support to pass your level exam. To learn about the VLS program, click here. You can also now take the initial assessment from the VLS program (the Essential Skills for Success Assessment) on your own. Find out more about the ESSA here.

Monthly rewrites are held in regional ATCD offices.

How to Apply for a Rewrite

  • Submit a Certification Exam Rewrite Registration Form
  • Include documentation outlining the accommodations you need (if applicable and not already provided to ATCD).
  • Submit your form at least 3 weeks before the chosen rewrite date.

What Happens Next?

The Certification Exam Coordinator will assess your form, confirm your eligibility, and check for space availability at your chosen location. A confirmation email with details will be sent at least one week before the exam.

If you cannot attend your rewrite, email certificationexams@gov.nl.ca (with a written explanation of why you cannot attend) at least 3 business days before the exam date to reschedule.

Please Note: If you have deferred your rewrite three times or more, it will only be rescheduled after all other requests for a particular monthly rewrite session have been scheduled.

 

Privacy Note: Any personal information you provide is collected under Section 61(c) of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015, and used solely to determine your eligibility for accommodations. Questions? Contact certificationexams@gov.nl.ca.

Service Standard: click here for details on the service standard for grade release and rewrites.