The Diploma Examinations Program consists of course-specific examinations based on the senior high school programs of study. Students enrolled in the following courses are required to write diploma examinations:
- Biology 30
- Chemistry 30
- English Language Arts 30-1
- English Language Arts 30-2
- Français 30-1
- French Language Arts 30-1
- Mathematics 30-1
- Mathematics 30-2
- Physics 30
- Science 30
- Social Studies 30-1
- Social Studies 30-2
The final mark for diploma examination courses is determined by blending the diploma examination mark (30%) with the school-awarded mark (70%). To obtain credit in a diploma examination course, students are to write the appropriate diploma examination and obtain a final mark in the course of 50% or higher. All diploma examinations are available in the French language, except for English Language Arts 30-1 and English Language Arts 30-2. Students may elect to write either the French or English language version of the respective examination.
For more information on writing diploma exams, including subject bulletins, exemplars and other support documents, see Writing diploma exams. For more information on administration rules, exam schedules, provincial results and forms, see Administering diploma exams.
Registering for diploma examinations
All students currently enrolled in diploma examination courses writing the diploma examination for the first time must be registered by their senior high school principal. All first-time diploma examination writing registrations are to be submitted by the school into PASI.
Students who have written a diploma examination within the current year, or the past 2 years, and wish to rewrite it, must register directly with Alberta Education and pay the required non-refundable rewrite registration fee in myPass. Schools cannot register a student to rewrite a diploma examination.
Mature students and students not currently enrolled in a diploma examination course who wish to write a diploma examination must register directly with Alberta Education in myPass.
All diploma examination registrations must be submitted by the appropriate due date as published at Administering diploma exams.
All schools or writing centres offering diploma examinations must submit their Diploma Examination Sittings and capacity into PASI.
High schools, including those operating summer school programs, are expected to administer diploma exams at their local high school. Students must write diploma exams at their school or a school authority designated writing centre. Mature students not currently enrolled in a diploma examination course may write at a provincial diploma exam writing centre.
Special Writing Centres outside Alberta may be authorized upon application to and approval by the Special Cases and Accommodations Team. For contact information see Appendix 1.
Diploma examinations schedules
For information on diploma examinations schedules, see Administering diploma exams.
Eligibility to write
Students who are registered in an accredited Alberta high school and have completed instruction in a diploma examination course are permitted to write the diploma examination in that course at their school of registration.
Students currently enrolled in a diploma examination course are required to write the diploma examination in that course before credits are awarded.
Students who have been awarded credit previously for a course may register to write a diploma examination for that particular course. Students who have written a diploma examination within the current year, or the past 2 years, and wish to rewrite it, must register directly with Alberta Education and pay the required non-refundable rewrite registration fee in myPass.
Mature Students, as defined in the Diploma and Certificate Requirements section, may register to write the diploma examination without taking instruction.
Students who are not funded by Alberta Education or who are not on a reciprocal exchange are required to pay a non-refundable registration fee to write a diploma examination. For more information, see Administering diploma exams.
Students who are in a home education program are eligible to write diploma examinations. See the Home Education Regulation.
Rewrite fees
Students who intend to rewrite one or more diploma examinations are required to register directly with Alberta Education and pay a non-refundable rewrite registration fee for each examination. This can be done in myPass. This applies whether or not students are receiving instruction in the course through day classes, evening classes, summer school, online learning or print-based distance education programs.
Students are charged a non-refundable rewrite registration fee for a diploma examination if they have written examinations in this course within the current school year or the 2 school years prior to the current school year.
Accommodations for students with special diploma examination writing needs
Students with special diploma examination writing needs may require accommodations to write a diploma examination.
For a list of accommodations and the processes related to requesting them, see Administering diploma exams.
For assistance and inquiries regarding the use of accommodations for diploma examinations, contact the Special Cases and Accommodations Team. For contact information see Appendix 1.
Exemption from writing diploma examinations
Under specific circumstances, a partial or full exemption from the diploma examination may be granted upon application to and approval by the Special Cases and Accommodations Team. For more information, see Administering diploma exams. For contact information see Appendix 1.