Determining your educational plan
If you need help choosing a program, the vocational training and referral centres in some school boards have specialists who can answer your questions.
You may be eligible to register for a program leading to a DVS even if you don’t have your SSD:
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If you are at least 16 years old as of September 30th, have
successfully completed Secondary III and earned Secondary IV credits in language of instruction, second language and mathematics or have been granted recognition of equivalent learning, except for a few programs that require Secondary V credits.
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If you are at least 18 years old and you successfully complete the General Development Test (GDT) and have the specific prerequisites required for the desired program or recognition of equivalent learning.
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Or you successfully complete the Secondary School Equivalency Test (SSET) (TENS).
You may be eligible to register for a program leading to an AVS even if you don’t have a DVS:
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If you practise a trade or occupation related to the program.
Can adults have their work experience recognized when they enroll in vocational training?
Yes, they can with the help of the Service de reconnaissance des acquis extra-scolaires.There's a specific procedure for recognizing prior learning. It is designed to evaluate and formally certify the knowledge, skills and attitudes that people have acquired outside school or vocational training centres, including job experience. Contact your school board to find out how to apply for this type of certification. This procedure will also help you find out what you need to complete your training.
What are a GDT and an SSET?
The GDT, or General Development Test, is an admission exam given prior to entering a program leading to a DVS.
It is a test consisting of about 100 questions on general knowl¬edge in the areas of mechanical reasoning (logic), science, problem solving, written comprehension and language proficiency.
Passing this test indicates that you possess the four competen¬cies deemed sufficient to undertake a program leading to a DVS: to process information, to communicate in writing, to understand basic, important concepts in daily life and to solve problems. The duration of the test is 150 minutes.
The SSET is an equivalency test at the secondary level which allows you to obtain an Attestation of Equivalence of Secondary Studies (AESS). This attestation can replace some of the admission require¬ments for a program leading to a DVS. In some cases, it can also facilitate access to jobs requiring a Secondary School Diploma (SSD). It consists of four 90-minute tests and one 150-minute test.
There are two compulsory English tests, as well as tests in French, Mathematics, Social Sciences, Economics, and Natural Sciences. You must pass the two English and one French test plus your choice of two of the four optional subjects. You are therefore required to pass five out of seven tests in order to obtain your attestation of equivalence of Secondary Studies.
