Diploma Writing Information 2023- 2024
Alberta Education Information on Diploma Exams
Dates, weighting, exemplars, rules and more.
https://www.alberta.ca/writing-diploma-exams
Writing Centres for Summit Trails
- Online students write their diplomas at neighbouring schools. All students are contacted via email, on their dates of the exams and where they are writing.
- RVS Schools
- Summit Trails (located at CW Perry School, Airdrie)
- Outside RVS schools
- Writing Centre Confirmation Email - Students have been communicated with via email and will receive another confirmation email prior to exams.
Preparing For Exam Day
- Bring Photo ID for entrance
- Passports/Vehicle License/School Card/Government Issued Card – you can take a picture on your phone, you don’t need to bring the passport in.
- You can used expired documentation as long as it shows your face and your name on the ID.
- Recommended to show up 15-20 min prior to the exam so that you have time to sign into the school and become oriented with where you are writing.
- Talk to you teacher about diploma prep courses.
Completing the Exams
English Language Arts and Social Studies
- School computers using the Vretta program (Alberta Education)
Math and Science
- paper and pencil exams ( bring your pencils )
- completing a bubble sheet and using the booklet for planning your answers.
Rules for Exam Taking
- Be aware, outside of a calculator, NO technology is permitted. No phones, smart watches, bags etc. Leave the items at home or in your car.
- Once the diploma has started, all students must stay for a least an hour. All students have extra time to complete the exam over the allotted time. For example: 1.5 hours to write the diploma - student can have up to 3 hours if needed.
- No students are permitted entry to the exam after the first hour. Do not be late!
You will access the Vretta website from the school computer. It will look like this:
You will need your Alberta Education number. This is located on the top right hand side of the page when you sign into your PowerSchool account.
Practice Test for ELA 30-1, 3-2 and Social Studies 30-1, 30-2
How do Accommodations Work?
In line with Alberta Ed guidelines, we register accommodations for students with IPPs, ensuring they receive necessary support when they arrive at their exam location. Additionally, some students may choose to decline accommodations based on their abilities, and we respect their decisions.
If you or any parents have further questions or need more information, please feel free to contact us. We are committed to supporting students and parents in creating a conducive learning environment.
Accommodates Available
Reader: Students receive a digital verbal copy of the exam. An MP3 is uploaded to their computer when they arrive, or the school will provide a laptop with it preloaded. The MP3 is deleted from the computer when the child is done.
Time: Students can receive extra time to complete the exam.
Text to Speech: Students can use computers for text to speech tools. Earbuds are not provided by the school and students must bring their own to the exam (wired earbuds/earphones).
Alternate: A student can request an alternate space. That means the student will write in a smaller setting at the school. However, all exams must be written at a school.
Not Writing An Exam?
- If you are NOT writing your exam, please email your teacher and crinehart@rockyview.ab.ca stating why, by January 7th.
- If you do NOT show up for the exam, you will be required to pay a writing fee the next time you register. The fee is paid directly to Alberta Education the school has no ability to override this process.
- you will not receive credit for your course until the Diploma is written.
