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CAEC Social Studies Preparation Course 2026

This course is for adults in Canada who are getting ready for the Social Studies test of the Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC). It follows the four official strands: citizenship and government, economics, historical and contemporary Canada, and geography and the environment, and it practises reading sources such as tables, letters and cartoons. Study each lesson, try its topic quiz, then take the timed 40-question final assessment. Score 80% or more to get a certificate of completion.

  • Course
  • Canada
  • 94 questions
  • Checked October 13, 2026
  • Fact-checked October 13, 2026

Quick answer

This free course has about 300 minutes of lessons, 5 untimed topic quizzes (94 questions in all) and a timed final assessment of 40 questions drawn at random. Score 80% or more on the final assessment to download a certificate of completion (private, not accredited). Checked against official sources on October 13, 2026.

Start with the lessonsCAEC Social Studies Preparation: Lessons: about 300 minutes of reading. Every test question is covered in the lessons.

What you will learn

  • Describe the format, strands, pass mark and retake rules of the CAEC Social Studies test
  • Tell primary from secondary sources and read maps, tables, cartoons and timelines for their main idea
  • Explain how Canada's constitutional monarchy, Parliament, elections and courts work
  • Compare federal, provincial, municipal and Indigenous governments and interpret Charter and section 35 rights
  • Use supply and demand, inflation and trade ideas to explain economic changes
  • Place key events in Canadian history in order and explain their causes and results
  • Describe Canada's regions and how land, resources and migration shape the way people live

Score 80% or more to download your certificate.

Your study plan

Read each lesson, take its topic quiz (untimed, with explanations), then the timed final assessment. A new mix of questions is drawn every time. Your progress is saved in this browser.

  1. Read the lessons5 lessons, about 300 min
  2. Topic quiz 1: The Social Studies test and working with sources17 questions
  3. Topic quiz 2: Citizenship and government20 questions
  4. Topic quiz 3: Economics and economic systems19 questions
  5. Topic quiz 4: Historical and contemporary Canada20 questions
  6. Topic quiz 5: Geography and the environment18 questions
  7. Final exam40 questions, 90 min · Score 80% or more

Topic quiz 1: The Social Studies test and working with sources

  1. Question 1 of 17

    How many questions are on the CAEC Social Studies test?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 40

    The Social Studies test has 40 questions. (Science has 35, Reading has 50 and Mathematics has 42.)

  2. Question 2 of 17

    How much time do you have to write the CAEC Social Studies test?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 90 minutes

    You have 90 minutes for the 40 Social Studies questions.

  3. Question 3 of 17

    What score do you need to pass the CAEC Social Studies test?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 55%

    The minimum passing score on each CAEC test is 55%.

  4. Question 4 of 17

    Which strand has the largest share of the CAEC Social Studies test?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Citizenship and government

    Citizenship and government is 30–40% of the test. Each of the other three strands is 15–25%.

  5. Question 5 of 17

    A learner scores 82% on the Social Studies test. Which result level is that?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Exceeds minimum standard

    Scores from 80% to 100% are "Exceeds minimum standard". Meets minimum standard is 55–79%.

  6. Question 6 of 17

    About how long does it usually take to get your Social Studies result?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. About 2 business days

    Reading, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies results are usually ready in about 2 business days. Writing takes about 20.

  7. Question 7 of 17

    You fail the Social Studies test in March. What is the earliest you may write it again?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. In April

    You may write a subject test no more than once per calendar month and no more than 3 times per calendar year.

  8. Question 8 of 17

    Can you ask for your Social Studies test to be rescored?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. No, it is machine-scored and the score is final

    Social Studies, Mathematics, Science and Reading are machine-scored and final. Only the Writing test can be rescored.

  9. Question 9 of 17

    If you spread your time evenly, about how long can you spend on each Social Studies question?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A little over 2 minutes

    90 minutes ÷ 40 questions = 2.25 minutes, or about 2 minutes 15 seconds per question.

  10. Question 10 of 17

    Which of these is a primary source about the First World War?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A letter a soldier wrote home from France in 1917

    A primary source was made by someone who was there at the time. The other choices were made later by people looking back.

  11. Question 11 of 17

    Which of these is a secondary source about Confederation?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A 2010 history book explaining why the colonies united

    A secondary source explains or interprets events after they happened, using other sources.

  12. Question 12 of 17

    Read the statements below. Which one is an opinion?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Canada should spend more money on its railways.

    Words like "should" show a judgement that people can disagree about. The other statements are facts that can be checked.

  13. Question 13 of 17

    A political cartoon shows a giant tax collector, labelled "Ottawa", stepping on a tiny farmer. What is the cartoonist most likely saying?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Farmers are treated unfairly by the federal government.

    Cartoonists use exaggeration, size and labels to give an opinion. The huge figure crushing the small one suggests unfair treatment.

  14. Question 14 of 17

    A mining company publishes a report saying its new mine will cause "no harm at all" to a nearby river. Why should a reader be careful with this source?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The company benefits if people believe the mine is safe.

    A source can be biased when its author has something to gain. Compare it with other sources, such as independent studies.

  15. Question 15 of 17

    The table shows voter turnout in a made-up town. In which year was turnout highest?
    Election yearVoter turnout
    201054%
    201461%
    201857%
    202249%
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 2014

    Compare the percentages: 61% in 2014 is higher than 54%, 57% and 49%.

  16. Question 16 of 17

    On a map, what does the legend (or key) tell you?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. What the colours, lines and symbols on the map mean

    The legend explains the symbols. The scale shows distance, and the compass rose shows direction.

  17. Question 17 of 17

    Which tools may you NOT use during the CAEC Social Studies test?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A dictionary or a translator

    Dictionaries, thesauruses and translators are not allowed on the Social Studies test. Highlighter, line reader and zoom are built-in supports on digital tests.

What to know before the test

  • The CAEC replaced the GED® in 2024. Completed GED® credentials stay valid.
  • There are five CAEC tests: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. You must pass all five (or meet PLAR requirements) to earn the credential.
  • The Social Studies test has 40 questions in 90 minutes. All CAEC tests are available in English and French.
  • The test has four strands: citizenship and government (30–40%), economics and economic systems (15–25%), historical and contemporary Canada (15–25%), and geography and the environment (15–25%).
  • Most questions (50–70%) are of moderate complexity, testing skills and concepts; 5–15% are recall and 10–25% are strategic thinking.
  • The minimum passing score on each CAEC test is 55%. Social Studies results are usually ready in about 2 business days, and the machine score is final.
  • You may write a subject test once per calendar month and up to 3 times per calendar year.
  • Dictionaries, thesauruses and translators are not allowed on the Social Studies test.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the official CAEC Social Studies test?

No. This is an independent practice course. It is not run by the CAEC Testing Service or any province or territory, and your scores here are not CAEC results.

What does the certificate from this course show?

The certificate of completion shows that you finished this practice course and scored at least 80% on its final assessment. It is not the CAEC, not a high school equivalency and not an official result, so schools and employers will not accept it in place of the CAEC.

Why is the pass mark 80% here when the CAEC needs 55%?

The real test needs 55%. We set a higher bar so that a pass here is a good sign you are ready, not just close.

Do I need to memorize lots of dates for CAEC Social Studies?

Some recall helps, but the official plan says only 5–15% of questions are recall. Most questions ask you to use skills and concepts, such as reading a source, comparing data or explaining causes and results.

Are there official practice tests?

Yes. The Government of Alberta's CAEC page links to a sample test in each subject on the CAEC digital platform, and to the official test outcomes for each subject.

Where do I register for the CAEC?

Each province or territory sets its own eligibility rules and fees and lists its testing centres, so start with your provincial or territorial CAEC page. You then create an account on the CAEC digital platform and book your test at a testing centre.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

Sources

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