Preparing for the test

Accommodation measures

We want to make sure you have the support you need to fully demonstrate your abilities. Accommodation measures during testing can be tailored to each situation and candidate.

If you think that assessment accommodation measures could make the test more accessible to you, please notify the responsible officer in the hiring organization as soon as possible.

Learn more about accommodation measures, how to request them and how they work.

Before the test

  • You will receive an email confirming the date and time of your test from the organization that requested your assessment.
  • The Public Service Commission will also send you an email containing an MS Teams meeting link before your scheduled test date. If you have trouble finding this email in your inbox, please check your junk mail or spam folder. If you don’t receive this email with the MS Teams link, be sure to contact the organization that requested your test.
  • If your test is rescheduled, the department that requested your test will inform you of the new date and time. Your original MS Teams meeting link will still be valid, so you will not receive another one.

Test day checklist

  • If you’re a federal government employee, be ready to provide your personal record identifier (PRI). If you don’t have a PRI, you’ll be asked to provide your date of birth for identification and record-keeping purposes.
  • At the scheduled start time of the test, make sure you have 2 pieces of valid original photo identification, at least one of which must be government-issued, so that the assessor can confirm your identity by web camera on MS Teams (a copy or a photo of the identification document will not be accepted).
  • Arrange to be alone in a quiet environment where you will not be disturbed for the duration of the test.
  • For privacy purposes, we recommend that you arrange to take the test in a neutral environment free of personal items or apply virtual background effects in MS Teams. However, a virtual background may sometimes prevent the assessor from clearly seeing your photo identification. If this happens, the assessor may ask you to remove the virtual background for the time necessary to allow them to verify your photo identification.
  • Check the MS Teams link that you received before the test date to make sure that you can connect, and familiarize yourself with the available audio and video options to ensure the test runs smoothly. If you’re using a smartphone or a tablet to connect to the meeting, be sure to download the MS Teams mobile application before the day of your test and use it to join the meeting.
  • If you plan to use your computer to connect to the meeting, you’ll need to use a compatible browser, such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome, or download the MS Teams desktop application. Please note that MS Teams is not supported by Safari or Internet Explorer.
  • Connect to the MS Teams meeting link at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start time of the test to ensure that you have access to the virtual waiting room. The assessor will be notified of your presence and will admit you to the test at the scheduled time.
  • The assessor will read the pre-test instructions in the official language of your choice. Once these pre-test instructions have been given, the assessor will communicate with you only in the language that will be assessed.
  • If you should feel indisposed before or during the test, tell the assessor. Otherwise, if you continue to the end, you must accept the test result.
  • If you have concerns about the testing environment before or during the test, tell the assessor. Otherwise, if you continue to the end, you must accept the test result.

Retest period

There is a 30-day waiting period before you can retake this test. If you retake the test before the retest period is over, your result will not be valid, and you will have to wait another 30 calendar days to retake the test and receive a new valid result.

Privacy, recording, and terms of use

Privacy Notice Statement

This Statement explains the purpose of collection and use of your personal information. The Public Service Commission (PSC) is committed to protecting the privacy rights of individuals, including safeguarding personal information. To be tested, your personal information including test results are collected and used in accordance with the Privacy Act. In some cases, information may be disclosed without your consent for purposes not outlined here pursuant to subsection 8(2) of the Privacy Act. This collection and use of personal information is authorized by the Public Service Employment Act (PSEA) and is required for your participation in this appointment process. The personal information collected is described in Personal Information Bank # PSC PCU 025 “Assessment by the Personnel Psychology Centre” and will be retained in accordance with the standards indicated there. Your test results will be accessible to PSC officials and may be shared with other authorized officials of the PSC and other government organizations for purposes relating to your candidacy. The Privacy Act states that you have the right to access your personal information and to request changes to incorrect information.

To access your personal information or notify us about incorrect information, contact the Access to Information and Privacy Office by e-mail at cfp.aiprp-atip.psc@canada.ca or by calling 819-420-6561 or writing to:

Access to Information and Privacy
Public Service Commission
22 Eddy Street
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0M7

Recording the test

Your test will be recorded for administrative purposes. The content of the recording is protected under the Privacy Act and as also required by this Act, the recording itself will be kept for 2 years. Because of the protected nature of the test, candidates may not record it.

Terms of Use

By agreeing to be tested, you also agree to the following terms of use.

This test is provided solely to:

  • Allow you to demonstrate your ability with respect to the qualification being assessed.
  • Allow you to respond in good faith and to the best of your ability.

By way of example, and not as a limitation, you will not:

  • Retain, reproduce or collect content or information from the test.
  • Complete the test with assistance from other people or other resources (books, dictionaries, glossaries in print or electronic format, websites, translation tools in print or electronic format, tools or software using artificial intelligence, social media, etc.).
  • Share and/or discuss in any medium any content or information from the test, which includes rough notes taken during the test.
  • Misuse information to selectively advantage yourself or disadvantage any other candidate or potential candidate in a federal public service appointment process.
  • Use the test content for commercial gain in any form.
  • Record the test using devices or software.
  • Use the test to further any activity that may be unlawful, misleading or malicious.

Consequences of a Breach of Terms of Use

  • The Public Service Commission reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to pursue any legal remedy/take action against you, including but not limited to the suspension of your test results, termination of your employment application, or claim for copyright infringement and breach of confidence, upon any breach by you of these Terms of Use.
  • Parties involved in the improper retention, disclosure or use of Public Service Commission test content, including this test, may be the subject of an investigation under the Public Service Employment Act, where a finding of fraud may be punishable on summary conviction, or may be referred to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
  • Suspected cheating will in all cases be referred to the Investigations Branch of the Public Service Commission and may be the subject of an investigation under the Public Service Employment Act, where a finding of fraud may be punishable on summary conviction, or may be referred to the RCMP.

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