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January provincial achievement tests and diploma exams

Fri, 31 Oct, 2025

To ensure students and teachers can concentrate on learning after lost instructional time due to the teacher strike, the province announced today the January 2026 diploma examinations and the January Grade 9 Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs) are cancelled.

Grade 12 students will receive their school-awarded mark as their final course mark. A note will be added to student transcripts confirming that no diploma exam was written, ensuring there is no impact on students’ ability to graduate or transition into post-secondary programs.

October and November diploma exams

As a reminder, the province previously announced that October/November diploma exams are optional.

If you have paid a rewrite fee and your child will no longer be taking the October and November diploma exam(s), please email exam.admin@gov.ab.ca to request a refund.

Students who do not write the October and November diploma exams can still complete their courses and graduate on time. Their final grade will be based entirely on the school-awarded mark provided by their teacher.

The choice not to write the October and November diploma exams will not affect a student’s ability to apply to, be accepted by or attend post-secondary institutions after graduation.