Academic Communications Assessment
The Academic Communications Assessment (ACA) is used for entry into the following Community Services programs: Child and Youth Care, Disability and Community Support, Early Childhood Education (ECE), and ECE Workplace.
This assessment should be completed before applying for a Community Services program to ensure you meet the required levels.
Test Details
Note: This test is eligible to be completed in-person at the Assessment Centre or online (remotely). See registration page for details.
The Academic Communication Assessment (ACA) is a pre-application admission requirement for Community Services programs. The ACA tests your ability to read and write at post-secondary college level. You will read a short article and will then write a five-paragraph essay based on what you have read.
Details of the assessment:
- It tests your comprehension of a reading related to your RRC Polytech program of interest.
- It tests your writing skills through the completion of a five-paragraph essay writing task.
You will have 90 minutes to complete the assessment.
Assessment Rubric
The essay you complete will be graded on the following rubric:
- Content Development (how well you engage with the topic).
- Conventions of the Genre (if you write a five-paragraph essay including an introduction and conclusion).
- Cohesion and Coherence (how well your sentences and paragraphs are organized).
- Mechanics and Expression (how accurate your spelling, punctuation, and grammar are).
Each criterion is out of 5 marks, for a total of 20 marks.
A. Content Development
5 Marks
- There is sophisticated and thorough discussion of ideas that shows a highly proficient understanding of the topic.
4 Marks
- There is a thorough discussion of ideas that shows a proficient understanding of the topic.
3 Marks
- There is a relevant discussion of ideas that shows understanding of the topic.
2 Marks
- There is a superficial discussion of ideas that is mostly relevant and shows some understanding of the topic.
1 Mark
- There is a simple discussion of ideas that shows a basic understanding of the topic.
0 Marks
- Does not meet criteria for a ‘1’
B. Conventions of the Genre
5 Marks
- The essay has a fully developed introduction with a well-crafted thesis. Body paragraphs are evenly developed. There is a conclusion that summarizes the main ideas and synthesizes information.
4 Marks
- The essay includes an introduction with an effective thesis and a conclusion that summarizes the main ideas. Three body paragraphs have been written but some paragraphs may not be sufficiently developed.
3 Marks
- The essay includes an introduction with an adequate thesis and a conclusion. Only two body paragraphs have been written.
2 Marks
- The essay includes a basic introduction or a basic conclusion. Only one body paragraph has been written.
1 Mark
- The essay does not include an introduction or a conclusion. Only one body paragraph has been written.
0 Marks
- Does not meet criteria for a ‘1’
C. Cohesion and Coherence
5 Marks
- Paragraphs are structured in a sophisticated way. Links between paragraphs clearly advance the argument. A range of connecting and cohesive phrases are used skillfully. There is a highly effective progression of ideas.
4 Marks
- Paragraphs are well-structured. Links between paragraphs are present. Connecting and cohesive phrases are used effectively. There is a logical progression of ideas.
3 Marks
- Paragraphs are adequately structured. There may be links between paragraphs. Connecting and cohesive phrases are used adequately. There is a logical progression of ideas, but this may be uneven.
2 Marks
- There is some sense of paragraph structure. There may be no links between paragraphs. There are few connecting/cohesive phrases. There is inconsistent logical progression of ideas.
1 Mark
- There is a limited understanding of paragraph structure. There are no links between paragraphs. The overall structure is lacking, with limited logical progression of ideas.
0 Marks
- Does not meet criteria for a ‘1’
D. Mechanics & Expression
5 Marks
- There is a sophisticated and controlled use of language. Minor errors may be present, but only in ambitious use of language and sentence structure.
4 Marks
- There is an effective and controlled use of language with few errors in expression.
3 Marks
- There is clear and straightforward use of language, with some errors in expression.
2 Marks
- The use of language is mostly clear but with frequent errors.
1 Mark
- The use of language impedes understanding; meaning is unclear.
0 Marks
- Does not meet criteria for a ‘1’
Resources
- Please visit Writing – Academic Writing and Citation for resources on how to write an effective essay.
- Reading and Note Taking – Academic Study Skills
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