Special Admissions
Special Admissions testing is used to determine the eligibility of applicants who do not meet a program’s regular admission requirements.
After you apply for your program of interest, a College representative will review your high school transcript and refer you to Assessment Services for testing if necessary. After testing arrangements have been made, we will send you further information and instructions.
Regular admissions requirements can be found on your program’s webpage. If you have any questions regarding program admission requirements or are unsure whether you meet your program’s admission requirements, please contact an academic advisor. They will be able to answer any questions that you may have.
The test you will write depends on the admission requirements of the program. Please explore the links below for examples of the different types of Special Admissions testing we offer.
If you have further questions, please contact us.
Note: Effective November 1, 2024, the CAAT C: Number Operations and Reading Comprehension tests are no longer used for Special Admissions Testing. Test scores from these tests will still be accepted by the College provided they meet minimum score requirements and are no more than one year old at the time of applying to program.
ACCUPLACER: Arithmetic
- Computer-based test
- 20 multiple choice questions
- 60 minutes
- 5 knowledge and skill categories assessed:
- Whole number operations
- Fraction operations
- Decimal operations
- Percentage
- Number comparisons and equivalents
- ACCUPLACER Prep Resources
- Academic Success Centre Resources:
ACCUPLACER: Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics (QAS)
- Computer-based test
- 20 multiple choice questions
- 60 minutes
- 10 knowledge and skill categories assessed:
- Rational numbers
- Ratio and proportional relationships
- Exponents
- Algebraic expressions
- Linear equations
- Linear applications and graphs
- Probability and sets
- Descriptive statistics
- Geometry concepts for algebra
- ACCUPLACER Practice Resources
- Academic Success Centre Resources:
ACCUPLACER: Reading
- Computer-based test
- 20 multiple choice questions
- 60 minutes
- 4 broad knowledge and skill categories assessed:
- Information and ideas (reading closely, determining central ideas and themes, summarizing, understanding relationships)
- Rhetoric (analyzing word choice rhetorically, analyzing text structure, analyzing point of view, analyzing purpose, analyzing arguments)
- Synthesis (analyzing multiple texts)
- Vocabulary
- ACCUPLACER Practice Resources
ACCUPLACER Score Requirements
| Program Requirement | ACCUPLACER Test | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Math 40S; Pre-Calculus Math 40S | Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics (QAS) | 253 |
| Essential Math 40S | Arithmetic | 251 |
| Applied Math 30S; Pre-Calculus Math 30S | Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics (QAS) | 247 |
| Essential Math 30S | Arithmetic | 248 |
| Applied Math 20S; Pre-Calculus Math 20S | Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics (QAS) | 237 |
| Essential Math 20S | Arithmetic | 245 |
| English 40S | Reading | 248 |
| English 30S | Reading | 238 |
| English 20S | Reading | 233 |
Science – Resources
Biology
Study guide for RRC Biology entrance exam
The exam is 40 questions, multiple-choice and timed at 60 minutes.
Note: These are only suggested topics for you to study, and other topics appear on the test as well.
- You should know a general method for conducting a scientific experiment and the major steps involved in the scientific method.
- Information about the key organs, relationship among the organs, function of the organs, and function of the overall system for each of the following:
- Central Nervous System
- Circulatory system
- Digestive system
- Endocrine system
- Excretory system
- Respiratory system
- Skeletal system
- Information related to the individual cell in terms of structure and function, including:
- Cell structures (e.g., mitochondria, cell membrane, ribosomes, nucleus,vacuoles, etc.)
- Chromosomes, genes and DNA (know definitions and functions)
- Mitosis and Meiosis
- Amino Acids
- Cellular energy
- Cell reproduction
- Metabolic process and enzyme functions
- Cellular respiration
- Process of photosynthesis
- Classification systems
- Categories of animal classification (e.g., kingdom-phylum-genus-species)
- Differences among various classification of animals (e.g., reptile v. mammal)
- Categories of plant classification
- Genetics
- Human prenatal development • Heredity
- Theory of evolution and natural selection
- Definitions of analogous, homologous, homozygous
Chemistry
Pre-Tech Chemistry Test: Study Guide
Basics: Understand and be able to use any definitions and formulas for the following topics (and sub-headings).
- Measurement: scientific notation; SI and metric units; conversion factors; matter, mass and weight; density and specific gravity
- Temperature: temperature scales and conversions
- Elements: symbols; periodic table; group classifications; metal, non-metalsand metalloids; transition metals
- Atoms: electrons, protons and neutrons; atomic number and massnumber; isotopes and atomic mass; electron energy levels (shells), theperiodic law; subshells and orbitals (and the organization of electrons)
- Compounds: valence electrons; octet rule; ions, ionic compounds andpolyatomic ions; covalent bonds; bond polarity; writing formulas
- Concepts of matter: energy and heat; physical states; homogenous andheterogeneous; physical properties and changes; chemical properties andchanges
- Chemical reactions: writing and balancing chemical equations; types ofreactions (decomposition, combustion, replacement, etc); oxidation- reduction reactions; exothermic and endothermic reactions; chemical equilibrium
- Chemical quantities: the mole and gram-atom; calculations using molar mass; percent composition and empirical formulas; mole relationships and conservation of mass in equations and reactions; equilibrium constants
- Gases: volume, pressure and temperature and their relationship; gas pressure and atmospheric pressure; STP and molar volume
- Solutions: hydrates; electrolytes and non-electrolytes; solubility; molarity
- Acids and Bases
Problem Solving: Your understanding must be sufficient to solve problems in particular subjects.
General Science (CAAT C)
You will need to know how to read and interpret graphs, diagrams, and charts in order to answer questions.
You will need to know a general method for conducting a scientific experiment and the major steps involved in the scientific method.
Be familiar with the following concepts:
Plants
- Overall structure and cell structure
- Respiration
- Life cycle of plants
- Access resources online on food production, growth process and the factors that affect growth.
Animals
Energy
- Laws
- Momentum
- Friction 1 and Friction 2
- Gravity
- Evaporation and condensation of water
- Sound properties, sound travel and vibration
- Light reflection and the colour spectrum
- Fossils
- Classification of minerals and metals
- Astronomy (e.g., our solar system, constellations, relationship between the Earth and moon, relationship between Earth and sun)
- Seasonal changes/seasonal patterns and their effects on life
- Natural disasters and their effects
- Soil properties and soil erosion
- Properties of matter and the law of conservation
Note: These are only suggested topics for you to study, and other topics will be on the test.
Physics
RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dené, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.
We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.