Assessment of Reading, Comprehension, and Writing in Economics

ECON 109 is a requirement for BA and BA Honors Economics majors admitted Fall 2025 or later. ECON 109 will be waived as a requirement upon successful completion of the Assessment of Reading, Comprehension, and Writing in Economics. Find out more at: uab.ca/econ109

Assessment Information & Fees

• Students who wish to have ECON 109 waived as a requirement must pass the Assessment of Reading, Comprehension, and Writing in Economics.
• Students are permitted to write the Assessment up to two times.
• If you do not pass the first attempt, rather than writing a second time, you may take ECON 109. The Department of Economics will pay for the first Assessment for all students.
• Students who wish to write a second time are responsible for the fee.
• Students may not attempt a third time; If you do not pass the second attempt, you must take ECON 109.

The Assessment will take place in the Learning Assessment Centre (LAC), located in room 3-106 Education North.

Assessment Schedule

Students can only write once within a session. Students who do not pass the assessment can write a second attempt in a later session. Scheduling an Assessment is a two-part process: students must register to indicate their intent to write the Assessment, and then book a time to write the Assessment. The timeline is as follows:

Registration

Students must register for the assessment before they can book a time to write. Registration deadlines are indicated above. Late registrations will not be accommodated; students will need to wait until the next registration period opens.

Please register using the following form:

ECON Assessment Registration Winter 2026 - Opens on Jan 13, 2026 at 9:00 AM.

Exam Booking

On the Booking Opens date, registered students will receive an invitation to their UAlberta email from Canvas. They can accept the course invite to the Economics Writing Placement course or it will show up on their dashboard. This course will be named: ​​ECONOMICS - "Assessment of Reading, Comprehension, and Writing in Economics" - [Term Year]. This course will allow you to book a timeslot with the LAC. Please note:

• Exams are in person and are booked through your Canvas course page under the “Book your exams with the LAC” module. You must select one of the available days/times.
• Students are allowed one attempt per session.

• If you fail the Assessment, you must wait until the next session to write a second time.

• A no-show will be considered a failed attempt.
• Exam cancellations must be done with a minimum of 48 hours notice to receive a refund. Exams cancelled with less than 48 hours notice will be considered a no-show and failed attempt.

Exam Results

• Results will be released within approximately two weeks of students writing their exam.
• Students will be notified of the result (pass/fail) via the Gradebook Canvas.

• Pass: you have fulfilled the requirement; this information will be updated in your Bear Tracks Academic requirements at a later date.
• Fail (First Attempt): You may register for the Assessment in a subsequent term, or you can elect to take ECON 109.
• Fail (Second Attempt): You are required to complete ECON 109 to fulfill this requirement.

• There will be no review of your submission and feedback on performance is not provided.
• The grade (pass/fail) cannot be appealed.

Writing at the Learning Assessment Centre (LAC)

Q: I’m not on campus; can I take the Assessment online?

A: No, the Assessment will be delivered in person at the LAC and is not available to write online.

Q: I don’t have a OneCard, can I still write my exam?

A: Yes! Please bring some other form of non-expired photo ID (such as your driver’s license or passport) and be sure to have your student ID # memorized. We’ll need it to check you in!

Q: I don’t have my CCID and CCID password memorized. Will I be able to write my exam?

A: You will need to memorize your CCID and password in order to write your exam. If you aren’t able to recall your CCID credentials, you will have to call IST and reset your password before you are able to write your exam.