3 students walking outside on VIU Nanaimo Campus

Assessment and Exam Services (AES)

What we offer

  • External exam invigilation (for other institutions or certifying bodies)
  • Accuplacer assessments (Grade 12 English equivalency)
  • Medical Terminology assessments (for VIU programs, Island Health (IH) applicants and current IH employees)
  • Accommodated exams for VIU students with approved exam accommodations

Nanaimo campus

To book and pay for Accuplacer, external exams, or Medical Terminology at the Nanaimo campus, use our secure online booking system*.

Book with Register Blast (Nanaimo only)

Cowichan campus

For external exams, Accuplacer, ABE testing, or Medical Terminology at Cowichan, contact: assessmentscowichan@viu.ca

tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River) campus

For external exams, Accuplacer, ABE testing or Medical Terminology at Powell River, contact: examspr@viu.ca 

*VIU’s GST# 107657678RT0001

In-person and off-campus exam services

Write the Accuplacer assessment in-person or off-campus.

Please let us know if your Accuplacer is for Health Career Access Program (HCAP) admissions.

Learn more about Accuplacer and study materials

Need accommodations for the Accuplacer?

If you need exam accommodations for the Accuplacer:

  • Contact Accessibility Services to set up your accommodations before you book.
  • When you book your assessment, let us know that you'll need accommodations.

Email Accessibility Services: accessibilityservices@viu.ca 

Nanaimo campus

Book and pay online through RegisterBlast. You’ll receive a confirmation email with your test date and location

Cowichan campus

Email assessmentscowichan@viu.ca to schedule your test.

Information about Medical Terminology Test at VIU

Self-assessments remain in place for these programs:

  • Trades
  • Medical Office Assistant (MOA)
  • Hospital Unit Coordinator (HUC)
  • Animal Care Aide

Contact registration@viu.ca for details.

If you're a VIU student approved for exam accommodations through Accessibility Services, visit our Accommodated Exams page for full instructions and support:

VIU Accommodated Exams

For help with booking, rescheduling, or cancelling exams:

You'll find everything you need in the Student Guide to Accommodated Exams, including the booking link, deadlines, FAQs, troubleshooting tips, and contact information.

VIU campuses

Nanaimo campus

Building 255, Room 115
900 Fifth Street
Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5S5
250.740.6276

Contact Nanaimo Assessment and Exam Services

Cowichan campus

2011 University Way
Duncan BC V9L 0C7
Phone: 250.746.3509

Contact Cowichan Assessments

tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River) campus

100 - 7085 Nootka Street
Powell River BC V8A 3C6
Phone: 604.485.2878
FAX: 604.485.2868

Contact Powell River Assessments

Hay ch qa’ sii’em siye’yu mukw mustimuxw

Assessment and Exam Services respectfully acknowledges and thanks the Coast Salish peoples on whose traditional territories Vancouver Island University is located. In Nanaimo, we acknowledge the Snunéymuxw First Nation; in Cowichan, the Quw’utsun Mustimuhw (Cowichan Tribes); and in tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River), the Tla’amin Nation. We are grateful for the opportunity to live, learn, and work on these lands.

Equity and Excellence in Assessment

Assessment and Exam Services (AES) supports equitable access to education and career pathways by providing secure, inclusive, and professionally administered assessments.

We are committed to removing barriers and upholding the duty to accommodate by designing exam processes that support diverse learners and meet best-practice standards. Our services include accommodated exams for VIU students, foundational skills assessments for course placement, and secure invigilation for internal and external exams, including admissions, certification, licensure, and employment selection.

We strive to create a welcoming, technologically supported testing environment where every test taker is treated with fairness, respect, and care. We value integrity in exam security and administration, collaborative relationships with campus and community partners, and high-quality service delivery.

The results we collect help ensure students are appropriately placed and prepared for success. The data and revenue we generate contribute to institutional effectiveness and student achievement

Vancouver Island University Assessment and Exam Services was the first testing centre in Canada to be certified by the National College Testing Association (NCTA).

We subscribe to the Professional Standards and Guidelines for Post-Secondary Test Centres.