English Language Arts 30-1 and 30-2
exemption
Dear Parent,
You are receiving this because your child wrote Part A of the English Language
Arts 30 diploma exam on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015. During the writing of this
exam, the province’s Quest A+ online diploma exam system was temporarily
unable to accommodate the volume of students writing the exam, which may
have adversely affected a number of students.
We have been advised by Alberta Education that all students who were
impacted by this event are able to apply for an exemption of Part A of this exam.
The partial exemption will calculate their final course mark based on their school
awarded mark and the Part B, or reading, part of the diploma exam. If your
student would like to rewrite the exam in April or June, all fees will also be
waived. Below please find “Frequently Asked Questions” to help you and your
child in making your decision.
If your child would like to be exempt from Part A of the exam, they need to sign
a form in the Main Office by Thursday January 22 at noon.
Students may want to do one or all of the following:
a. Contact their ELA teacher/counsellor to discuss their choice.
b. Write their Part B before deciding; Part B is on Tuesday January 20,
2015. ELA teachers will be in the Cafeteria after the exam to consult
and compile a list of students.
Thank you,
Greg Weir
Principal
If I choose to accept a partial exemption, what will this mean for my final mark?

When a student is exempted from Part A of a Language Arts diploma examination, a different method is
used to replace the missing mark. The partial exemption will make a calculation of the student’s final
course mark based on his or her school awarded mark and the mark on Part B: Reading of the diploma
exam, to be written on Tuesday, January 20.
Can I wait until I see my mark and then decide whether to apply for a partial exemption?

No.
If I choose to accept a partial exemption now, can I choose to rewrite the exam later?

Yes.



ELA 30-1 will next be offered in April 2015
ELA 30-2 will next be offered in June 2015
The student will need to rewrite both Part A: Written Response and Part B: Reading of the ELA diploma
exam
When is the deadline to register to rewrite?

To rewrite ELA 30-1 on April 13 (Part A) and April 14 (Part B): Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015

To rewrite ELA 30-1 or 30-2 on June 12 (Part A) and June 17 (Part B): Thursday, Apr. 16, 2015
What if I choose to take a partial exemption and am not satisfied with my overall diploma
examination mark and wish to improve it?

The student can choose to rewrite following a partial exemption, but will need to rewrite the entire
diploma examination, both Parts A and B.
What if I choose not to take the partial exemption and am not satisfied with my overall diploma
examination mark and wish to improve it?

The student has the option to rewrite the entire examination.
 Alberta Education operates a highest mark forward policy: when a student retakes a course
and/or rewrites a diploma examination, Alberta Education blends the highest mark in each case:
for example, if a student retakes an examination and gets a lower mark the second time, then
the previous, higher mark still stands.
What if I decide to retake the course?

Exemptions and partial exemptions from diploma examinations are session-specific and cannot be
carried forward to a future examination session.

If a student who has received an exemption or partial exemption from a diploma examination re-takes
instruction in the same course and has a new school-awarded mark, the student must write the diploma
examination.
What if I was rewriting the exam but not currently enrolled in the course?

A student rewriting the examination but not retaking course does not have the basis to apply for an
exemption.
What if I am a mature student challenging the diploma examination?

Mature students challenging the diploma examination do not have the basis to apply for an exemption.
Can I still get into university or post-secondary programs if I choose to accept a partial
exemption?

The student will still have a final mark for ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2.
Additional Questions? Please contact:

Manmeet Bhullar, MLA
Phone (403) 248-4487
calgarygreenway@assembly.ab.ca

Yvonne Fritz, MLA
Phone (403) 280-4022
calgary.cross@assembly.ab.ca
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