CPA examinations are written in exam centres throughout Western Canada and marked by CPA Canada national markers. CPA preparatory course results are typically released the third Monday after the exam date.
Please review the CPA Examination Regulations before the exam.
Exam Schedule
2017-2018 CPA preparatory courses exam schedule
Exam Locations
When registering for a CPA preparatory course, students select one of 29 exam locations within Western Canada to write the exam:
Primary exam locations (on-site IT support):
- BC: Abbotsford, Burnaby, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Prince George, Vancouver, Victoria
- Alberta: Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer
- Saskatchewan: Regina, Saskatoon
- Manitoba: Brandon, Winnipeg
Secondary examination locations (remote IT support):
- BC: Cranbrook, Fort St. John, Revelstoke
- Alberta: Fort McMurray, Hanna, Lloydminster, Peace River
- Nunavut: Iqaluit
- Saskatchewan: Swift Current
- Yukon: Whitehorse
- Northwest Territories: Yellowknife
Anyone living over 150 km away from one of the primary and secondary exam locations listed above can submit an Alternate Exam Location request through My CPA portal. Learn more about alternate exam locations here.
Requests to change exam locations must be made at least four weeks before the exam by emailing prepexams@cpawsb.ca. Changes are subject to availability.
Exam locations include convention centres, hotel conference centres, banquet halls, or post-secondary institutions. Specific details (address, start times, etc.) will be posted on D2L approximately two weeks before the exam. Exam locations and times may differ from day to day.
Exam Rules
CPA Canada has strict policies regarding acceptable items to bring into the exam center. Students are responsible for reviewing and following the CPA preparatory course examination regulations before each exam as it is updated regularly.
Each student will have access to power for laptops for the duration of the exam and will be provided with a USB key, exam booklet, and ear plugs. Students are required to bring their own Texas Instrument BA II Plus calculators to the exam and are encouraged to purchase one to use through the duration of the course to become familiar with the functions. CPAWSB does not provide calculators at the exam and no other models – including the Texas Instrument BA II Professional – are permitted. The Texas Instrument BA II Plus is available for purchase from online retailers and office supply stores.
Students with medical conditions who may need to bring in medical supplies/equipment can submit an exam accommodation request through My CPA portal. Read more about exam accommodations here.
Securexam
Securexam is the lockdown software used to secure student laptops for use in an exam setting. Each semester, students are granted access to Securexam and must download the software, complete the qualification exam, and download the exams. These Securexam activities are mandatory and must be completed by the deadlines. Failure to do so results in withdrawal from the CPA preparatory course.
All students are required to arrive at their exam centre with the latest version of Securexam already installed on a permitted variety of laptop computer. Students planning to write on an employer-provided laptop with restricted permissions must leave enough time to obtain assistance from the employer’s in-house IT support to install the software before the exam.
Please note: only PC laptops are permitted for exam use. Mac computers (even running Bootcamp) are not allowed. PC netbooks (that rely on an internet connection to function) and tablet-type units, including PC laptops with a screen that can detach from the keyboard, are not permitted.
Exam laptops must also meet specific requirements, listed here.
For an optimal exam-writing experience, please disable Windows updates and any installed antivirus application before attempting to write an exam.
For detailed installation and user instructions, please consult the Securexam guides and videos available in D2L.
Exam Deferral Policy
Students can request to defer CPA preparatory course exams only in extenuating circumstances (i.e. medical reason, death in the family). Deferrals must be requested within three business days after the scheduled exam date by emailing prepexams@cpawsb.ca with the reason and supporting documentation. In reviewing the request, CPAWSB may request additional information or documentation.
Should an exam deferral be granted, the exam must be written in the next semester; further deferrals are not permitted. Students who do not withdraw before the deferred exam date will be required to retake the entire course at a future offering. The missed exam will be counted as an attempt.