TRU Entry Assessments
Depending upon the program that a student is interested in applying to at Thompson Rivers University (TRU), there may be one or two entry assessment tests required: the typing test and the ACCUPLACER.
The Typing test is required for TRU's Medical Laboratory Assistant program, the Administrative Assistant certificate program and the Executive Assistant diploma program.
The programs listed below require a TRU Assessment Test known as the ACCUPLACER. Within the ACCUPLACER, there are five computer-based tests, but not all tests are required for each program. The five tests are reading comprehension, sentence structure, WritePlacer Plus, arithmetic and elementary algebra. All tests are untimed except for WritePlacer Plus that has a one hour time limit. Basic calculators are permitted for all program testing except for ABE/University Preparation.
The programs requiring the ACCUPLACER are outlined below, followed by a description of the program and a list of the ACCUPLACER tests to take.
ABE/University Preparation
The University Preparation Department offers adult learners the opportunity to complete prerequisites for admission into a diverse range of career, vocational and academic programs or to complete several ABE diplomas including the B.C. Adult Graduation Diploma (the equivalent to high school completion). Courses in English, math, general science, biology, physics, chemistry, computing and social science are designed for adult learners and delivered in small, student-centred classes through teaching methods that accommodate students' life experience and different learning styles.
Homepage: University Preparation
Tests to take:
- ABE Full - Reading Comprehension, Sentence Skills, Arithmetic & WritePlacer Plus (and possibly Elementary Algebra)
- ABE English - Reading Comprehension, Sentence Skills & WritePlacer Plus
- ABE Math - Arithmetic (and possibly Elementary Algebra)
Aboriginal Health Career Program
The Aboriginal Health Career Program is a three-semester (eleven-month) program, offered to students interested in a health-related career. The curriculum gives students the prerequisites to enter many health-related programs, and there is flexibility in how students proceed through the program. Students graduate with an Aboriginal Health Career Program Certificate with credit in at least two 100 level academic university courses.
Homepage: Aboriginal Health Career Program
Tests to take:
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Skills
- WritePlacer Plus
- Arithmetic
- Elementary Algebra
Applied Business Technology
The Administrative Assistant Certificate is an eight-month, office administration program designed to prepare students for employment in a wide range of positions in business. The Executive Assistant Diploma prepares students to serve in more senior positions as office managers and assistants to senior managers in both industry and government. After completing the Administrative Assistant Certificate in Year 1, students take additional courses in management, business communications, and economics in Year 2.
Homepage: Administrative Assistant Certificate
Tests to take:
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Skills
Automotive Service Technician
This course is intended to prepare people for employment as apprentices in the Automotive Mechanic Repair trade. Employment is normally indoors and may be anywhere from a small repair shop or service station doing general mechanical repairs to the complex service department of a large automotive dealership.
Homepage: Trades & Technology: Automotive
Tests to take:
- Reading Comprehension
- Arithmetic
- Elementary Algebra
Business Diploma in Management
The Diploma in Management is designed to give career-oriented education and training in business management. It provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to obtain employment in existing organizations or to initiate their own small business ventures. Those who complete the first year will, upon application, receive the Certificate in Management. Others will continue their studies and enter the Bachelor of Business degree here at TRU after completing the diploma.
Homepage: Diploma in Management
Tests to take:
- Arithmetic
- Elementary Algebra
Carpentry/ Residential Construction
Students in this program don't just learn about building houses. They're responsible for actually building one, from foundation through the finishing touches, as the lead program in the annual TRU/Canadian Home Builders Training House project.
Homepage: Residental Construction
Tests to take:
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Skills
- Arithmetic
- Elementary Algebra
Commercial Transport
A Commercial Transport Vehicle Mechanic/Technician adjusts, repairs and/or replaces worn and damaged mechanical, hydraulic and electrical parts on trucks, truck tractors, trailers, school buses, city transit buses and highway coaches. The mechanic must have the ability to diagnose electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic troubles and make repairs according to the manufacturers' specifications. The work involves the ability to determine the cause of failed components, disassembling and reassembling parts such as engines, transmissions, cooling systems, fuel and exhaust systems, clutches, differentials and suspensions by using the necessary hand and power tools and specialized equipment.
Homepage: Commercial Transport Program
Tests to take:
- Reading Comprehension
- Arithmetic
- Elementary Algebra
Culinary Arts
The complete program is 13 months long and is designed to cover all the sections of a professional kitchen from the preparation of hors d'oeuvres to the creation of exquisite desserts. The student will be trained in large quantity cooking in our college restaurant, as well as international quality food preparation in our highly popular dining room.
Homepage: Culinary Arts
Tests to take:
- Reading Comprehension
- Arithmetic
Electricians are skilled in installing, maintaining, troubleshooting and repairing: electrical distribution systems, lighting, fire alarms, motor control components, motors, generators, programmable logic controllers (PLC's), distributed control systems, DC and AC power systems, and DC and AC speed drives. These skills are used in the industrial, commercial and residential environments. The journeyperson electrician works in a challenging and rewarding trade where technology is constantly changing and competition is high.
Homepage: Electrical Apprenticeship Training
Tests to take:
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Skills
- Arithmetic
- Elementary Algebra
Electronics (AMET/TNET)
Electronics diploma students complete Core Electronics in the first year (certificate available on completion) then move into their desired specialty in the second year of studies. Core Electronics is internationally articulated allowing transfers between TRU and other participating provincial, national, or international Electronics programs .
Homepage: Electronics (AMET/TNET)
Tests to take:
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Skills
- Arithmetic
- Elementary Algebra
Health Care Assistant
The HCA program teaches students the skills you need to help older adults in Residential Care Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities and in clients' private homes. During the HCA program, students learn to provide hands-on care to older adults using a person centred approach and to practice ethically in a responsible and accountable manner using caring and respectful communication skills.
Homepage: Health Care Assistant
Tests to take:
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Skills
- Writeplacer Plus
Heavy Duty /Commercial Transport Mechanics
Training covers inspection, repair and maintenance on live equipment such as trucks, bulldozers, loaders, shovels, and earth movers of both the wheeled and tracked variety.
Homepage: Heavy Duty Mechanics
Tests to take:
- Reading Comprehension
- Arithmetic
- Elementary Algebra
Industrial Electrician/Industrial Instrumentation Mechanic
The 29 week industrial electrical/instrumentation mechanic program will prepare students entering the industrial workplace in either electrical and/or instrumentation fields. Industrial electricians inspect, install, and service electrical equipment such as motors, generators, pumps, lighting systems, communication systems and associated control systems. Industrial Instrument Mechanics install and maintains process monitoring and control instruments required for the automation of industrial processes.
Homepage: Industrial Electrician/Industrial Instrumentation Mechanic
Tests to take:
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Skills
- Arithmetic
- Elementary Algebra
Joinery
This 6-month program is an introduction to the joinery trade. Theory and practice is offered to allow students to build numerous projects including solid wood furniture, cabinets, kitchen cabinets, jigs and fixtures, etc.
Homepage: Trades and Technology - Joinery Tests to take:
- Reading Comprehension
- Arithmetic
- Elementary Algebra
Partsperson and Warehousing
This course covers all the aspects necessary for the student to function in a warehouse or parts department situation. Topics included are: shipping and receiving, identification of parts, engine, power train, chassis and support systems - fittings and fasteners, tools, catalogue types and application conversions, communication with customers, safety and warehousing, inventory control, business machine operation, basic computer operation, computer inventory control, sales and merchandising.
Homepage: Trades and Technology - Partsperson
Tests to take:
- Reading Comprehension
- Arithmetic
Piping
This 6 month course is an introduction to the trade of plumbing. Students gain familiarity with the hand and power tools used in the field. Hands-on use of the tools and piping materials like copper, cast iron, black iron, and plastics comprise about 50% of the course. Fixture installation is part of this as well. The other half of the course consists of pre-practical training, as well as safety, trade math, and science. The students will be actively involved in the plumbing of a house in the community, working with other trade entry students from carpentry and the electrical departments.
Homepage: Trades and Technology - Piping
Tests to take:
- Reading Comprehension
- Arithmetic
- Elementary Algebra
Power Engineering (4th Class)
This course covers the basic principles of mathematics, mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity, boiler construction, combustion, controls, instrumentation, boiler and auxiliaries, and prime movers. Exam fees (both SAIT and Provincial) are extra and payable by the student.
Homepage: Power Engineering (4th Class) Brochure
Tests to take:
- Reading Comprehension
- Arithmetic
- Elementary Algebra
Tests to take:
- Reading Comprehension
- Arithmetic
- Elementary Algebra
The program is nine months of full-time training. Its main goal is to provide the knowledge and skills students require to enter employment as meat cutters in custom cutting, sausage and curing operations, and in supermarkets and megamarkets with their own manufacturing facilities. To achieve this goal of employability, the program places special importance on productivity training and on the business factors of the meat cutting industry. As part of the students' preparation for the industry, the program also consists of specialized training in the accuracy of cutting, knife handling, portion control, merchandising and the utilization of all products. Safety, sanitation, punctuality and personal appearance are stressed throughout the program.
Homepage: Retail Meat Processing Homepage
Tests to take:
- Reading Comprehension
- Arithmetic
Welding
Welding is an industrial art in a highly competitive field. It requires constant physical coordination of arms, hands and eyes, and the student develops manipulative skills through manual training. Related gas welding and arc welding theory, basic metallurgy, basic blue print reading, applied mathematics and principles of safety are some of the technical subjects covered. On completion of the course a student will have gained sufficient practical experience and related theory to take a variety of job tests.
Homepage: Trades and Technology - Welding
Tests to take:
- Reading Comprehension
- Arithmetic
- Elementary Algebra