Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs)

Provincial Achievement Test (PATs) are administered annually to all Alberta students in grades 6 and 9. These tests are written in all four core subjects: Math, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies.

Why are PATs important?

Assessing student progress is an important part of learning and instruction. PATs measure knowledge and skills in language arts, mathematics, science and social studies and show a common provincial achievement standard for students in a grade. They are based on what students are expected to know and be able to do according to the Programs of Study. Knowledge about our students’ current level of achievement is essential for planning learning activities to meet the student’s learning needs.

The number of students who achieve the acceptable standard and the standard of excellence are reported to help understand local school results and to enable comparisons of these results to provincial and local school division targets. These are important for school and school division improvement.

For more information on PATs, visit the Alberta Government Provincial Achievement Tests webpage.

NEW! Registration is required for PATs

Students will receive an email with specific information to register, and locations. Updates regarding writing locations will also be provided on the PATs page of our website.

Important Change: PATs are Now Online

All PATs will be written online this year. 

As a result, registration is required for students who plan to attend a Vista Virtual school writing session. Registration allows us to make sure that a sufficient number of Chromebooks are available at each location:

  • Students may bring their own device (laptop or Chromebook, no iPads or phones) if they prefer not to use a VVS Chromebook. If you are bringing your own device, please indicate so on the registration form.
  • Any personal device must be fully prepared in advance with the required software and settings
  • No technical support will be available on site during the exams.
  • Set Up Instructions for Your Personal Device

2025-2026 PAT Writing Session Information:

May 2026

  • Thursday, May 21 | 9:00–11:00 – Grade 9 English Language Arts Part A
  • Friday, May 22 | 9:00–11:00 – Grade 6 English Language Arts and Literature Part A

June 2026

  • Thursday, June 4 | 9:00–10:00 – Grade 6 English Language Arts and Literature Part B
  • Tuesday, June 9 | 9:00–10:15 – Grade 9 English Language Arts Part B
  • Thursday, June 11 | 9:00–10:00 – Grade 6 Social Studies
  • Friday, June 12 | 9:00–10:00 – Grade 6 Science
  • Monday, June 15 | 9:00–9:30 – Grade 6 Mathematics Part A
  • Tuesday, June 16 | 9:00–9:30 – Grade 9 Mathematics Part A
  • Thursday, June 18 | 9:00–10:15 – Grade 6 Mathematics Part B
  • Friday, June 19 | 9:00–10:20 – Grade 9 Mathematics Part B
  • Monday, June 22 | 9:00–10:20 – Grade 9 Social Studies
  • Tuesday, June 23 | 9:00–10:15 – Grade 9 Science

Writing Locations

We offer two writing locations for PATs, one in Southern Alberta and one in Northern Alberta:

  • The Southern Alberta location is in Calgary. Details coming soon!
  • The Northern Alberta location is in Edmonton/Sherwood Park. Details coming soon!

We do not expect students to travel hundreds of kilometers to write their PATs. If there is an extensive distance between your home and the writing location, you can ask a local school to supervise your PATs, but they are not required to do so.

*Please note that we do not offer isolation for writing PATs or diploma exams.

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