A- Confirmatory examinations and qualifying examinations
What is the difference between confirmatory examinations and qualifying examinations?
Confirmatory examinations are assigned to holders of an undergraduate engineering diploma whose level and content are recognized as comparable to those of a Québec bachelor’s degree. These examinations aim to assess the candidate’s general knowledge.
Qualifying examinations are assigned to candidates whose engineering program has been identified as having training gaps and to candidates whose undergraduate diploma is not in engineering, but in a pure or applied science or technology. These examinations aim to supplement the candidate’s training.
B- Frequency of examinations
When are admission examinations held?
The examinations are held twice each year, during the first two weeks of May and November.
C- Examination registration form
How do I obtain an examination registration form?
The form will be mailed to you automatically, in early February for the May session, or in early August for the November session.
D- Examination registration deadline
When do I need to register for the examinations?
We must receive your registration form and payment no later than March 15 for the May session and September 15 for the November session.
Do you accept the postmark date as the date of submission? For example, can I mail my registration for the May session on March 15?
No. The Secretariat of the OIQ must receive your registration and payment no later than the deadline.
E- Maximum number of examinations per session
How many examinations may I write during a given session?
You may register for a maximum of three examinations per session.
G- Preparing for examinations
How do I prepare for my examinations?
Candidates must prepare for examinations on their own. The OIQ does not provide any preparation assistance.
H- Length of exminations
How long are the examinations?
Each OIQ admission examination lasts three (3) hours.
I- Textbooks
Where can I obtain the textbooks recommended for examination preparation?
May I bring my textbooks to the examination?
Yes. You are allowed to bring your textbooks and personal notes for consultation during examinations.
J- Calculators
May I use any kind of calculator during the examinations?
K- Other electronic devices
May I use a computer during the examinations?
No. You are not permitted to use a computer or any other electronic device during the examinations, with or without earphones.
L- Prior-year examinations
Can I obtain copies of past examinations and their answer keys?
You can obtain past papers of a particular examination for up to four examination sessions, if available. However, answer keys are not provided.
M- Examination Schedule
How do I obtain the examination schedule?
The examination schedule is set after registration is complete. Once we have determined which exams are requested for a given session, we prepare a schedule with a view to avoiding conflicts. For example, if a candidate is registered for more than one examination, we need to ensure that these examinations are not held at the same time. For this reason, the schedule is only sent out in late March for the May session and in late September for the November session. We make every effort to schedule examinations outside of normal work hours, that is, on Saturdays and Sundays and weekday evenings.
N- Location of examinations
Where are admission examinations held?
The examinations are given in Montréal. You will be sent the exact location along with the schedule.
O- Cancellation of examination
If I withdraw from an examination or do not show up, is this counted as a fail?
No, this is not counted as a fail.
Q- Examination results
When will I receive my examination results?
You should receive your results in late June for the May session and in late December for the November session.
R- Re-evaluation of examination
If I fail an examination, may I request that the examination be re-evaluated?
Yes. You must submit your request for re-evaluation in writing no later than one month after the date the results are sent out by the Secretariat, along with payment of the re-evaluation of an admission examination fee. To consult the
Fee Schedule,
click here.
Please note that the re-evaluation of an admission examination fee represents the fee to reread one exam. If you wish to have more than one exam reread, you must pay the additional fees required.
We also suggest that you write an explanatory letter to the examiner (for example, indicate which questions you believe should have received a higher mark and the reasons why).
What can I do if I want to review a failed admissions examination?
Within 30 days of receiving notice of a failed examination, you may send a
Request Form for Application Review to the Secretary of the Examiners Committee to review the examination’s marking. However, you must also include payment of the appropriate fee with your request (
see the Fee Schedule). In addition, you may request a copy of your exam booklet and submit your comments and arguments to the marker.
S- Failures and rewrites
If I fail an examination, can I replace it with a different examination in the following session?
No. If you fail an examination, you must rewrite the same one.
If I fail an examination, can I register to write the same examination and another in the following session?
Yes. When you fail an examination, you must register to rewrite it. If you wish, you may also register for up to two additional examinations in the same session (the maximum number of examinations per session is three).
T- Maximum number of rewrites per examination
How many times can I rewrite the same examination?
You are permitted to write a single examination three times, unless otherwise specified.
What happens if I fail an exam on my third attempt?
Your file is automatically closed.
My file was closed because I failed the same examination three times. How can I have my file reopened?
To request that your file be reopened, you must provide evidence that you have upgraded your engineering training in the field of the examination you failed. We recommend, for example, that you complete a university course deemed equivalent to the failed examination. For a list of courses recognized as equivalent, please email us at:
examens_admission@oiq.qc.ca. For additional information on reopening your file, see the
request form for Reopening your file.
U- Time limit
Can I obtain an extension if I unable to write all my examinations within the assigned time period?
Yes. You can submit a written
request for an extension to the Committee of Examiners, along with the review of application fee (to consult the
Fee Schedule,
click here). This request must outline the reasons why you were unable to complete your examinations in the time allowed and indicate how much time you need. You must also submit supporting documents to help the Committee assess the validity of the reasons given.
Please note that if you write an examination during the last session of your assigned time period but have not yet completed all your required examinations, you will automatically be granted a six-month extension. If you write at least one examination during each subsequent session, you will continue to receive this automatic extension.
Y- File review
May I request a review of my file upon completion of graduate studies in engineering?
Yes. (Please note, however, that such a review may not change any of your examination requirements.)
How do I request a review of my file after graduate studies in engineering?
Your file will be reviewed by the Committee of Examiners once we have received:
- your written request along with payment of the review of application fee. To see the Fee Schedule, click here;
- an official transcript and a document attesting to successful completion of the diploma sent directly from the university.
You must therefore ask the university to send an official transcript and a document attesting to successful completion of the diploma directly to the OIQ.
What do I do to request a file review after acquiring work experience?
You must submit, by mail:
- your request;
- a current résumé;
- original copies of your new detailed letters of reference (see sample);
- payment of the review of application fee (to see the Fee Schedule, click here.)
ZZ- Reopening your file
Reopening after expiration of time limit for examinations or withdrawal of application
You must submit a
request form - reopening an application and provide any new documents if required by the Secretariat. You must also pay the application for permit fee listed in the
Fee Schedule,
click here. For more information, please contact the Permits and Admissions Department at 514 845-6141, extension 3165, 3233 or 3110.
Reopening after failing the same exam three times
If your file was closed because you failed the same examination three times, you must first demonstrate that you have expanded your knowledge in the engineering field in question. You could, for example, pass one or more courses in the subject recognized as equivalent by the Order. (For a list of equivalent courses, you can contact the Order at:
examens_admission@oiq.qc.ca.)
You must submit a
request form for reopening your file, ask the university where you took the equivalent course or courses to send the Order an official transcript, if applicable, and provide any new documents required by the Secretariat. You must also pay the application for permit fee listed in the
Fee Schedule,
click here. For more information, please contact the Permits and Admissions Department at 514 845-6141, extension 3165, 3233 or 3110.
Once my file has been closed, how can I have it reopened?
When a candidate requests that a file be reopened, the Order is no longer bound by the regulations, standards, guidelines and fees in effect before the file was closed. Therefore, the Order will apply the regulations, standards, guidelines and fees in effect when the request to reopen the file is made.