Institute of Skilled Trades (IST) Readiness Assessment
NSCC is working closely with industry to help more students successfully complete their skilled trades training and graduate ready to enter and stay in the workforce.
Focusing on student readiness is key to meeting these goals. This is why NSCC is introducing a new admission process for Institute of Skilled Trades (IST) programs.
IST applicants who meet, or are on track to meet, academic requirements are required to complete an online readiness assessment. The IST Readiness Assessment looks at their understanding of their chosen program and career, along with the foundational skills they need for program success, such as math and reasoning.
How to complete the assessment
Beginning in early December, if you meet or are on track to meet academic requirements, you will receive a link from NSCC Admissions to complete your mandatory online proctored assessment.
The assessment has multiple components, with 4 sections that applicants complete. They can be completed one at a time or all at once. The full assessment takes approximately 1 hour to complete. There is no minimum score.
To complete the assessment, you need:
- A computer with a webcam and microphone
- A reliable internet connection
- A physical calculator (computer-based calculators are not permitted)
- A pen and paper
- A quiet, private space without disruptions
What is an online proctored assessment?
Proctored means the assessment is supervised. The IST Readiness Assessment is completed online, so the “supervision” is done digitally with the use of a webcam and audio recording, which confirms that the assessment is being completed by only the applicant.
Testing support and accommodations
If you need support completing the assessment, contact to discuss options, including completing the assessment at an NSCC location.
Assessment components and scoring
The assessment has multiple components, with 4 sections competed in the online assessment. Diversity is one of the components with points awarded based on information provided in your application.
Applicants can receive up to 100 points based on their results:
| Assessment component | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Career alignment | Explore your understanding of trades work and career expectations. | 15 points |
| Sector-specific trades awareness | Explore your understanding of trades within your chosen skilled trades sector. | 15 points |
| Trades experience | Share your formal and informal trades experience. | 20 points |
| Foundational and behavioural skills | Demonstrate practical reasoning and problem solving. Explain how you work and your work preferences. | 45 (30 + 15) points |
| Diversity | Assigned to individuals who identify as a member of an equity-deserving community through their application. | 5 points |
Additional points for waitlisted applicants
Additional points will be added if you were on a waitlist as of September 17, 2026.
- Two years or more: 10 points
- One to two years: 5 points
- One year or less: 2 points
- Grade 12 students who applied in grade 11: 5 points
You will receive your assessment score with your admission decision, beginning late February. There is no minimum score.
How assessment scores are used
- Assessment scores will be used when a program offering has more qualified applicants than seats. We call these high-demand offerings.
- When this occurs, we will make offers starting with those with the highest scores until all seats are filled.
- Applicants must complete the readiness assessment prior to February 1 to be considered for high-demand program offerings.
Students enrolled in the Options and Opportunities (O2) program will continue to receive priority and be guaranteed a seat in one of their two program areas of choice, provided they meet all admission requirements, including completing the assessment.
We also continue to hold designated seats for applicants from equity-deserving communities and Women Unlimited.
Preparing for the assessment
It’s important you prepare for the assessment. To support your success, we've developed resources including sample questions, trades awareness videos and a demonstration of the online assessment tool.
We also encourage anyone interested in an IST program to attend an online information session to learn more and ask questions.
Find out how to prepare for the assessment
Important dates and deadlines
- November 2026:
Applications open for IST programs. - Beginning in early December 2026:
Applicants who meet, or are on track to meet, academic requirements receive invitations to complete the assessment. - February 1, 2027:
Deadline to complete the assessment to be considered in the initial round of offers and for program offerings where there are more qualified applicants than seats. - Beginning late February 2027:
Offers of admission begin. View how assessment scores are used
Applications for high-demand program offerings will close February 1. Program offerings with available seats will remain open. New applicants who meet admissions requirements will continue to be invited to complete the assessment as they apply and will be admitted until all program offerings are full.
Program readiness and support
- Accepted applicants who need to strengthen specific skills (for example, math) will be offered readiness supports before their program begins.
- An IST Career and College Prep Coordinator will work with accepted applicants to identify ways to build those skills.
- Applicants who do not receive a letter of offer will receive feedback on areas they can strengthen before completing the assessment again for a future academic year.
Frequently asked questions
Nova Scotia needs more skilled tradespeople. Meeting that need means helping more students successfully enter and complete their training and graduate ready for the workforce. Not all students who enter skilled trades programs complete them, and industry needs graduates who are prepared for the realities of the job. The new IST Readiness Assessment is intended to give both applicants and NSCC a better understanding of program and career awareness, foundational skills and overall readiness before they begin.
Academic requirements remain an important part of admission, but they do not provide a complete picture of program and career readiness. The IST Readiness Assessment looks at how well an applicant understands their program and career choice, what trades experience they already have and the foundational skills they need for program success, such as math and reasoning. For example, the assessment will help determine whether someone taking a construction program is aware that they’ll likely need to work outside.
Yes. All students, including O2 students, are required to complete the additional assessment. Qualified O2 students will continue to receive priority status and be accepted into one of their two programs of choice, as long as they apply by the O2 deadline of November 30 and complete the assessment by Feb. 1 at 11:59 pm. The assessment is still important because it helps identify areas where students may benefit from additional skill development or support leading up to or during their program.
We remain committed to increasing access to our programs for those from equity-deserving communities. The new assessment process supports this commitment by assigning 5% of the overall score to diversity. Each program section will also continue to have a designated seat for a Nova Scotia resident who identifies as Black/African Nova Scotian, Mi'kmaw/Indigenous or a person with a disability. We will also continue to offer designed seats for Women Unlimited graduates.
The Readiness Assessment can be completed once per academic year. If you are not accepted, you can keep your application open for the next intake without reapplying or paying another application fee. You will need to meet the admission requirements for that academic year and complete a new assessment. You will also receive feedback on areas you can strengthen before completing the assessment again. NSCC will provide resources and links to opportunities to improve your score in the future.
Contact NSCC Admissions at if you need support completing the assessment. Computers are available at NSCC campuses for applicants who need them. An appointment may be required, so applicants should contact Admissions well before the February 1 deadline.
Yes. All IST applicants are required to complete the additional assessment. To recognize your commitment, waitlisted applicants will receive up to 10 additional points, which will be added to your assessment score. The number of points you receive will depend on how long you have been waitlisted as of September 17, 2026:
- Two years or more: 10 points
- One to two years: 5 points
- One year or less: 2 points
Preparation resources and information sessions are available at nscc.ca/ISTassessment
Admissions will no longer be determined by your position on the waitlist. Instead, applicants who meet the academic requirements will complete the Readiness Assessment, and assessment scores will be used in the admission process. As a transition measure, the time you have already spent on the waitlist will be recognized through up to 10 additional points.
You will receive your IST Readiness Assessment score with your admission decision, beginning in late February.