Preparing for the IST Readiness Assessment
< IST Readiness Assessment main page
Beginning in early December, if you meet or are on track to meet academic requirements, you'll receive a link to complete your online proctored IST Readiness Assessment from NSCC Admissions.
- The assessment has five components, with four sections that applicants complete.
- They can be completed one at a time or all at once.
- Applicants have the opportunity to practise each section. Practice is not scored and can be repeated before starting your real assessment.
- The full assessment takes approximately one hour to complete.
Start preparing. Learn about each section and explore sample questions for an idea of what to expect.
Section 1: Career alignment
Points assigned: 15
In section 1, you explore your understanding of trades work and career expectations. Sample questions:
- Skilled trades workers often work independently and with others to complete projects and meet shared goals.
- I'm comfortable working both independently or as part of a team.
- I prefer work that requires less collaboration with others.
- Depending on the occupation, trades work may occur in shops, kitchens, garages, construction sites, plants or other active work environments.
- I'm interested in exploring careers that may involve a variety of work environments.
- I prefer a more traditional office-based work environment.
Section 2: Sector-specific trades awareness
Points assigned: 15
In section 2, you grow your understanding of trades work within your chosen sector(s). Find your IST program of interest below to get started.
A
Auto Body and Collision Repair
Automotive Service and Repair
B
Baking and Pastry Arts
Brick and Stone Masonry
Building Systems Technician (HVAC&R)
C
Cabinetmaking and Woodworking Techniques
Carpentry Certificate
Carpentry Diploma
CNC Machining
Culinary Management
Culinary Skills
D
Diesel Repair - Industrial and Marine
E
Electrical – Industrial Maintenance and Controls
Electrical Construction and Industrial
Electrical Technician
Electro Mechanical Technician
G
Gas Technician
H
Heavy Duty Equipment / Truck and Transport Repair
Heavy Duty Equipment Repair
Heavy Equipment Operator
I
Industrial Mechanical
Instrumentation Technician
L
Landscape Technician
M
Metal Fabrication
Motorcycle and Power Products Repair
O
Oil Heat Systems Technician
P
Pipe Trades
Plumbing
Power and Utility Line Work
Power Engineering Technology
Precision Machining
R
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - Geothermal
S
Sheet Metal Systems
T
Truck and Transport Repair
W
Welding
Section 3: Trades experience
Points assigned: 20
In section 3, you can share trades experience you already have. Experience may be formal (e.g., Building Futures for Youth (BFY) program, Options and Opportunities (O2) program, skilled trades courses completed in high school) or informal (e.g., assisted with home renovation projects or maintenance). For example, you may wish to share whether:
- You’re currently employed in a trade
- You’ve been employed in a trade in the past
- You’ve started an apprenticeship
- You have trades experience through volunteer work or personal projects
Section 4: Foundational and behavioural skills
Points assigned: 45 (30 + 15)
In section 4, you explore and demonstrate practical reasoning and problem solving, along with your usual ways of working and work preferences. Here are some sample questions you may find in section 4.
You are leading a team that has just delivered a project on time, but post-delivery feedback reveals several recurring quality issues that were not flagged during the process. What is the best first step?
- Map the delivery process end-to-end to identify at which stages the quality issues originated and why they were not surfaced earlier.
- Speak with the team members involved to understand what they observed during delivery.
- Review the feedback in detail and compile a list of the issues raised before taking any action.
- Implement additional quality checks at the final stage to prevent similar feedback in future.
You've set aside the morning to write a report due at 3 pm, but by 10 am colleagues have interrupted you five times with quick questions. What is the best way to handle this?
- Block out focused time, tell colleagues when you'll be free and save their questions for then.
- Keep answering questions as they come in, and work late if the report runs over.
- Ask your manager to push back the report deadline.
- Move to a quieter space for the rest of the morning without telling anyone.
How much do you agree with this statement? "I set up a clear structure for my work before I start a new task."
- Strongly disagree
- Disagree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Agree
- Strongly agree
Some members of Group A are members of Group B. No members of Group B are members of Group C. Given only the above, which of the following must be true?
- Some members of Group A are not members of Group C.
- No members of Group A are members of Group C.
- Some members of Group C are not members of Group A.
- Cannot be determined.
Watch a demo video of the assessment tool
Learn how to use the online assessment tool.
Prepare your technology and environment
The IST Readiness Assessment is completed online with supervision. This is done digitally with the use of a webcam and audio recording, which confirms that the assessment is being completed by only the applicant.
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
Testing support and accommodations
- If you need an accommodation, contact Accessibility Services at
- Accessibility Services will review your request and contact you to discuss available supports before your assessment is scheduled.
Attend an online info session
Join a virtual info session to ask questions and learn more about the IST admission process and Readiness Assessment. Choose a date and time and register to attend:
- November:
- December:
- January:
Can’t make it? Check back soon for a recording.