Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

If a course covers material you already know, you can apply for a PLAR and request an assessment. This is called “challenging” a course.

You might need to write an exam, put together a portfolio, attend an interview, and/or complete an assignment. The assessment type is determined on a course-by-course basis by the academic area.

With the exception of general education electives, which are transcribed with a CR indicating credit, PLARs appear on your transcript in the same format as if you had taken the class. If a course normally results in a letter grade, your PLAR will appear on your transcript as a letter grade. If a course is normally graded as a pass/fail, it will appear on your transcript as a P or an F.

Candidates for PLAR:

• Must be at least 19 years old or have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent.
• Must be an Algonquin College student with a student number.
• Must not have failed the course they are challenging within the last 12 months.
• Must not have been unsuccessful with a PLAR challenge for the course they are challenging within the last 12 months.
• Must be approved by the academic area as eligible to challenge a course (see “How do I apply for PLAR?”).

To apply for a PLAR, follow the steps below:

Research

• Review the course outline for the course(s) you are interested in challenging through PLAR.
• If available, check out the PLAR Student Resource Guide for this course to get a sense of what the assessment will look like.
• Complete a Self-Assessment Form for each course. Carefully consider how your knowledge and skills match up to the Course Learning Requirements (CLRs) found on the course outline.

Application

• If you feel comfortable with the CLRs of a course, apply online for PLAR, and attach your Self-Assessment Form(s). You will need to complete a separate application for each course.
• Await confirmation from the academic area that you are eligible for PLAR. This will come via email.
• Once your eligibility is determined, contact your Program Coordinator to withdraw from the course if you are currently registered.
• Pay your PLAR fee ($90.70 or $113.61, plus an additional testing fee, depending on assessment type) in person at the Registrar’s Office, over the phone, or online.

Assessment

• Work on your portfolio or assignment, or schedule an exam.
• Submit your assessment for grading, no later than 3 months after receiving your PLAR assessment guidelines/instructions. This will need to be in an electronic format to plar@algonquincollege.com. If you are submitting for a military PLAR please email Lee Johnston at johnstl3@algonquincollege.com.

Achievement

• Within ten business days, receive the results of your assessment via email, and if successful, obtain college credit.