PagineNorthwest Territories Curriculum Guide & Practice Tests (K–12)
The Northwest Territories is moving from Alberta’s curriculum to an adapted British Columbia curriculum, by grade groupings, with the transition to be completed by 2027–28. Alberta diploma exams were to end for NWT students after 2025–26, replaced by B.C. graduation assessments. NWT recognizes 11 official languages, and Dene Kede and Inuuqatigiit curricula guide Indigenous education.
- 13 grades
- 305 practice tests
- 5 provincial assessments
Choose a grade
Provincial assessments
| Assessment | Grades | Subjects | When | Counts? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) — Grade 4 | Grade 4 | Literacy and numeracy | Fall (October–November) | Does not count toward marks. |
| Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) — Grade 7 | Grade 7 | Literacy and numeracy | Fall (October–November) | Does not count toward marks. |
| Graduation Numeracy Assessment (Numeracy 10) | Grade 10 | Numeracy across subjects | November, January, April and June sessions | A graduation requirement; the proficiency score appears on the transcript. |
| Graduation Literacy Assessment (Literacy 10) | Grade 10 | Reading, analysis and communication | November, January, April and June sessions | A graduation requirement. |
| Graduation Literacy Assessment (Literacy 12) | Grade 12 | Critical reading and written communication | November, January, April and June sessions | A graduation requirement. |
Nationally, a sample of Grade 8 students also writes the Pan-Canadian Assessment Program (PCAP).
How school is organized
Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten, Grades 1–12. Course names are changing from Alberta to B.C. names during the transition.
Graduation: Graduation requirements are being updated to align with B.C., including B.C. graduation assessments.
Curriculum strands we practise
🔢 Mathematics: Number · Patterns & Relations · Spatial Relationships · Statistics & Probability · Financial Literacy
📖 English Language Arts: Comprehend and connect (reading, listening, viewing) · Create and communicate (writing, speaking, representing)
🔬 Science: Biology · Chemistry · Physics · Earth and Space Science · Questioning, planning, processing and communicating
🌎 Social Studies: Big ideas in history, geography, government and economics · Indigenous perspectives across all grades · Historical and geographic thinking
Official curriculum: NWT curriculum (moving from Alberta to B.C.). Pagine describes the curriculum in its own words; official documents are provincial copyright.
Other provinces and territories
Frequently asked questions
What curriculum does Northwest Territories use?
The Northwest Territories is moving from Alberta’s curriculum to an adapted British Columbia curriculum, by grade groupings, with the transition to be completed by 2027–28. Alberta diploma exams were to end for NWT students after 2025–26, replaced by B.C. graduation assessments. NWT recognizes 11 official languages, and Dene Kede and Inuuqatigiit curricula guide Indigenous education.
How are grades organized in Northwest Territories?
Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten, Grades 1–12. Course names are changing from Alberta to B.C. names during the transition.
What are the graduation requirements?
Graduation requirements are being updated to align with B.C., including B.C. graduation assessments.
Which provincial tests do students write in Northwest Territories?
Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) — Grade 4 (Grade 4); Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) — Grade 7 (Grade 7); Graduation Numeracy Assessment (Numeracy 10) (Grade 10); Graduation Literacy Assessment (Literacy 10) (Grade 10); Graduation Literacy Assessment (Literacy 12) (Grade 12).