Hi everyone. Can someone share the test structure in Calgary? Where is it typically held? What time of day is it usually? How long is the full process (i.e. test, interview etc.)? What if the test date provided is inconvenient, can it be changed?
Hey Islandgirl
My Wife and I did the test in Calgary last month so I will share how it went for us.
Our test date was Jan 23 at 8:16 (yes that is the time stated on the letter) The test is conducted in the immigration dept on the second floor of the Harry Hays building downtown. They dont let people into the room till around 8 so there is a line up from about 7:30. Dont be late they will not let you in after a certain point (probably after the tests are handed out). Once they open the doors you go down the corridor to a reception desk where the staff confirm your invite letter and check your passport and ID, they will then give you an answer sheet for the test, you are directed to the room where an usher guides you to a seat based on whether you are alone or with family members ( you have to sit seperately if your with family) The room has a series of lecture theatre type seats with one in every three having a fold up desk section. After every one is seated they go through the rules no cheating, thirty minutes etc. tell you how to fill in the top section of the form and then they hand out the test sheets.
You complete your test and when you're done stand up and hand in your answer sheet to the staff at the front and leave the room you then join a line up back at the reception desks where you started and you will be called forward to an immigration officer for what is called the interview. I had a vision of a sit down in a room one on one while they grilled me but in reality it was just a reception desk where they told us our test result and asked to see our original docs, passports, driving licence and PR card. I had to sign a couple of sheets while she flipped through our ID and passports, The agent asked my wife a question about her work which i think was an english test rather than genuine interest. Then she said you will hear from us soon and likely it will be an oath invite, have a good day and we were out.
As to your questions I dont know if there is more than one test per day its the same room they use for oath ceremonies and there are often 2 or 3 of those per day so i dont think there are tests as often as that. Everyone I have spoken to from Calgary was scheduled at 8:16. I believe you can reschedule but I dont think you get a choice, I believe if you reject the date they just send you another.
Your time in the building will depend on how long you take on the test. My wife and I were in the building less than an hour, the test took me 2 mins and my wife 3 we both got 20/20 and the interview was maybe 5 mins. We were out first so we were first in line for interview if you take longer you would then have to line up for the interview, by the time we were done the interview there were 6-8 people in line there were maybe 50-60 people testing that day so obviously if you take the whole 30 mins on the test you will likely have to wait a while for the interview.
The time on the interview will depend on your application complexity and your history. We have been in Canada 12 years and only left twice in our qualifying time and both to the US for vacations. We are native English speakers so dont have to deal with IELTS scores or anything. I dont know your situation but I consider our experience to be the easiest it could possibly be. I am sure there are other people who have gone through it with different circumstances and experiences.
If I missed anything let me know and I will add what I can.
Tom
