SKILLSMARKER is a required online assessment that measures two skills — Reading and Numeracy.

SKILLSMARKER assessments must be completed as part of the ACE Distance application process so we can determine if you’re ready to register — and likely to succeed in an ACE Distance course.

SKILLSMARKER assessments are scored on a 500-point scale called the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS) scale. Each ACE Distance course has a minimum required score you must achieve on the Reading and/or Numeracy assessments.

If you score at least 226 on the Reading component, you will be automatically registered in the required Learn to Learn orientation course. If you score between 226 and 249, you will be required to complete the Communications Support course to refresh your skills at the end of Learn to Learn.

If you’re planning to take a math or science course through ACE Distance, you may be required to complete the Numeracy Support course first, depending on your Numeracy score and the course(s) you wish to take.

Applicants who don’t qualify for these support courses are referred to one of our free partner programs for upgrading. After completing required upgrading at a partner program, and with approval from the partner program instructor, learners may be offered another attempt at completing the SKILLSMARKER assessments.