Exam Preparation
Why Write the exam?
By earning your Ec.D. Designation, you’re expanding knowledge and demonstrating your commitment to professional growth. With the Ec.D., you are staying ahead of the curve. This designation and certification documents your professional achievement, leverages your knowledge for exercising new career opportunities, and you become part of the network of leaders in the economic development field.
Steps to obtain your Certified Economic Developer (Ec.D.) Designation
- Must be an EDAC Member (in good standing)
- Minimum of 3+ Years of economic development experience
- Collect 45 points (points are earned by completing professional development via EDAC’s delivery agents. Find out more!)
- Contact Penny Gardiner, Ec.D., CEO of EDAC (gardiner@edac.ca) to verify points and start the certification process
- Pay Certification fee and download the Certification Package
- Study – EDAC’s Guide: The Essentials of Economic Development can be an essential tool to prepare for you exam
- Schedule your exam with EDAC CEO, Penny, via email gardiner@edac.ca
- Complete EDAC’s Exam (75% or higher grade to pass)
- Upon successful completion of the Ec.D. Exam, members must maintain their EDAC membership annually and re-certify every three years to continue use of the Ec.D. Designation.
Do I have to be a Member?
Yes. Learn more about becoming a Member on edac.ca.
Is there a cost?
Yes. A certification fee will be charged to each member wishing to write the Ec.D. Exam. You can pay this and begin the Certification process on the Registration page after confirming all aspects with Penny Gardiner, Ec.D., CEO of EDAC.
How To Schedule your Exam
- Register and pay the certification fee online
- Complete the certification package – you can download after payment
- Once you do, send it along to Penny Gardiner, Ec.D., CEO of EDAC via email (gardiner@edac.ca)
- Finally, Penny will schedule an exam day, time and assign a proctor
- On exam day, you will need to login here (exam.edac.ca) as well as follow the provided Zoom link to begin
Information for Non-members about the exam
This is a page about the benefits, the nuts and bolts of how to register, the restrictions, etc. of how to register for the exam.
Prep Recommendations
Take the time to review:
- Year 1 binder and notes
- Year 2 binder and notes
- Your particular course notes
- Any bulletins you may have
- The Essentials of Economic Development: Practices, Principles & Planning – EDAC’s Comprehensive Guide to Economic Development – Purchase the guide on edac.ca
- Many of your answers will come from personal work experience
Online Writing Requirements
- Computer with a webcam – you will be on video/screensharing for the duration of the exam
- Modern browser (ie. Chrome or Safari)
- Stable internet connection – required connection for the full 5 hour exam
- Zoom installed
Please also review our Exam Policies.
Exam Structure
SECTION 1: Multiple Choice
- Recommended max time spent: 40 minutes
- This portion of the exam accounts for a total of 12 marks – each question is worth 0.5 points
- You must answer all of them
- This section is automatically marked
SECTION 2(a): Contemporary Essay
- Recommended time spent: 70 minutes
- Essay length should be maximum 3,000 words (can be less as long as you thoroughly answer the question)
- This portion of the exam accounts for 15 marks
- Answers will be submitted and marked later
SECTION 2(b): Short Answers
- Recommended time spent: 160 minutes
- This portion of the exam accounts for 64 marks
- There are 8 sections (A-H) with 3 questions in each. You must answer 1 question from each of the 8 sections.
- These answers can be point-form – however, ensure to answer the question thoroughly
- Answers will be submitted and marked later
SECTION 3: Oral Portion
- Upon submission of the online portion of the exam, you will continue on Zoom to answer questions verbally with your proctor.
- This portion of the exam is approximately 30 minutes and accounts for 9 marks.
- In some cases, the Oral portion may be scheduled as a call or Zoom at another time. Confirm with your proctor.
- Answers will be recorded and marked later.