Student Life
Failed exam advice, clinical placement tips, and real talk for PSW students at Canadian community colleges — honest support at every stage of your program.
PSW Placement Tips — How to Succeed on Your Clinical Placement
Practical tips for PSW students heading into clinical placement. What to expect, how to prepare, common mistakes, and how to get a strong reference.
I Failed the NACC PSW Exam — Now What? A Re-Taker's Guide
Failed the NACC PSW exam? You're not alone. How to regroup, study differently, and pass on your next attempt. A practical guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can rewrite the exam. NACC's exam-system walkthroughs (published January 2025) allow three attempts in total, all within 12 months of successfully completing your practicum. Before the third and final attempt, your college must make sure you have received additional help to prepare, including a submitted training plan (nacc.ca, checked September 9, 2026). Those walkthroughs and NACC's student FAQ do not specify a waiting period between attempts, a retake fee or a pass mark, so ask your college to confirm the current requirements, the date and any fee; your results also come through your college. Use the time between attempts to drill weak sections with timed practice questions.
Ontario PSW programs usually split supervised placement between a long-term care home and a community or home-care setting. The number of placement hours varies by college and program — confirm it with your program.
Yes — many Ontario students work as PSW support staff or health-care aides after completing the first portion of their program and clinical placement. Confirm with your college that off-campus work does not conflict with placement scheduling or academic standing requirements.