Study Groups

Directions for Immigrants offers study groups to help you prepare for accreditation exams and employment success. Our clients review materials as outlined in the exam syllabus and/or study materials through a question and answer format. Clients also improve study skills and develop test taking skills. Attention is also paid to the development of relevant vocabulary as well as an understanding of terminology and Canadian business culture. Study groups are also a useful resource for peer support among the participants. The study groups are facilitated by a Career Coach with training in adult education and group facilitation and when possible co-facilitated by a professional in the field of study.

Currently, professional exam study groups are available for:

Engineers

Healthcare Professionals

Job Success Study Groups

Clear Communication for Business, Clear Communication for Health Professionals and Communication Works! are all designed to help internationally trained professionals prepare for and succeed at job search and job maintenance. The purpose of these study groups is to develop effective communication skills and gain familiarity to Canadian workplace culture.  

The study groups are a no cost service available to eligible clients. Clients need to meet with a Career Coach and have a service plan. Individuals, who are not eligible for admittance on a no cost basis, may be able to attend a study group for a fee. For more information call (403) 297-2555.

 

Engineers

APEGGA National Professional Practice Exam (NPPE)

This study group is offered twice weekly; you may choose to attend one of the three hour sessions per week according to which day fits best into your schedule. The 12 week NPPE study group sessions run four times a year in advance of APEGGA’s January, April, July and October exam dates. 

To participate in the NPPE Study Group you are required to:

  • Have applied to be a member of APEGGA.
  • Have a minimum of two years of engineering or geosciences work experience before writing the NPPE.
  • Have submitted the application to write the NPPE and paid the fee to APEGGA before the specified deadline.
  • Purchased the APEGGA Study Material Kit.

NPPE Study Group Calendar

Fridays
Date: October 23, 2009 - January 15, 2010                                                                                              Time: 2:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Date: January 22 - April 9, 2010                                                                                                                   Time: 2:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

 

Saturdays
Date: October 24, 2009 - January 16, 2010                                                                                              Time: 10:00 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Date: January 23 - April 10, 2010                                                                                                                    Time: 10:00 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

 

Healthcare Professionals

Starting Soon! Study Groups for International Medical Graduates                  (IMG Physicians)

In January 2010, Directions for Immigrants will be offering study groups for the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) Qualifying Examination Part I and the MCC Qualifying Examination Part II. The aim of the study groups are to facilitate focused learning and provide a learning environment in which Canadian medical content can be explored, discussed, and modeled with practicing Canadian physician educators and senior residents.

Medical Council of Canada (MCC) Qualifying Examination Part I

The MCCQE Part I study group’s objectives are:

  • To deepen and widen clinical knowledge in all focus areas of the exam through interactive learning, quizzes, and case studies.
  • To develop skills in understanding computer based testing and multiple choice questions in a medical context.

This study group will run for 12 weeks and study sessions will be held twice a week for 3 hours. The 2010 Spring Exam date is yet to be determined by the MCC but is expected to be set for the end of April or the first two weeks of May. 

To participate in the MCC Qualifying Examination Part I study group, participants are required to:

  • Have successfully written and passed the MCC Evaluating Examination or are pending notification.
  • Have registered for the Spring 2010 MCCQE Part I exam or are planning to register.

MCCQE Part I Study Group Calendar

Dates: February 2 – April 24, 2010

Tuesdays                                                                                                                                                 Time:  6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Saturdays                                                                                                                                               Time:  10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Candidates must meet with a Career Coach for an eligibility assessment. There will be limited number of spaces available for this study group. For more information, call the main desk at 403-297-2555.

Medical Council of Canada (MCC) Qualifying Examination Part II (OSCE)

The MCCQE Part II study group’s objectives are:

  • To develop skills in understanding the OSCE exam’ objectives and measurements
  • To deepen and widen clinical knowledge in all focus areas of the Exam through interactive leaning, quizzes, case studies, performance feed-back, and OSCE style practice days.
  • To introduce communication and language skills relative to the passing of the MCCQE Part II

This study group will run for 14 weeks and study sessions will be held twice a week for 3 hours.    The 2010 Spring Exam is set for the beginning of May. 

To participate in the MCC Qualifying Examination Part II, participants are required to:

  • Have successfully written and passed the MCC Qualifying Examination Part I or are pending notification.
  • Have registered for the Spring 2010 MCCQE Part II exam or are planning to register.

MCCQE Part II Study Group Calendar

Dates: January 23 – April 24, 2010

Thursdays                                                                                                                                                 Time:  6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Saturdays                                                                                                                                               Time:  1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Candidates must meet with a Career Coach for an eligibility assessment. There will be limited number of spaces available for this study group. For more information, call the main desk at 403-297-2555.

 

Canadian Registered Nurses Exam (CRNE)

Study sessions are held once per week for three hours. Registration for eligible participants is based on a first come first served basis. This exam is held three times per year. It is recommended to purchase the following textbooks to help you prepare for the CRNE:

  • CRNE Prep Guide
  • Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary
  • Medical Surgical Nursing in Canada
  • Mosby's Comprehensive Review of Nursing
  • Fundamentals of Canadian Nursing  


To participate in the CRNE Study Group you are required to:

  • Be deemed eligible by College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA) to write the exam.
  • CARNA will provide you with the required application forms and information about the application process. CARNA will also advise of your eligibility to take the CRNE and inform you of upcoming CRNE dates.
  • Take a mandatory Study Skills Workshop at Directions for Immigrants.
  • Adhere to the study group agreement policy outlining participant requirements.

CRNE Study Group Calendar

Fridays
Dates: October 16, 2009 - January 29, 2010
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Dates: February 19, - May 29, 2010
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Tuesdays
Dates: October 20, 2009 - February 2, 2010                                                                                               Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Dates: February 23, - May 25, 2010
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Wednesdays (Red Deer)                                                                                                                     Dates: February 24 - May 26, 2010                                                                                                               Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Study Skills Workshop

Participants have a choice to take one of the Study Skills Workshop that fits with their schedule.

  • Date: Wednesday, February 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours)
  • Date: Tuesday, February 16 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (3 hours)

Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada

Evaluating Exam

This study group is offered twice weekly; you may choose to attend one of these sessions per week according to which day fits best into your schedule. This exam is administered twice a year. PEBC Schedule link.

To participate in the PEBC Study Group you are required to:

  • Apply and pay the fee to have your documents evaluated by the PEBC. Note: You must have your documents evaluated before you write the Evaluating Exam. 
  • Submit Evaluating Exam application form and pay the examination fee.    

Evaluating Exam Study Group Calendar

Saturdays
Dates: January 31 - July 14, 2009
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Dates: July 25, 2009 - January 9, 2010                                                                                                    Time: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Wednesdays

Dates: July 29, 2009 - January 6, 2010                                                                                                   Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Dates: February 3 - June 30, 2010                                                                                                              Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Qualifying Exam Part I (MCQ)

Study sessions are held once per week. This exam is held twice a year with the next exam scheduled for Tuesday May 19, and Wednesday May 20, 2009 (this date is subject to change). Candidates must have permission from the PEBC to write the Qualifying exam.

Qualifying Exam Part 1 Study Group Calendar

Saturdays                                                                                                                                              Dates: November 21, 2009 - May 1, 2010                                                                                                       Time: 8:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Qualifying Exam Part 2 (OSCE)

Study sessions are held once per week. This exam is held twice a year with the next exam scheduled for Saturday November 8, 2008 (this date is subject to change). Candidates must have permission from the PEBC to write the Qualifying exam Part 2.

Qualifying Exam Part 2 Study Group Calendar

Saturdays                                                                                                                                              Dates: November 21, 2009 - May 1, 2010                                                                                               Time: 11:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m.

 

Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Certification Exam

Study sessions are held once per week for three and half hours. The eight week CSMLS study group sessions run 3 times a year in advance of the February, June and October exam dates.

To participate in the CSMLS Study Group you are required to register with the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) to establish your eligibility for the CSMLS national certification Examination.

CSMLS Study Group Calendar

Saturdays
Dates: February 27 - June 5, 2010
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

                                                                                       

Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT) Certification Exam

Study sessions are held once per week for three hours. This exam is held three times per year. CAMRT Schedule link.

To participate in the CAMRT Study Group you are required to:

CAMRT Study Group Calendar

Thursdays
Dates: October 29, 2009 - January 14, 2010                                                                                                  Time: 8:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.                                                                                                         

 

Job Success Study Groups

Clear Communication for Business, Clear Communication for Health Professionals and Communication Works! are all designed to help internationally trained professionals prepare for and succeed at job search and job maintenance. The purpose of these study groups is to develop effective communication skills and gain familiarity to Canadian workplace culture. 

The study groups are a no cost service available to eligible clients. Clients need to meet with a Career Coach and have a service plan. Individuals, who are not eligible for admittance on a no cost basis, may be able to attend a study group for a fee. For more information call (403) 297-2555.

Job Success Study Group: Clear Communication for Business

This is a facilitated study group, meeting for 3 hours once a week for ten weeks. The focus will be on the development of essential communication skills required to be successful in the workplace. Clients must have already met with a Career Coach and have a service plan in place.

Clear Communication for Business Study Group Calendar

Saturdays
Dates: January 9 - March 20, 2010
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (3 hours)

Job Success Study Group: Clear Communication for Health Professionals

Developed for health care professionals, this facilitated study group will focus on the essence of effective communication in a health care setting. Learn more about Canadian workplace culture, developing effective listening skills and other techniques designed to help you succeed in the workplace.

Clear Communication for Health Professionals Study Group Calendar

Mondays
Date: January 11 - March 22, 2010                                                                                                                 Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Job Success Study Group: Communication Works!

This is a facilitated study group, meeting for three hours once a week for six weeks. The focus will be on key workplace communication skills including: Canadian workplace culture, sending and receiving information effectively, problem solving, group skills, conflict resolution and understanding personality.

Communication Works! Study Group Calendar

Fridays
Dates: February 12- March 19, 2010                                                                                                            Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.