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About this exam

The NCA Torts exam is one component of the assessment process run by the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. The NCA assesses the legal education and professional experience of individuals who obtained their credentials outside Canada or in a Canadian civil law program, and it applies one standard of evaluation across the country. Candidates assigned Torts are examined on the Canadian common law of torts, and this page groups the material into six study areas: the duty and standard of care in negligence; causation, remoteness and defences; negligent misrepresentation and pure economic loss; occupiers' and employers' liability; intentional torts and defences; and strict liability, nuisance and remedies. Preparation should start from the official exam outline and sample materials published by the NCA, which define the scope of the assignment. Because the NCA permits candidates to write exams online from any location with internet service twelve times a year, you can schedule Torts around your own readiness rather than a fixed sitting. Build a study plan that moves from the general negligence framework to the specialized areas, practise applying rules to short fact patterns, and reserve time for review of the online exam rules and technical requirements before your sitting. This page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NCA or the Federation.

What you'll study

Common questions

About NCA Torts preparation

Who administers the NCA Torts exam?

It is administered through the National Committee on Accreditation of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. The NCA assesses credentials earned outside Canada or in a Canadian civil law program. The Federation is the national association of the 14 law societies that regulate the legal profession in Canada.

How is the exam delivered?

According to the NCA website, candidates can write exams online from any location with internet service, including home. Before your sitting, review the NCA's online exam rules and its technical requirements and testing information so your equipment and environment meet the stated standards.

How often can I sit the exam?

The NCA states that exams can be written twelve times a year, and candidates can set a schedule that suits them. Check the published exam schedules for the specific dates and any deadlines for a given sitting, since the schedule page is the authoritative source.

How long is the exam and what is the pass mark?

The source material does not state a duration or passing score for the Torts exam, so no figure is given here. Confirm these details through your NCA file, the exam outline, or by contacting the NCA directly at the addresses published on its site.

What topics does the Torts exam cover?

Expect Canadian common law tort doctrine: the duty and standard of care in negligence, breach, causation, remoteness and defences, negligent misrepresentation and pure economic loss, occupiers' and employers' liability, intentional torts and their defences, and strict liability, nuisance and remedies. The official NCA exam outline controls the precise scope.

Where do I find the official syllabus and sample questions?

The NCA site publishes exam outlines and sample exams as study aids under its exams information section. Use those documents as your primary guide to the scope of the Torts assignment, and treat any third-party outline as a supplement rather than a substitute.

In what order should I study the topics?

Start with the negligence framework, since duty, breach, causation and defences underpin most other areas. Then work through negligent misrepresentation and pure economic loss, followed by occupiers' and employers' liability. Finish with intentional torts and with strict liability, nuisance and remedies, then practise mixed fact patterns.

What are common reasons candidates struggle?

Typical problems include memorizing rules without practising their application, ignoring the official outline's scope, and misallocating time under exam conditions. Because the NCA allows frequent sittings, candidates sometimes postpone preparation. Build a schedule, work through sample exams, and review the online exam rules before writing.

Can I retake the exam if I do not pass?

The source material does not describe a retake policy for failed exams. Because exams are offered frequently throughout the year, a further sitting is generally available, but confirm the applicable rules and any fees with the NCA or through your NCA file rather than relying on assumption.

Is this page an official NCA resource?

No. This is an independent study page prepared for exam preparation and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced by the NCA or the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. Always rely on the official NCA website, exam outlines, schedules and policies for binding information.