The retake

Retaking the SAAQ knowledge test: how it works

Updated

The SAAQ knowledge test is retaken by section: you only redo the section or sections you failed, after the mandatory wait of 28 days. You book it with the SAAQ like a normal attempt, at the same $13.50 fee. The good news: a retake can be prepared better than a first attempt — this time, you know exactly what to work on.

How it unfolds, step by step

  1. The wait runs. 28 days separate the fail from the retake — it’s mandatory, so you may as well make it preparation time.
  2. You book with the SAAQ, like the first time. Each attempt costs $13.50. Check the current fee when you book.
  3. Only the failed sections are retaken. The sections you passed stay passed: you are not starting over from zero.

Preparing a retake is different

A first attempt is prepared in breadth; a retake is prepared in depth. You know which section fell short — that section, and almost only that section, is what needs the work:

Permis 101 has a path built for the retake: you tell it which section or sections you’re redoing, and the app concentrates your preparation there — with a readiness score calculated per section that tells you when to book.

A retake is not a restart

Thousands of candidates go through this every year. The per-section retake is designed so that you keep what you’ve already earned: what’s passed is passed, and four weeks of targeted work on one section is a very different — and much shorter — preparation than the first attempt’s.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to redo the sections I passed?

No. The sections you passed stay passed — the retake covers only the section or sections you failed.

How much does the retake cost?

$13.50, paid to the SAAQ — the same fee as any attempt. Check the current fee when you book.

Can I retake before the 28 days are up?

No — the wait is mandatory, without exception. The 28-day rule is explained in detail on its own page, with ideas for turning the wait into preparation.

How do I avoid failing twice?

By preparing the retake differently from the first attempt: targeted work on the failed section, every mistake understood rather than reread, and mock tests in the real format until you clear the threshold with room to spare.

Go further

Prepare the retake, not the whole test

Tell the app which section you’re retaking: Permis 101 concentrates your practice there, and measures your margin — section by section.

Download on the App Store

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Permis 101 is an independent app, not affiliated with the SAAQ. For official information and to book your test, go to the SAAQ.