Starting from January 30, 2024, the Pearson Test of English (PTE) will be accepted for all immigration pathways. This means that candidates for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), those in Express Entry-managed programs, and individuals requiring language testing for any other Canadian immigration purpose (excluding SDS) — including Canadian citizenship applications — can now choose the PTE Core exam.
With the addition of PTE, there are now a total of 5 language tests accepted by the Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for immigration purposes, including:
- CELPIP General Test (English)
- IELTS General Training (English)
- PTE Core (English)
- TEF Canada (French)
- TCF Canada (French)
All five tests assess language proficiency in the four skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Depending on the specific program applied for, candidates may need to meet different criteria across these four skills.
What is the PTE Core?
PTE Core is a computer-based English test that assesses your general speaking, writing, reading and listening skills in a single test. Choose PTE Core if you are applying for a migration or work visa to Canada. You can also choose PTE Core if you are applying for Canadian citizenship.
The PTE Core is divided into three parts:
- Speaking and writing (50 minutes);
- Reading (30 minutes); and
- Listening (30 minutes).
This table shows how PTE scores align to CLB levels, so that you know what score you need to achieve your Canadian migration goals.
