IRCC has started accepting PTE Core test results for Canada PR applications through Express Entry and other immigration programs. Many aspiring immigrants globally have been eagerly anticipating for PTE to be accepted for Canada PR by IRCC.
Apart from IELTS and CELPIP , the Pearson Test of English (PTE) has also joined the list of approved English language tests for Canada PR. Now candidates can take IELTS, CELPIP, and PTE for the immigration process to prove their language proficiency.
PTE is short for the Pearson Test of English and is one of the English language proficiency tests that assesses the English language proficiency skills of an individual.
This blog includes:
- Is PTE accepted for Canada PR?
- Is PTE valid in Canada Immigration?
- About PTE
- PTE Exam Types
- How Much PTE Test Score is Required for Canada?
- What is the format of the PTE Core test?
- How is the PTE speaking test structured?
Is PTE accepted for Canada PR?
Yes, PTE is valid for Canada PR as IRCC has approved PTE for immigration purposes. IRCC has begun accepting PTE Core test results for Canada PR through economic immigration programs.
If you are applying for Canada PR through:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program – minimum CLB 4
- Federal Skilled Trades Program – minimum CLB 4
- Canadian Experience Class – minimum CLB 5
Is PTE valid in Canada Immigration?
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada have begun accepting the Pearson Test of English test results as proof of English language proficiency.
Now that PTE is recognized by the Canadian Government for PR, the next question that arises is which PTE test should you take for Canada PR?
And the answer is PTE Core. It was introduced recently and Pearson is accepting bookings for the exams. So this means you can book your slot too and take the PTE Core exam to be eligible to live and work in Canada.
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About PTE
The Pearson Test of English (PTE) is an English proficiency test that assesses the test taker’s Reading, Writing, Listening, and Writing proficiency skills. There are various types of PTE tests, each crafted to meet different kinds of needs. More than 3,500 universities accept PTE test scores internationally and many countries also accept it now for purposes such as work, study, or even migration.
Generally, a PTE is a 2-3 hour long test and is the first ever completely computer-based test. PTE is a much easier English test to take for its various benefits, for instance, faster results. Usually, test results are out in 2 business days or 48 hours. Other than this reason, the test assesses international English language proficiency and is not just based on British or American English.
Moreover, in case you are one of those who wait till the last minute to do the task, well, PTE also offers last-minute test availability.
Now, let’s take a look at which PTE test types are accepted by IRCC.
PTE Exam Types Accepted by IRCC
Though there are many types of PTE tests, only two of them are approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The two PTE exam types accepted by IRCC are:
- PTE Academic (for study visa applications)
- PTE Core (for immigration & work purposes)
1. PTE Academic
Whichever country’s study visa you are applying to, you can count on the PTE Academic test to prove your language proficiency. PTE Academic test is accepted by IRCC for Student Direct Stream (SDS) applicants.
So, if you are an international student looking to study in Canada, apply through SDS and get your study permit faster! To prove your eligibility for English language proficiency, take a PTE Academic test.
2. PTE Core
This is the newest PTE test type launched by Pearson Test of English. PTE Core is valid for Canadian immigration purposes and work visas. It’s a general test that evaluates one’s speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.
Now, one can take the PTE Core test for a Canada PR visa or a Canada work visa.
How Much PTE Test Score is Required for Canada?
The minimum PTE score requirement for Canada depends on the immigration program you are applying for. Let’s see how much you need to score on your PTE test according to different programs.
For study permit application through Student Direct Stream, you need at least an overall PTE Academic score of 60.
Other immigration programs that we’ll discuss below:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Canadian Experience Class
- Atlantic Immigration Program
- Start-up Visa program
- Agri-Food Pilot program
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot program
- Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot
1. Federal Skilled Worker Program
| CLB LEVEL | Speaking | Reading | Writing | Listening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 42-50 | 33-41 | 41-50 | 28-38 |
| 5 | 51-58 | 42-50 | 51-59 | 39-49 |
| 6 | 59-67 | 51-59 | 60-68 | 50-59 |
| 7 | 68-75 | 60-68 | 69-78 | 60-70 |
| 8 | 76-83 | 69-77 | 79-87 | 71-81 |
| 9 | 84-88 | 78-87 | 88-89 | 82-88 |
| 10 or higher | 89+ | 88+ | 90+ | 89+ |
2. Federal Skilled Trades Program
| CLB LEVEL | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 42-50 | 28-38 | 33-41 | 41-50 |
| 5 | 51-58 | 39-49 | 42-50 | 51-59 |
| 6 | 59-67 | 50-59 | 51-59 | 60-68 |
| 7 | 68-75 | 60-70 | 60-68 | 69-78 |
| 8 | 76-83 | 71-81 | 69-77 | 79-87 |
| 9 | 84-88 | 82-88 | 78-87 | 88-89 |
| 10 or higher | 89+ | 89+ | 88+ | 90+ |
3. Canadian Experience Class
| NOC TEER | CLB LEVEL | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 & 3 | 5 | 51-58 | 39-49 | 42-50 | 51-59 |
| 2 & 3 | 6 | 59-67 | 50-59 | 51-59 | 60-68 |
| 0 & 1 | 7 | 68-75 | 60-70 | 60-68 | 69-78 |
| 0 & 1 | 8 | 76-83 | 71-81 | 69-77 | 79-87 |
| 0 & 1 | 9 | 84-88 | 82-88 | 78-87 | 88-89 |
| 0 & 1 | 10 or above | 89+ | 89+ | 89+ | 90+ |
4. Atlantic Immigration Program
| CLB level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 88-90 | 90 | 89-90 | 89-90 |
| 9 | 78-87 | 88-89 | 82-88 | 84-88 |
| 8 | 69-77 | 79-87 | 71-81 | 76-83 |
| 7 | 60-68 | 69-78 | 60-70 | 68-75 |
| 6 | 51-59 | 60-68 | 50-59 | 59-67 |
| 5 | 42-50 | 51-59 | 39-49 | 51-58 |
| 4 | 33-41 | 41-50 | 28-38 | 42-50 |
| 3 | 24-32 | 32-40 | 18-27 | 34-41 |
5. Start-up Visa program
| CLB level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 88-90 | 90 | 89-90 | 89-90 |
| 9 | 78-87 | 88-89 | 82-88 | 84-88 |
| 8 | 69-77 | 79-87 | 71-81 | 76-83 |
| 7 | 60-68 | 69-78 | 60-70 | 68-75 |
| 6 | 51-59 | 60-68 | 50-59 | 59-67 |
| 5 | 42-50 | 51-59 | 39-49 | 51-58 |
| 4 | 33-41 | 41-50 | 28-38 | 42-50 |
| 3 | 24-32 | 32-40 | 18-27 | 34-41 |
6. Agri-Food Pilot program
| CLB level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 88-90 | 90 | 89-90 | 89-90 |
| 9 | 78-87 | 88-89 | 82-88 | 84-88 |
| 8 | 69-77 | 79-87 | 71-81 | 76-83 |
| 7 | 60-68 | 69-78 | 60-70 | 68-75 |
| 6 | 51-59 | 60-68 | 50-59 | 59-67 |
| 5 | 42-50 | 51-59 | 39-49 | 51-58 |
| 4 | 33-41 | 41-50 | 28-38 | 42-50 |
| 3 | 24-32 | 32-40 | 18-27 | 34-41 |
7. Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot program
| CLB level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 88-90 | 90 | 89-90 | 89-90 |
| 9 | 78-87 | 88-89 | 82-88 | 84-88 |
| 8 | 69-77 | 79-87 | 71-81 | 76-83 |
| 7 | 60-68 | 69-78 | 60-70 | 68-75 |
| 6 | 51-59 | 60-68 | 50-59 | 59-67 |
| 5 | 42-50 | 51-59 | 39-49 | 51-58 |
| 4 | 33-41 | 41-50 | 28-38 | 42-50 |
| 3 | 24-32 | 32-40 | 18-27 | 34-41 |
8. Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot
| CLB level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 88-90 | 90 | 89-90 | 89-90 |
| 9 | 78-87 | 88-89 | 82-88 | 84-88 |
| 8 | 69-77 | 79-87 | 71-81 | 76-83 |
| 7 | 60-68 | 69-78 | 60-70 | 68-75 |
| 6 | 51-59 | 60-68 | 50-59 | 59-67 |
| 5 | 42-50 | 51-59 | 39-49 | 51-58 |
| 4 | 33-41 | 41-50 | 28-38 | 42-50 |
| 3 | 24-32 | 32-40 | 18-27 | 34-41 |
What is the format of the PTE Core test?
The PTE test format is taken on a computer, in a friendly test center. The PTE test is designed to test the candidate’s speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.
The test is 2 hours long, and the test takers are provided with headsets. It’s a single test session that consists of 19 questions, aimed at assessing real-life English.
The PTE test is made up of 3 parts:
Part 1: Speaking and Writing (50 minutes)
Part 2: Reading (30 minutes)
Part 3: Listening (30 minutes)
How is the PTE speaking test structured?
The Speaking and Writing section of the PTE test consists of 7 question types, which naturally aim to assess the candidate’s speaking and writing skills.
In the speaking test, you would need to showcase your English speaking skills. The question types include reading aloud, introducing oneself, repeating sentences, describing images, re-telling lectures, and answering short questions.
Are PTE scores accepted by IRCC?
Yes, PTE is valid for Canada PR as IRCC has approved PTE for immigration purposes. IRCC has begun accepting PTE Core test results for Canada PR through economic immigration programs.
Which countries accept the PTE test?
Several countries across the world accept PTE test scores. Some of them are – Canada, the UK, Australia, Germany, the US, France, UAE, the Netherlands, etc.
Is there a minimum score of PTE for Canadian immigration?
To qualify for the Canadian immigration Permanent Residency (PR) process, it is essential to attain a minimum of CLB 4 on the test required for eligibility. It’s important to note that there are certain exceptions to this criterion.
Is there a negative marking on the PTE Academic test?
No, there is no negative marking in the PTE Academic test. You do not lose points for incorrect answers, so it’s better to make an educated guess if you are unsure.
What is the duration of the PTE Core test?
The PTE Core test takes approximately 2 hours to complete, including the tutorial and breaks. It is also a computer-based test.
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