IRCC Expands Acceptance of Pearson Test of English for Canada Immigration

The Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has expanded its acceptance of language proficiency tests for immigration purposes, now including the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Core test, with effect from January 30, 2024. Canadian government has approved the PTE Core as an alternative for individuals applying for migration or work visas to Canada, as well as those pursuing Canadian citizenship.

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) Core is now acknowledged for all immigration pathways except the Student Direct Stream (SDS). This policy change benefits applicants applying via the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Express Entry managed programs, and individuals requiring a language test for various Canadian immigration purposes, including Canadian citizenship applications.

What is the PTE Core?

It is a computer-based test designed to evaluate general English proficiency in speaking, writing, reading, and listening within a 2-hour timeframe. Find below the PTE Core: Pearson Test of English:

First official language (maximum 24 points)

Test results for each ability
CLB Level	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing	Points per ability
7	68-75	60-70	60-68	69-78	4
8	76-83	71-81	69-77	79-87	5
9	84-88	82-88	78-87	88-89	6
10 and above	89+	89+	88+	90+	6

Second official language (4 points if you meet the minimum threshold in each of the four language abilities)

Test results for each ability
CLB Level	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing	Points (total)
5 and above	51-90	39-90	42-90	51-90	4

Key features of PTE Core

Find below the key aspects of PTE test for Canada immigration:

• Accepted by the IRCC for work and migration
• Get results in typically 2 days
• Assesses your everyday English
• Our unique combination of AI scoring and human expertise reduces the risk of bias
• Fully computer-based test, taken in a test centre
• A single 2-hour test in a test centre

Typically attainable within 48 hours, the results of the PTE Core test are assessed by both human assessors and AI (artificial intelligence) to reduce bias. Consisting of speaking and writing (50 minutes), reading (30 minutes), and listening (30 minutes) sections, the PTE Core supersedes the previously accepted PTE Essential exam.

It's vital for immigration applicants to select the appropriate test for their intended program, as Pearson offers a range of tests, including the PTE Academic. With testing facilities worldwide, the PTE Core offers a appropriate choice for candidates seeking to show their language proficiency for Canadian immigration purposes.

Approved Language Test by Canada Immigration

The inclusion of the PTE Core brings the total number of language tests recognized by IRCC for immigration purposes to five. These include:

• CELPIP General Test (English);
• IELTS General Training (English);
• PTE Core (English);
• TEF Canada (French); and
• TCF Canada (French).

Each of the 5 evaluations assesses language ability in four primary skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Depending on the specific program for which candidates are applying, they may require meeting different criteria within these 4 skill domains.