The Pearson Test of English (PTE) Essential
On February 1, 2023, IRCC approved the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Essential for Canadian immigration applications. Moreover, IRCC will likely start accepting the scores from this test in late 2023.
Let’s explore what this new test is all about.
Table of contents
What is the Pearson Test of English (PTE)?
PTE Essential is a new English language test that Pearson Canada Inc. created to meet IRCC’s language proficiency requirements for Canadian immigration. The approval of this test means there are now five designated language tests (three in English and two in French) available to economic-class immigration candidates.
| CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program | Administered by Paragon Testing Enterprises Inc. |
| IELTS: International English Language Testing System | Administered by Cambridge Assessment English, International Development Program (IDP) Australia, and British Council. |
| PTE Essential: Pearson Test of English (PTE) Essential | Administered by Pearson Canada Inc. |
| TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français | Administered by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry. |
| TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français | Administered by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry. |
<<Also Read: Is Duolingo Test Accepted for Canada PR or Study Permit>>
How does PTE test affect applicants?
This update is currently for the economic class candidates. The economic class include all the Express Entry programs, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), Caregivers, Agri-Food Pilot, Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, Economic Mobility Pathways Project, Atlantic Immigration, Quebec Skilled Workers and Business, and more.
Canada offers over 50 different pathways for economic class immigrants. Moreover, IRCC requires that economic class candidates complete language proficiency testing to demonstrate their ability to establish in this country.
In addition to completing an IRCC designated language test, candidates must achieve the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score set for a given pathway.
The government of Canada uses CLB to identify your mastery of the English language. The French language equivalent to CLB is the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC).
At the time, IRCC has not specified when applicants will be able to submit PTE Essential in support of their applications. However it has written on its website it will likely start accepting the scores towards the end of 2023.
Related Articles
- CLB vs IELTS – Equivalency Table
- CLB vs TEF Canada – NCLC Equivalency Table
- IELTS for work permit – A Federal Court point of view
- Is Duolingo Test Accepted for Canada PR or Study Permit
- Minimum Language Requirements for Express Entry
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