Is the English Proficiency Exam Compulsory for People Migrating to Canada?

If you are confused about whether the English proficiency exam for Canada is compulsory, then the answer is yes. Every aspirant seeking immigration to Canada must prove their proficiency in the language via clearing any of the three approved tests, viz. IELTS, Celpip, and TEF.

What is English Proficiency Exam?

It is an exam for all non-native English speakers to prove their command over the language before migrating to western parts of the world. One of the most popular exams is IELTS – International English Language Testing System. It assesses the individuals’ ability in four sections – Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.

There are two kinds of IELTS exam for Canada PR, i.e., Academic and General. Students who are willing to pursue higher education abroad need to appear for Academic IELTS. General IELTS is for the candidates who want to go to English speaking countries for work experience or secondary education.

Criteria for Selection

More than 10,000 institutions spread across 140+ countries accept the IELTS score as the primary criteria for admission. All you need is to visit the IELTS website to get detailed information on which college or institution accepts the IELTS score.

Every aspirant must understand, there is a minimum requirement for IELTS score for Canada. These cut-offs are usually different for each institution and are available on the institution’s website.

IELTS scores range between one to nine, with one being the lowest and nine being the highest. An ideal IELTS score for Canada would be anything above six and is enough to qualify. The arithmetic mean is calculated considering all the scores.

Even after the student gets clearing marks in IELTS, he has to apply for admission within two years. Beyond that, the IELTS score gets invalid, and the candidate has to appear again for the exam.

Also Read : What is the Difference between the PTE Academic and PTE General?

Scope of IELTS

General IELTS scores are usually for migration to countries like Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the UK. In India, IELTS is conducted by the British Council in more than 40 cities across the country. For taking the test, the candidate has to pay the required fee and a single identification document.

The Process to Get Admission through IELTS for Canada

Now let us discuss the right procedure to get admission to a university. Let us start with the Academic IELTS.

1. Get your higher education documents ready before applying. It can be your senior secondary education passing certificate.
2. Apply for the IELTS exam to prove your proficiency in the language. The price of taking the exam is around Rs. 13,000. We would recommend taking coaching to understand the concept of exams and score better.
3. The minimum requirements for an IELTS band for Canada or university in Canada is six or more in each section – Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.
4. After you clear the exams, start looking for universities or colleges in Canada. The application fee for universities ranges from Rs. 3,000 to Rs 12,000.
5. They will ask for the details on your academic score, whether graduation or higher secondary. You will need your curriculum vitae and IELTS score handy to fill up the university form.
6. After the university accepts your application, you need to pay the university fee. They will give approval and VISA to travel to Canada.

Is GRE an English Proficiency Exam?

The General Records Examination (GRE) is a gateway for the aspirants who want to pursue their Masters abroad. They can also settle in western countries after clearing the exam and getting a job post their studies.

GRE comprises general tests and subjects tests. The general test subjects include Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Critical Thinking and Analytical Writing. All the other subjects’ results are provided on the same day of the exam, but Analytical Writing is released to the candidate within eight days. On the other hand, the subject test comprises the general knowledge and skills on the specialization of the candidates’ core subjects.

The total examination is of 340 marks, and getting anything more than 320 is considered as good marks to qualify.

Conclusion

IELTS is an English language proficiency test used to prove your command over the language for non-native English speakers. Everyone in India needs to take this exam to migrate to native English speaking countries like Canada, the US, UK, New Zealand, Australia, etc.

The test opens doors to opportunities in International academic and professional institutions. IELTS assesses the English language skills through Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. IELTS is the benchmark for the selection of students in more than 10,000 institutions around the world.

On the other hand, GRE is another test to examine the candidates’ quantitative approach and qualify for Masters and doctoral programs abroad. The eligibility for the test for the candidate is to have at least an undergraduate degree. Choosing between the two exams depends on the location and stream of studies.

You can choose to take IELTS Academic or IELTS general training based on the institution you are applying for and your future goals. Visit our website to know more.

Also Read : IELTS, OET, & PTE Misconceptions: Myths and Facts Unveiled