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Receiving thousands of applications from students, both domestically and internationally, there are a limited number of ways you can use to stand out and actually be considered for admission. One such way is by attempting one of the accepted entrance exams in Canada.
Whether it is the standardised test and/or the language proficiency test, choosing the right test to submit to universities will determine your enrolment chances. Moreover, understanding how each of the entrance exams in Canada can improve your candidature can significantly increase your chances of enrolment.
In this article, we will discuss the most popular entrance exams that international students should consider before sending in their application forms to study in Canada.
What Exams Are Required to Study in Canada?
Like the top universities across the globe, international students may be required to attempt different standardised tests, including English Language Proficiency Tests. Outlined below are some of the popular entrance exams in Canada for international students.
| Qualification | Entrance Exam Required |
|---|---|
| English Language Proficiency | Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) Duolingo English Test (DET) Pearson Test for English (PTE Academic) Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) |
| Undergraduate | Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT American College Test (ACT) |
| Graduate | Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Graduate Management Admission Test) Law School Admission Test (LSAT) |
Let us discuss these popular entrance exams in Canada that you, as an international student, may have to submit along with your student application this year.
English Language Proficiency Tests
Mandatory for all international students, specifically those whose first language is any other than English, is the submission of an English Language Proficiency Test score. Across the country, top-ranking universities accept a host of ELP exams in Canada, as outlined below:
Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL)
The Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) is a standardised test designed to reflect Canadian academic standards and contexts. Like other language proficiency tests in the country, it assesses the English language proficiency of each candidate, ensuring that they possess the appropriate skills and knowledge to complete a Canadian education. More than 180 institutions across Canada accept the test; however, the test is rarely accepted by institutions in other countries.
CAEL Highlights
| Exam Duration | 3 hours and 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Exam Fees (in CAD) | CA $290 |
| Number of Sections | 4 Components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking |
| Total Score | 10 - 90 |
| Unique Feature | Reflects the exact Canadian academic language used in Canadian Institutions. |
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Among the most popular ELP exams in Canada, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is designed to assess the English proficiency of any non-native English speaker to study in an English-speaking country. For students applying for universities and colleges in Canada, the IELTS Academic is the popular choice, which is accepted by 12,500 universities across 140 countries.
IELTS Academic Highlights
| Exam Duration | 2 hours and 45 minutes |
|---|---|
| Exam Fees (in INR) | INR 18,000 |
| Number of Sections | 4 Sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking |
| Total Score | 0 - 9 |
| Unique Feature | Accepts both UK and US English formats |
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Another highly accepted and commonly chosen ELP test for higher studies abroad is the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Over the years, the test has seen many changes and updates to adapt to the rigorous and dynamic nature of university education. Universities across the globe accept TOEFL iBT test scores as a representation of a candidate’s ability to tackle the academic language challenges seen at universities and colleges.
TOEFL iBT Highlights
| Exam Duration | 1 Hour and 56 minutes |
|---|---|
| Exam Fees (in INR) | INR 17,999 |
| Number of Sections | 4 Sections: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking |
| Total Score | 0 - 120 |
| Unique Feature | Allows the combination of your best scores in each section to submit to universities(if the test has been taken multiple times) |
Pearson Test for English (PTE Academic)
Offered as a completely computer-based test, the PTE Academic has become one of the commonly accepted exams in Canada, which is also recognised and accepted by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). PTE Academic uses a unique blend of AI and human scoring to assess the language proficiency of all candidates planning to travel abroad for higher studies, professional registration or even immigration.
PTE Academic Highlights
| Exam Duration | 2 hours and 15 minutes |
|---|---|
| Exam Fees (in INR) | INR 18,000 |
| Number of Sections | 3 Sections: Speaking and Writing, Reading, Listening |
| Total Score | 10 - 90 |
| Unique Feature | Uses both AI and Humans to score the test, allowing for a more efficient evaluation method |
Duolingo English Test (DET)
The most recent of all the popular ELP exams in Canada, the Duolingo English Test (DET), also called the Duolingo, is designed to assess the language proficiency of different candidates; however, the process is different compared to the other traditional tests. While the traditional tests require you to visit a test centre to take the tests, Duolingo is taken from the comfort of your home and is fully online. Moreover, the test is adaptive in nature, i.e. the difficulty level of each question is dependent on the performance of the candidate.
Duolingo Highlights
| Exam Duration | 1 Hour |
|---|---|
| Exam Fees (in USD) | US $59 |
| Number of Sections | 4 Sections: Speaking, Writing, Listening and Reading |
| Total Score | 10 - 160 |
| Unique Feature | Adaptive Test, i.e. test difficulty level varies depending on individual performance. |
Undergraduate Entrance Exams in Canada
Colleges and universities in Canada use undergraduate examinations, i.e. SAT and ACT, as a tool to understand the academic prowess of a candidate. However, these test scores are not a mandatory requirement for admission to Canadian universities. Nevertheless, prospective students can attempt the test to improve their academic profile and have a higher chance of enrolment in a country that sees significant international student applications. Let us learn more about these exams in Canada.
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
The most popular among all the undergraduate standardised tests, the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is accepted by a limited number of colleges and universities in Canada. The test allows the admission committee to better understand the academic prowess of each candidate. The test evaluates the candidate’s readiness for university education through reading, writing and arithmetic.
SAT Highlights
| Exam Duration | 2 Hours and 14 minutes |
|---|---|
| Exam Fees (in USD) | Standard fee: US $68 Test fees vary from country to country |
| Number of Sections | 2 Sections: Reading and Writing, and Mathematics |
| Total Score | 400 - 1,600 |
| Unique Feature | Section Adaptive Test, i.e. the difficulty level of each section varies depending on performance on the previous section. |
American College Test (ACT)
Often considered as an alternative to the SAT, the American College Test (ACT) is a computer-based test that evaluates a candidate’s university-level academic performance. Commonly accepted across US universities, some colleges and universities in Canada also accept these test scores to enrol students in undergraduate courses.
ACT Exam Highlights
| Exam Duration | 2 hours 55 minutes |
|---|---|
| Exam Fees (in USD) | Standard Fee: US $186.50 ACT Fee + Science Exam: US $196.60 ACT Exam Fee + Writing: US $211.05 |
| Number of Sections | 3 Mandatory Sections: English, Mathematics and Reading 2 Optional: Science and Writing |
| Total Score | 1 - 36 |
| Unique Feature | A dedicated Science section to quantify a candidate’s scientific prowess. |
Graduate Entrance Exams in Canada
Much like the undergraduate entrance exams, many colleges and universities in Canada accept different standardised tests to select the best applicants from around the world. Among the popular tests commonly accepted entrance exams in Canada include GRE, GMAT and LSATs. In addition to these, some universities may specify particular tests for different academic fields and subjects. Let us learn a little more about these graduate entrance exams here.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
The most popular among graduate entrance exams in Canada, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardised test for certain graduate programmes, i.e. Science, Engineering, Social Sciences and many others. Like other entrance exams, the GRE is designed to evaluate a candidate’s readiness for graduate studies at Canadian universities and is conducted in over 1000 centres across the world.
GRE Exam Highlights
| Exam Duration | 1 hour 58 minutes |
|---|---|
| Exam Fees (in INR) | GRE General Test: INR 22,000 GRE Subject Test: INR 14,500 |
| Number of Sections | 3 Sections: Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning |
| Total Score | Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning: 260 - 340 Analytical Writing: 0 - 6 |
| Unique Feature | The ability to answer questions within a section in any order |
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is the most popular and common test used to evaluate the perfect candidate for most graduate management programmes, specifically MBAs, in the world. Unlike other entrance exams in Canada, GMAT can only be used to enrol in MBAs or other graduate management programmes. The current edition of the exam is called the GMAT Focus edition and comprises three sections, i.e. Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights.
GMAT Exam Highlights
| Exam Duration | 2 hours and 15 minutes |
|---|---|
| Exam Fees (in USD) | Test at Centre: US $275 Online Test: US $300 |
| Number of Sections | 3 Sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Data Insights |
| Total Score | 205 - 805 |
| Unique Feature | The difficulty level of each question is adjusted in real time based on the performance of the previous question |
Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
Like the GMAT, the Law School Admission Test is designed to evaluate a candidate’s ability to succeed at a recognised law school in Canada. LSAT is among the popular subject-specific entrance exams in Canada that international students can attempt to improve their candidature at any one of the top universities in the country.
LSAT Exam Highlights
| Exam Duration | 2 hours and 20 minutes |
|---|---|
| Exam Fees (in USD) | US $248 |
| Number of Sections | 4 Sections: 2 scored Logical Reasoning sections, 1 scored Reading Comprehension and 1 unscored experimental section. Additional: Unscored Writing Section |
| Total Score | 120 - 180 |
| Unique Feature | The test focuses purely on Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension, with the latest update that removed the Analytical Reasoning section. |
How to Select the Right Entrance Exams in Canada?
Standardised and language proficiency tests are among the common requirements for admission and student visas in Canada. However, with so many options available for international students to take, the following steps can help prospective students choose the right entrance exams in Canada in the upcoming intakes.
- Reverse Engineer the Requirements: Visit the official website of the desired universities and programmes that you wish to study in Canada, and thoroughly read through the admission requirements. Each university and the respective departments will define the exact entrance exams required and their specific score requirements as well. Check for mandatory, accepted and preferred tests to help narrow down the popular entrance exams in Canada that you need to attempt.
- Shortlist English Language Proficiency Tests: All international students, especially those whose first language is any other than English, must attempt one of the recognised ELP tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge, CAEL and Duolingo. Each university will specify the exact ELP tests that are accepted/preferred for admissions.
- Shortlist Standardised Tests: Standardised tests like SAT/ACT for UG courses and GRE/GMAT for PG courses are optional or value-add tests that improve the candidature of an international applicant. These tests are usually not a mandatory requirement for admissions and are often used to enhance the academic profile of a candidate.
- Plan, Prepare and Attempt: Give yourself ample time to plan, prepare and attempt the tests, as specified in the individual university requirements. It is advisable to schedule the tests in a manner that allows candidates to retake the tests in case the first attempt yielded insufficient scores.
The admission requirements for prospective students, both international and domestic, will most likely involve a requirement to submit certain test scores that can help their university applications. Therefore, when shortlisting the entrance exams in Canada, figure out which tests support your candidature, and prepare accordingly. Understanding how these tests can help your academic profile is extremely important to ensure higher enrolment chances in the upcoming intakes in the country. Or, connect with AECC Counsellors today and get expert guidance to understand which entrance exams can help your application this year.