This post is for those who would like some more information about the most popular proficiency tests in Canada.
Here you will find some information about the tests, their official websites and some other ideas so you can get prepared and get a good score.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s most popular high stakes English-language test for study, work and migration, with more than 2.2 million tests taken each year.
IELTS assesses all of your English skills — reading, writing, listening and speaking — and is designed to reflect real life use of English — at study, at work, and at play.
The IELTS test is developed by some of the world’s leading experts in language assessment. It has an excellent international reputation, and is accepted by over 9,000 organisations worldwide, including schools, universities, employers, immigration authorities and professional bodies.
IELTS is the most widely accepted English language test that uses a one-on-one speaking test to assess your English communication skills. This means that you are assessed by having a real-life conversation with a real person. This is the most effective and natural way of testing your English conversation skills.
You can choose from two versions of the test – IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training – depending on the organisation you are applying to and your plans for the future. Both versions of the test are made up of four parts – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. IELTS results are graded on the unique IELTS 9-band scale.
Some useful websites for IELTS are:
The TOEFL iBT® test, administered via the Internet, is an important part of your journey to study in an English-speaking country. In addition to the test, the ETS TOEFL® Program provides tools and guides to help you prepare for the test and improve your English-language skills.
The TOEFL iBT test measures your ability to use and understand English at the university level. And it evaluates how well you combine your listening, reading, speaking and writing skills to perform academic tasks.
More than 30 million people from all over the world have taken the TOEFL® test to demonstrate their English-language proficiency. The average English skill level ranges between Intermediate and Advanced.
- Students planning to study at a higher education institution
- English-language learning program admissions and exit
- Scholarship and certification candidates
- English-language learners who want to track their progress
- Students and workers applying for visas
You can contact a local TOEFL iBT Resource Center for general in-language information about the TOEFL test and test preparation. TOEFL iBT Resource Centers are available in specific countries.
More than 9,000 colleges, agencies and other institutions in over 130 countries accept TOEFL scores. For more information, including using your scores to satisfy visa requirements in Australia and the U.K., how to find institutions that accept TOEFL scores, and more, see Who Accepts TOEFL Scores.
The TOEFL test has more test dates (over 50 per year) and locations than any other English-language test in the world. You can retake the test as many times as you wish, but you cannot take it more than once in a 12-day period. If you already have a test appointment, you cannot register for another test date that is within 12 days of your existing appointment.
Watch a short video (Flash) to see what happens at one of our TOEFL iBT test centers on test day.
ETS offers a variety of paid and free preparation materials to help you get ready for the TOEFL test.
The cost of the test varies between countries. For information on registration, fees, test dates and locations, select your test location.
Some useful websites for TOEFL are:
The CELPIP-General Test is designated by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) as proof of English language proficiency for those applying for permanent resident status in Canada under the following immigration streams:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP),
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP),
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC),
- Start-up Visa Program, and
- various Provincial Nominee Programs.
For specific language requirements, please visit the CIC website at www.cic.gc.ca.
The CELPIP-General Test is a complete English language testing program that assesses general levels of functional competency. The test is completely computer-delivered and consists of following components:
The CELPIP-General Test uses the English variety spoken in Canada. Individuals wishing to immigrate to and adapt to life in Canada relate more to understanding and using Canadian English than other varieties of English used in other comparable testing systems.
The CELPIP-Academic Test assesses a higher level of English language proficiency. This test is made up of the following sections:
- Academic Reading and Writing
All components of the CELPIP-Academic Test are computer-delivered. The test is completed in just one test sitting, offering a unique test-taking experience that requires no additional appointments with a human examiner.
The CELPIP-Academic Test uses the English variety spoken in Canada. Individuals wishing to immigrate to and adapt to life in Canada relate more to understanding and using Canadian English than other varieties of English used in other comparable testing systems.
Interested to hear a sample of the Canadian accents used in our test? Check out our free CELPIP-Academic sample questions.
Some useful links for CELPIP are:
The Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) is an intermediate to advanced level standardized examination for adult nonnative speakers of English. The MELAB is recognized by thousands of colleges, universities, and professional organizations as evidence of high intermediate to low advanced English language proficiency, for academic or professional purposes.
The MELAB is a standardized intermediate to advanced level English as a foreign language (EFL) examination and is administered monthly at authorized test centers in various countries.
The purpose of the MELAB is to evaluate English language proficiency of adult nonnative speakers of English who will need to use English for academic purposes at the college and university level, or for professional certification. The MELAB assesses linguistic, discoursal, sociolinguistic, and pragmatic elements of the English language. The four component skills of listening, reading, writing, and speaking are evaluated through a combination of tasks.
Stimuli in the MELAB reflect a range of situations likely to be met in most countries. The Common European Framework (CEFR) identifies four basic domains (see below), namely personal, public, occupational, and educational (Council of Europe, 2001: 48–49). The MELAB focuses primarily on the educational domain with a secondary focus on the public and occupational domains. Various topics are used across the three domains, some of which may be used more in certain domains than others.
Some useful links for MELAB are:
The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) is a standardized test of English in use for academic purposes. It is designed to describe the level of English language of test takers planning to study in English-medium colleges and universities.
The CAEL Assessment tests ability to use English as it is used in Canadian universities and colleges. It allows test takers to experience what it is like to participate in a Canadian post secondary classroom.
The CAEL Assessment offers a unique alternative to other standardized tests of English because it is a topic-based performance test. It comprises an integrated set of language activities. Test takers read articles, listen to a lecture, answer questions and write a short essay – all on one subject.
The language tasks and activities in the CAEL Assessment are systematically sampled from those which are commonly undertaken within the academic community.
The content for the tasks on the CAEL Assessment is drawn from introductory university courses, at times when professors are introducing new topics to their students, with the expectation that the students know little or nothing about the content.
Click here to view sample CAEL test topics.
CAEL Assessment results are widely accepted. Follow this link for a detailed list of Canadian institutions and their required scores – universities and colleges.
The fee for taking the CAEL Assessment in Canada is $195.00 CAD.
The CAEL Assessment is available in a number of locations around the world.
CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP TEST
- the rights, freedoms and responsibilities of Canadian citizens,
- Canada’s democracy and ways to take part in Canadian society,
- Canadian political and military history (including the political system, monarchy and branches of government),
- Canadian social and cultural history and symbols, and
- Canadian physical and political geography.
If you are asked to come to an interview, you can also be tested to speak and understand English or French. A parent or guardian may come with their child to a test, interview or hearing, however, they are not allowed to help their child during the testing of the child’s language or knowledge abilities.
For more information, click on the official website:
It’s a good idea to practice a lot before you register for any test, all tests assess your English skills, but it’s also important to understand the test you are going to take and do a lot of pre-tests before you take the real one.
Wish everyone good luck!