Exams Required To Study In Canada include IELTS, SAT, TOEFL, GRE, MCAT and more. Language proficiency tests are accepted by top colleges in Canada for student visa and Canada PR. Canada is one of the most preferred destinations for international students seeking higher education in various fields of study due to modern infrastructure and premier faculty. However, such international students would have to qualify in certain exams in order to be able to study in Canada. The type of exam to be given will depend on the level and the course opted by the candidates.

What Exams are Required To Study In Canada?

Candidates often enquire “Which Exam is Required To Study In Canada?” The candidate for a Canadian student visa must satisfy the ELP requirements by submitting their English language exam results. IELTS is the most popular English proficiency test accepted in Canada, however TOEFL, Duolingo, and PTE are all recognized. To study, work, or live in Canada, a non-native English speaker must demonstrate his fluency in the language.

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Some of the exams that need to be qualified to be eligible to study in Canada has been listed below:

University IELTS TOEFL DET PTE CAEL MELAB
University of Toronto 6.5, with no band below 6.0 100, with 22 in Writing 120 N/A 70, with no part below 60 N/A
McGill University 6.5 86 or above Not accepted 65, with 60 in each component 70, with no part below 60 N/A
University of British Columbia 6.5, with no band below 6.0 90 125 65, with 60 in each component 70 85
University of Alberta 6.5, with no band below 5.5 90, with 21 in each component 115 -125 59 70 85
McMaster University 6.5 86, with 20 in each component Not accepted 60 70, with no part below 60 85

IELTS

“Do I need IELTS to study in Canada?” is often enquired by candidates.

IELTS scores are used to assess English skills of candidates seeking higher education in Canada. The candidates require a minimum period of 3-4 months for IELTS preparation.

Particulars Requirements
Section Reading, Speaking, Writing and Listening
Duration 2 hours 45 minutes
Mode of Exam Online and Offline
Declaration of Result Online: 3-5 days Offline: 14 days
IELTS Band Score 1.0 – 9.0
Minimum Score for Admission 5.5 - 7.5
Application Fee INR 16,500

Duolingo English Test

Duolingo English Test is a test assessing English skills for candidates seeking higher education in Canada. This test has gained more popularity than IELTS and TOEFL exams due to the low application fee and faster declaration of results.

Particulars Requirements
Section Reading, Speaking, Writing and Listening
Duration 1 hour
Mode of Exam Online
Declaration of Result 2 days
DET Score 10 - 160
Application Fee USD 59 (INR 4881.26)

TOEFL

TOEFL is a test assessing English skills of candidates seeking higher education in Canada. Only candidates who have passed their post-secondary are eligible to appear for TOEFL.

Particulars Requirements
Section Reading, Speaking, Writing and Listening
Duration 3 hours 30 minutes
Mode of Exam Online and Offline
Declaration of Result Online (TOEFL iBT): 4-8 days Offline (TOEFL PBT): 11-13 days
TOEFL Score Online (TOEFL iBT): 0-120 Offline (TOEFL PBT): 0-277
Minimum Score for Admission Online (TOEFL iBT): 90-100 Offline (TOEFL PBT): 580
Application Fee USD 195 (INR 15710)

PTE

PTE is an online test accepted in many universities of Canada assessing English skills of candidates seeking MS in Canada.

Particulars Requirements
Section Reading, Speaking, Writing and Listening
Duration 2 hours
Mode of Exam Online
Declaration of Result 5 days
PTE Score 0-90
Minimum Score for Admission 65-75
Application Fee INR 15,900

CAEL

Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) is a test, specifically accepted in Canadian Universities, that assesses the English skills of candidates seeking higher education in Canada.

Particulars Requirements
Section Reading, Speaking, Writing and Listening
Duration 3 hours 30 minutes
Mode of Exam Online
Declaration of Result 8 days
Score 10-90
Application Fee CA$ 280 (INR 17,297)

MELAB

The University of Michigan English Institute offers the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery, formerly known as MELAB. The MELAB test is open to students from more than 70 nations and is requried to study in Canada.

Particulars Requirements
Section composition, listening, reading
Duration 60 minutes
Mode of Exam Online
Declaration of Result 4-6 weeks
Score 0-99
Application Fee Without speaking $ 80 (INR) With speaking $120(INR

French Proficiency Test

The international candidates seeking higher education in top Canadian Universities Ranking colleges must be fluent in French. Hence, such students must qualify exams like TEFAQ and TEF in order to prove their efficiency in French.

TEF

Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF) is a test assessing French skills of international students seeking admission in Canadian Universities. English language proficency scores are required to avail scholarships in Canada for international students  

Particulars Requirements
Section Writing, Reading, Speaking and Listening
Duration 2 hours 55 minutes
Mode of Exam Online
Declaration of Result 2-4 weeks
Score 7 levels as per Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)
Application Fee $ 440 (INR 36,380)

TEFAQ

Test de Français Adapté au Québec (TEFAQ) is a test assessing French skills of international students seeking admission to universities in Quebec.

Other Exams

Besides English and French Proficiency tests, the candidates will have to appear for other exams based on the course of study.

GMAT

GMAT is an academic test for candidates willing to pursue MBA in Canada.

Particulars Requirements
Section Verbal Reasoning, Analytical Writing, Quantitative Reasoning and Integrated Reasoning
Duration 3 hours 7 minutes
Mode of Exam Online
Declaration of Result 7 days
GMAT Score 200-800
Application Fee $ 275 (INR 22,738)

GRE

GRE is an academic test for candidates seeking admission in Masters or Doctoral Program in Canada. There is no age limit for appearing in this exam and it is valid for 5 years.

Particulars Requirements
Section Verbal Reasoning, Analytical Writing and Quantitative Reasoning
Duration 3 hours 45 minutes
Mode of Exam Online and Offline
Declaration of Result 10-15 days
GRE Score 260-340
Application Fee $ 228 (INR 18,851)

LSAT

Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is an academic test for candidates seeking admission in top law schools in Canada. There is no age limit for appearing in LSAT exam.

Particulars Requirements
Section Reading Comprehension, Logical Reasoning - I, Analytical Reasoning and Logical Reasoning - II
Duration 2 hours 20 minutes
Mode of Exam Online
Declaration of Result 3-4 weeks
Score 120-180
Application Fee $ 200 (INR 16,536)

SAT

The SAT test holds very high significance in a candidate’s application while he/she is applying for an undergraduate program in USA. The SAT scores are accepted by every university is USA with a minimum required score of 1300. However, in some prestigious institutes like Harvard university, a minimum SAT score of 1520 is required. While top US universities may consider SAT as a mandatory requirement for undergraduate admission, there are some universities that offer SAT waiver or consider it as an optional requirement.

SAT Duration 3 hours 50 minutes (with essay)
No. of Sections 3 (Reading, writing, maths)
SAT Fees 101 USD (INR 8365) without essay,
78 USD (INR 6460) with essay
Opt for SAT if have a strong vocabulary, can work well with complex and hard worded sections

MCAT

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is an academic test for candidates seeking admission in top medical universities in Canada. The validity of MCAT exam scores is three years. Medical Courses in Canada after 12 offers a wide variety of medical universities to students. Students after the 12th class can opt for this as their career choice.

Particulars Requirements
Section Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems, Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems, Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills and Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behaviour
Duration 7 hours 30 minutes
Mode of Exam Online
Declaration of Result 30-35 days
Score 472-528
Application Fee $ 310-370 (INR 25,632-30,593)

What Documents do I Need to Study In Canada?

Rising job vacancies in Canada are attracting more and more students to go to Canada for higher studies. Here are the list of documents required to study in Canada:

  • A duly filled-in application form
  • Academic transcripts and certificates from all attended educational institutions
  • Resume
  • Letter of recommendation or reference letter
  • Statement of purpose
  • Canada student visa
  • Scores of the standardized tests accepted by the university
  • Payment for the non-refundable application fee
  • Passport copy
  • Proof of funding or scholarships

While applying for university in Canada, the applicants must go through all the eligibility requirements and exams applicable for the program they applied for in the particular university. The requirements differ in each university and college in Canada. Some universities may consider test scores as optional requirements or offer a waiver option. On the other hand, the top universities may have a compulsion to submission of standardized test results.

FAQs

Ques: What exams are required to study in Canada?

Ans: The most common exams required to study in Canada are the IELTS or TOEFL for English proficiency, and the GRE or GMAT for graduate programs. Some programs might also require specific subject-based tests or additional assessments.

Ques: Is the IELTS or TOEFL mandatory for all international students?

Ans: English language proficiency exams like IELTS or TOEFL are typically required for non-native English speakers, but some universities might waive this requirement if your previous education was conducted in English or if you meet certain language criteria.

Ques: What is the purpose of the GRE and GMAT exams?

Ans: The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is often required for admission to graduate programs, while the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is commonly required for business and management-related programs. These exams assess your skills and knowledge in relevant subject areas.

Ques: Are there exemptions for the GRE or GMAT exams?

Ans: Some universities might waive the GRE or GMAT requirement based on factors like your previous academic achievements, work experience, or if you have completed a relevant master's degree.

Ques: Can I take the exams in my home country?

Ans: Yes, these exams are offered in many countries worldwide. You can find testing centers in your home country or nearby locations. Online testing options may also be available for some exams.

Ques: How often are these exams conducted?

Ans: IELTS and TOEFL tests are usually held multiple times a month, allowing you to choose a convenient date. GRE and GMAT exams are also offered throughout the year, with specific dates available on the respective exam websites.

Ques: How should I prepare for these exams?

Ans: There are various resources available, including official study guides, practice tests, and online courses. Many students also find it helpful to join study groups, work with tutors, or use dedicated test preparation apps.

Ques: What is the minimum score required for these exams?

Ans: The minimum required scores can vary by university and program. It's essential to check the specific requirements of the institutions and programs you're interested in to determine the scores you need to achieve.

Ques: Can I retake the exams if my scores are not satisfactory?

Ans: Yes, you can retake these exams if you're not satisfied with your scores. However, there might be limitations on how frequently you can retake them. Be sure to review the policies of the respective exam board for retake guidelines.

Ques: Are there alternative exams accepted by Canadian universities?

Ans: While the IELTS and TOEFL are the most commonly accepted English proficiency exams, some universities might also accept exams like the Cambridge English exams. Similarly, some programs might consider other subject-specific exams in place of the GRE or GMAT, but this varies by institution.?