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English exams for Canada: which one suits you best for academic purposes?

13th Sep 2024 | Information

By British Council Canada

It is no secret that English exams for Canada are crucial for students aspiring to pursue higher education in this country. To give you all the relevant information you must know, so that you can make an informed decision, we will compare the language proficiency tests that are currently accepted, focusing on their availability, recognition, and structural components. 

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 English exams for Canada: which ones are accepted for academic purposes?  

The main English proficiency tests that are accepted for academic purposes in Canada are IELTS Academic, Cambridge English, Duolingo English Test, CAEL, TOEFL iBT, and PTE Academic.  

This time we will deepen into the characteristics of IELTS Academic, Duolingo, and CAEL. You can check our articles about TOEFL and PTE to find out more information about them.  

1. IELTS Academic 

IELTS is the first one on the list because among the various English exams accepted in Canada it holds significant prominence. It is recognised and accepted by 12,000 organisations and institutions in more than 150 countries.  

The Academic version is valid in leading universities, schools, and training colleges throughout Canada. It is recognised by 850 institutions in the country.  

Here is the most relevant information about this test: 

Characteristic Description
Length Approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes
Scoring
  • Each section is scored individually on a scale from 0 to 9, with the overall band score being the average of the 4 sections.
  • Keep in mind that most universities require a 6.5 overall band score.
Sections
  • Listening: 30 minutes, 40 questions, and 4 recordings.
  • Reading: 60 minutes, 40 questions, and 2 long texts.
  • Writing: 60 minutes, and two tasks: the first one is about describing the information presented in a chart, graph, or map; on the second one you will be asked to write an essay.
  • Speaking: 11 to 14 minutes, is face-to-face with the examiner and has three parts.
Availability

A woman working on an academic project

Additional advantages 

Besides the characteristics that we already mentioned, here are other advantages:  

  • OSR (One Skill Retake): this option allows you to repeat one section of the exam, without retaking the full test.  In this way, you can attempt to obtain a better score and target your study on one skill.  

It also follows the same format that you know so you don’t need to worry about preparing for a different exam. You also get to choose which result suits you best, the original or the new one.  

  • Webinars where you can get tips on all four areas of the test from experts.  
  • IELTS Ready Member and Premium: both are free resources that include exercises, tutorials, advice, and mock tests. The first one is available for everyone, while the second one is exclusive for test takers who already booked the IELTS exam with the British Council, and it is also more complete. 

For example, it includes 40 mock tests; question and answer models; masterclasses to interact with exam experts; and practice exercises for listening, writing, speaking and reading.  

2. Duolingo English Test 

A relatively newer entrant, it is currently accepted by over 5,000 universities worldwide and 140 institutions in Canada due to its accessibility and remote testing capabilities, mainly after the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Characteristic Description
Length 1 hour
Scoring
  • Results go from 10 to 160.
  • If you get 120, it means that you are proficient in English, which would be the equivalent of 6.5 in IELTS Academic.
Sections
  • Comprehension: this section covers reading and listening. You will encounter different tasks, such as filling in the blanks, completing sentences, highlighting the right answer, typing the sentences that you hear, etc.
  • Writing: this section evaluates your skills through tasks such as responding to prompts and writing about a photo.
  • Speaking: you will be asked to talk about a photo, record yourself reading aloud, and respond to a series of spoken prompts.
Availability
  • Since this is an online test, you can take it from anywhere you are.

You should note that the time allocated for each section might vary since several abilities are assessed per section.  

Additional advantages 

  • You can also take practice tests to get familiar with the format and get an explanation and tips for each section, which are the resources available on the website.  
  • The exam is proctored remotely using a computer’s webcam and microphone, ensuring test security while maintaining the convenience of remote testing. 

Two students at a university

3. CAEL Assessment 

Developed by Paragon Testing Enterprises, it’s gaining popularity among Canadian institutions. It’s recognized by over 180 Canadian universities and colleges. 

Characteristic Description
Length 3.5 hours
Scoring
  • Scores range from 10 to 90.
  • Generally, you will be required to obtain 60 to demonstrate that you are proficient in an academic setting.
Sections
  • Speaking: 7 to 10 minutes, and two tasks.
  • Integrated reading:30 to 35 minutes; one or two short reading passages with 14 to 25 related questions; one speaking question based on a longer text.
  • Integrated listening: 25 to 35 minutes; one or two long and short listening passages with comprehension questions; and one speaking question.
  • Academic Unit A: 60 to 70 minutes; one long reading passage; one long listening passage; and one writing task.
  • Academic Unit B: 40 to 45 minutes; one long reading passage; one long listening passage; and one writing question.
Availability
  • You can take CAEL online or at a test centre.
  • There are test sittings available in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, and Ontario, among others.

Additional advantages 

  • Many academic institutions across Canada accept CAEL scores alongside other language proficiency exams like the IELTS Academic. 
  • You can find free preparation materials, such as webinars, videos, and sample tests, among others.  

Conclusions 

As you can see, each one of the English exams for Canada has its strengths. For example, regarding duration and length, IELTS is the intermediate point between the three of them, it is recognized in many Canadian organisations and institutions, and the sections and abilities that are assessed are clearly divided.  

You can also decide if it suits you best to take it on paper or computer. About preparation material, CAEL and IELTS are the ones that offer higher availability.  

What are you waiting to pursue your academic goals with the IELTS exam? 

Visit the IELTS Canada homepage to find out more

 

Related articles: 

How to improve your public speaking skills for the IELTS? 
3 additional advantages of taking the IELTS exam when living in Canada
Get to know the advantages of the IELTS preparation course

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