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The IRCC has introduced a  new language test for Canada Immigration for those applying through the economic class. The new test will come into effect from the middle of 2023 as per Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

The IRCC has planned to look for improvements in the language test and also published a memo. Currently, designated tests are meeting the demands of immigration. Still, with the rise in demand and citizens across the globe, it was considered a good move to introduce one more test for relocation to Canada. Pearson English Test (PTE) is now a viable English test for immigration and, by the end of the year, will be accepted as a legitimate English language test for Canadian immigration.

What is the Pearson language test  (PTE) Test?

It is the Pearson language test for the non-speakers of the English language where the applicant is assessed as per the English skills in four sections – reading, writing, listening, and speaking.    Anyone who is over 16 years of age can appear in this test. The standard cost of a PTE Academic exam is Rs. 14,700, and the applicant should book the test at least 48 hours in advance. At present, a lot of countries are accepting PTE as the benchmark for English Language knowledge, such as Australia, the USA, the UK, Ireland, Singapore, and New Zealand. Now, the new country on the list is Canada. 

To ensure that all the included tests for Canadian immigration are on the same scale of difficulty and assessment. There are discussions of the CLB level that will estimate the adeptness of the immigrant.  

What is Canadian Language Benchmark ( CLB)?

The Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de competency linguistique canadiens (NCLC) levels are the benchmark or threshold scores that will help assess the English language abilities of the applicant. It ranged from 4 to 10, where 4 is given to the applicant who performs poorly, and the CLB 10 is given to somebody with an excellent score. In some of the Canadian immigration programs, the ideal selection CLB score is clearly mentioned in the eligibility requirements. The minimum score requirement for all the programs is not the same, and the applicant will have to score as per the requirements of the program through which he / she is applying.  

What is the language test that is part of the Canadian immigration evaluation?

The two tests which are currently recognized for the English language assessment in Canada are - The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) . Now, to enhance the competency standard, the IRCC has introduced the Pearson English Test (PTE), a new English test. It will be approved by mid-2023 and come into acceptance by the end of the year. 

For the French language, there are different test - Test d'évaluation de Français. the outcomes for all these tests are equally valued by the IRCC. If the applicant is proficient in both the languages, then he will have an added advantage and will get a higher score on the language test there by increasing the CRS point score. 

The result of any test taken is valid for two years, after which the applicant will have to reappear for the test and enter the pool with the new score. 

At present, the most popular test for Canadian immigration is the IELTS test. There are different examination centers for the test, and it is divided into two categories –  General English test and Academic English test. Similar to this, the CELPIP test also has two categories - General Test and the General LS Test.

Canada's government is taking all the necessary steps to make the immigration process much easier and more assessable to the applicants. However, before appearing for a language test, it is best to take the help of a mentor, even if you are adept and skilled in the language. An awareness of the test format beforehand and basic preparation under guidance will help you get a good test score. Thereby increasing the chances of your selection by availing additional points in the CRS score calculation.