GrowSkills | PTE Essential, the new IRCC-approved general skills test, is set to launch late in 2023.

The new general English test, launching in 2023. Approved for Canadian migration.

The new Canada-approved test for work and migration

A new addition to our Pearson Test of English (PTE) suite of tests, PTE Essential is a 4-skills test that assesses your everyday – instead of your academic – English skills.

PTE Essential is ideal for people who wish to work, migrate, or seek permanent residency in Canada, and will be recognized by the Canadian Government (IRCC) for all economic visa categories.

The following organization administers the Pearson’s Test of English (PTE) Essential (anticipated to be accepted by IRCC as of late 2023):

IRCC approves Pearson Test of English for Canadian immigration applications

PTE will join IELTS and CELPIP as one of three English-language tests that economic class candidates will be able to use for their Canadian immigration applications.

Pearson Canada Inc.

IRCC has just announced it has approved the Pearson Test of English for Canadian immigration applications.

Beginning in “late 2023”, the Pearson Test of English (PTE) will join CELPIP and IELTS General Training as one of three designated language tests that economic class candidates will be able to complete to demonstrate their English language proficiency to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

PTE Essential is a new English language test that Pearson has created to meet IRCC’s language proficiency requirements for Canadian immigration applicants. IRCC has different language criteria for study permit applicants which means that international students generally need to take the “Academic” version of a language proficiency test.

The approval of PTE Essential means there are now five total language tests available to economic class immigration candidates—in addition to the three aforementioned English language tests, the TEF Canada and TCF Canada are the two French language tests designated by IRCC.

IRCC requires that economic class candidates complete language proficiency testing to demonstrate their ability to economically establish in Canada. Statistics Canada research shows strong proficiency in English and/or French language proficiency is a strong predictor of economic integration in Canada.

IRCC has not specified when applicants will be able to submit PTE Essential in support of their Canadian immigration applicants, however it has written on its website it anticipates it will be in a position to do so towards the end of 2023.

Canada offers over 100 different pathways for economic class immigrants. Under the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025, the leading admissions pathways are the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and Express Entry. Applicants for other economic class pathways such as IRCC pilot programs, the Atlantic Immigration Program, and Quebec skilled worker programs must also complete a language test designated by IRCC.

In addition to completing an IRCC designated language test, candidates must achieve the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score set for a given pathway. For example, under the popular Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), candidates must obtain a CLB of at least 7 in all four abilities (writing, reading, listening, and speaking). The minimum standard required for certain programs is a CLB 4.

GrowSkills For certain pathways, such as those managed via Express Entry and expression of interest systems operated by the provinces and territories, candidates receive more points the higher there CLB score is.

In 2022, CIC News obtained an internal IRCC memo confirming that the department had approved of a new language test for Canadian immigration purposes. The memo also outlined potential language testing reforms the department was exploring.

PTE Essential Test Format Structure

Simpler: a single computer-based test at a test center
Faster: Get scores within 2 business days
Fairer: automated scoring that reduces human bias

Common questions

1- Who is PTE Essential for?

When PTE Essential launches later in 2023, it will be recognized by the Canadian Government for work and migration visas. It will also be accepted for Canadian citizenship applications.

So if you need to apply for work or migration visa for Canada, then PTE Essential will be the right test for you.

2- I was planning to take PTE Academic – is it still the right test for me?

PTE Essential will not replace PTE Academic; it is a new test for general English skills (instead of academic English skills) and will initially be available only for work and migration visa routes to Canada.

You should choose PTE Academic if:

You plan to study in Canada or any other part of the world. PTE Academic continues to be accepted by all the same universities and professional institutions as before.
You plan to work in or migrate to Australia, New Zealand or the UK

You should choose PTE Essential* if:

You plan to work or to apply for permanent residency in Canada.

* Bookings for PTE Essential will open in late 2023 GrowSkills

3- Do I still need to take PTE Academic to study in Canada?

Yes. PTE Academic is still the only PTE test that is suitable for studying in Canada.

4- What is the difference between PTE Academic and PTE Essential?

The difference between the two tests is that PTE Essential focuses entirely on testing your English skills in everyday situations, rather than in academic settings.

For example, you may be asked to read a magazine article or write an email. You will not be asked to consider lecture materials or academic articles.

Otherwise, the two tests share many of the same features. Like PTE Academic, PTE Essential is a computer-based test taken at a test center, and it covers the four skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. It is marked through automated scoring, and will give you your score within two days.

5- Can PTE Essential be taken online / at home?

No. PTE Essential will only be available to take in PTE test centers.

6- When will PTE Essential be available to book?

You will be able to book a test later in 2023. We will announce the date closer to the time.

7- What PTE Essential score do I need?

The PTE Essential test will have a score range of between 10 and 90, with 90 being the maximum score. Test Takers will receive a personalized Score Report that shows the overall test score plus the score breakdown for each of the four English skills (Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking).

The score you will need for your visa will depend on the type of visa you apply for. This score requirement can be found on the Canadian Government website. Your application may require a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score. Pearson will publish guidance on how a PTE score relates to a CLB score. This information will be available once bookings open later in 2023.

8- How can I prepare for PTE Essential?

The most valuable way to prepare is to familiarize yourself with the test format.

We will provide a test handbook as well as videos and written instructions to guide you through each question type. We also plan to make other preparation materials available in the future.

9- Where can I take the PTE Essential test?

Once booking opens, PTE Essential will be available to take in PTE test centers in Canada and around the world.

Resources GrowSkills Pearson

- Designated language-testing organizations, Pearson GrowSkills

.