Exams to Study in Canada for International Students

What is the first destination that comes to your mind when you want to study abroad on an affordable budget? Canada is probably the first country that comes to your mind.

Canada is one of the best study-abroad destinations and home to various top-notch universities in the world. Every year the country welcomes around 500,000 international students from different parts of the world. The quality of education that you receive while studying in Canada will definitely exceed the cost spent on it.

Are you also planning to start your study abroad journey to Canada? If yes, let us make you aware of the fact that while applying to Canadian universities, international students are required to fulfill eligibility criteria by appearing for certain exams. Now you must be wondering which exams are required to study in Canada and why they are required.

So, here we have curated the list of some of the common exams to study in Canada for international students.

Since we all know that Canada is an English-speaking country and most of the courses are taught in English, the universities there require English proficiency test scores, especially if the primary language of your home country is not English. Below are some of the commonly accepted English proficiency tests.

IELTS stands for the International English Language Testing System. It is an internationally recognized and widely accepted English proficiency test designed to assess the language proficiency of students who wish to study abroad or migrate to countries where English is the primary language of communication. Almost all Canadian universities accept IELTS as proof of the English proficiency skill of an international student.

There are two types of IELTS tests: IELTS Academic and IELTS General. The Academic version is more suitable for those seeking higher education at universities abroad. Basically, the test evaluates four language skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The test scores are reported on a nine-band scale, from band 1 (non-user) being the lowest score to band 9 (expert) being the highest score.

Minimum requirement for Bachelors- The minimum overall IELTS score required to study in Canada for Bachelor’s degree is 6 overall with no band less than 6. Rest it varies from university to university and course to course.

Minimum requirement for Masters- The minimum overall score required in IELTS to study Master's in Canada is 6.5 overall with no band less than 6. Rest varies from university to university and course to course.

TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. It is an English proficiency test that is recognised by many universities abroad, including Canada. The test measures the ability of individuals to understand and use English in academic settings. TOEFL is commonly used by universities, colleges, and other educational institutions in English-speaking countries as an admission requirement for international students.

Like IELTS, TOEFL also evaluates four skills of a student: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. It consists of multiple-choice questions, integrated tasks, and independent tasks that assess individual language abilities. Also, students have an option to either opt for computer-based tests or pen paper-based tests. TOEFL scores range on a scale of 0 to 120, with each section scored out of 30 points. Test takers receive individual scores for each section as well as a total score, which represents their overall English language proficiency.

Minimum requirement for Bachelors- The minimum overall score required in TOEFL to study Bachelors in Canada is 80. Rest it varies from university to university and course to course.

Minimum requirement for Masters- The minimum overall score required in TOEFL to study Master's in Canada is 90. Rest varies from university to university and course to course.

PTE stands for Pearson Test of English. It is an English language proficiency test that assesses the English language skills of non-native speakers in the areas of Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. It is commonly used for study abroad applications and visa purposes.

The test is conducted entirely on a computer. The PTE test paper includes various types of questions, including multiple-choice, fill in the blanks, and essay writing. The PTE test scores range on a scale from 10 to 90, with 10 being the lowest and 90 being the highest. Each section is also scored individually.

Minimum requirement for Bachelors- The minimum overall score required in PTE to study Bachelors in Canada is 60. Rest it varies from university to university and course to course.

Minimum requirement for Masters- The minimum overall score required in PTE to study Master's in Canada is 60. Rest varies from university to university and course to course.

CAEL stands for Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment. It is a proficiency test designed to evaluate the English language skills of individuals who are seeking admission to Canadian colleges and universities. The CAEL Assessment measures proficiency in four language skills: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.

It assesses a test taker's ability to understand academic English and communicate effectively in an academic setting. The test consists of multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, and essay-writing tasks. It is administered in a computer-based format. CAEL scores are reported on a scale from 10 to 90, with individual scores provided for each section.

Minimum requirement for Bachelors- The minimum overall score required in CAEL to study Bachelors in Canada is 70. Rest it varies from university to university and course to course.

Minimum requirement for Masters- The minimum overall score required in CAEL to study Master's in Canada is 70. Rest varies from university to university and course to course.

Since French is another primary language used in Canada, international students can also enrol in Canadian universities after giving French proficiency tests. Here are some French proficiency tests which are accepted by Canadian universities.

The TEF (Test d'Évaluation de Français) is an internationally recognized French proficiency test. It is commonly used for non-native speakers of French who wish to study in French-speaking countries, like Canada. The test is administered by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Paris (Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Paris) and is recognized by many educational institutions in Canada.

The TEFAQ (Test d'Évaluation de Français pour l'Accès au Québec) is a French language proficiency test specifically designed for students who wish to immigrate to the province of Quebec in Canada. It is administered by the Chambre de Commerce et d'industrie de Paris Île-de-France (CCIP-IDF) and is recognized by the Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Francization, and Integration (MIFI).

Apart from proficiency tests, universities may also require scores of other exams to scrutinise international students’ applications on common ground. These test also allows universities to asses the student’s prior knowledge an

The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardized test widely used for college admissions of abroad universities. The test is designed to assess a student's readiness for college-level academics. It also provides standardized measures to colleges and universities for detecting students’ abilities. The SAT consists of three main sections: Reading, Writing and Language, and Math. It is scored on a scale of 400 to 1600, with separate scores for each section. The minimum score required in SAT to study in Canada is 500.

The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is a standardized test commonly used as an admissions requirement for graduate schools and business programs in various countries, including Canada. It is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The GRE aims to measure a student's readiness and potential for advanced study in various fields of business-related programs. It assesses verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills.

The GRE General Test is scored on a scale of 130 to 170 for the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections in one-point increments. The Analytical Writing section is scored on a scale of 0 to 6, in half-point increments. Many graduate schools and business programs use GRE scores as part of their admissions process, along with other criteria. The minimum GRE score required for Canadian universities 300.

The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a computer-based test required to enrol for business management programmes in universities abroad. It is a multiple-choice-based exam that the GMAC develops. The GMAT is widely accepted by business schools around the world as part of their admissions process. It facilitates the business schools to select the applicants by testing them on common measures.

The GMAT test includes four components: analytical writing assessment, integrated reasoning, quantitative, and verbal reasoning. The test is administered in a computer-adaptive format, meaning that the difficulty level of the questions adjusts based on the test-taker's performance. The final score is reported on a scale of 200 to 800, with separate scores provided for each section. The minimum GMAT score required for Canadian universities is 500. Although the students can appear for the GMAT without work experience, top business schools in Canada look for a minimum of 2 years of work experience along with a GMAT score.

The MCAT, which stands for Medical College Admission Test, is a standardized exam used in Canada to assess the knowledge and skills necessary for admission to medical school. It is administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). The MCAT is a computer-based test that evaluates a wide range of subjects, including biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and sociology.

The exam is designed to assess critical thinking, problem-solving, scientific knowledge, and reasoning skills that are important for success in medical school. Medical schools in Canada typically require applicants to submit MCAT scores as part of the admissions process. A higher MCAT score can improve an applicant's chances of getting accepted into medical school, although it is just one of several factors considered by admissions committees.

If you are planning to start your study abroad journey to Canada, we encourage you to have a word with our team of expert counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). If you are unable to travel to our offices, we offer online counselling services via our website. Our dedicated counsellors will provide you with the best guidance regarding your application to study in Canada. Don’t hesitate to contact us at application02@meridean.org or call us at 1800-1230-00011.