CELPIP vs. IELTS vs. PTE: Which one should you take in 2023?

If you want to apply for Canada PR, Australia PR, or PR for other first-world countries, but English isn’t your native language, you will likely need to demonstrate your language proficiency to get your visa approved.

But with so many English proficiency exams out there, which one should you take? The answer usually depends on which country you are planning to immigrate to. It may look confusing at first, but don’t worry. In this article, we’ll compare three of the most widely-accepted English proficiency exam in the world:

• CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program)
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
• PTE (Pearson Test of English)

There are two versions of the exams you can choose from, Academic and General training. Where the Academic training is required if you plan on studying, the General training is required for purposes related to career, employment, and immigration. In this article, we’ll be going through everything there is to know about General Language Proficiency exams.?

Once you’ve gone through this article, you’ll know exactly which exam to choose – and overcome your dreams of successfully immigrating to a new country.?

Let’s dive in.?

CELPIP vs. IELTS vs. PTE in 2023

1.Exam Structure

CELPIP

The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) exam is structured in four parts:

• Listening: (60 minutes) - The listening section consists of six recordings with 38 questions in total. You will listen to recordings on problem-solving, daily life conversations, news items, and discussions.
• Reading: (60 minutes) - The reading section consists of four parts with 38 questions in total. You will be asked to read for correspondence, to apply a diagram, for information, and for viewpoints.
• Speaking: (15 minutes) - The speaking section consists of eight parts - each fulfilling a specific function and including topics such as giving advice, describing a scene, expressing opinions, and personal experiences. It is conducted through an oral interview by an examiner.
• Writing: (60 minutes) - The writing section consists of two tasks, where in the first – you will be asked to write an email and in the second task, you will be asked to write in response to survey questions

IELTS

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam is structured in four parts:?

• Listening: (30 minutes) - The listening section consists of four recordings with 10 questions each (40 in total) with two being conversation based and the other two monologue.?
• Reading: (60 minutes) – The reading section consists of 40 questions that include extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, and notices.?
• Speaking: (15 minutes): The speaking section consists of three parts - each fulfilling a specific function and including topics such as home, family, work, studies, and interests. It is conducted through an oral interview by an examiner.?
• Writing: (60 minutes): The writing section consists of two tasks, where in the first – you will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter, explaining the situation. The second task will ask you to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem.?

PTE

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) exam is structured in two parts comprising spoken and written tests. Each part denotes the English proficiency in domains including listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills of the test-taker. There are six levels in total: Foundation Level, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, and Level 5. Depending on the level, the exam duration can range anywhere between 75 minutes and 180 minutes.

• Speaking: The speaking section has 3 parts with 2 questions and answers and 1 short talk.?
• Writing: The writing section has 40 reading, listening, and writing items.

2. Minimum score for PR

The minimum score requirement depends on the country you are planning to apply for permanent residency. Generally for,?

CELPIP: A score of 5 or higher in each component (listening, reading, speaking, and writing) is required for the CELPIP General test for Permanent Residency.

IELTS: A score of 6 or higher in each component (listening, reading, speaking, and writing) is required for the IELTS General test for Permanent Residency.

PTE: A score of 50 or higher in each component (listening, reading, speaking, and writing) is required for the IELTS General test for Permanent Residency.

3. Acceptance in Countries

CELPIP: CELPIP is exclusively accepted in Canada for study, work, and permanent residency.?

IELTS: IELTS is accepted across 140 countries for study, work, and permanent residency.

PTE: PTE is accepted across 74 countries for study, work, and permanent residency.?

4. Costs Involved

The costs involved depend on the country you are planning to apply for permanent residency. Generally for,?

CELPIP: $185 - $200

IELTS: $215 –$310

PTE: $170 - $190

CELPIP vs. IELTS vs. PTE: Which one to take in 2023?

If you’ve made it this far, you know that the CELPIP, IELTS, and PTE exams are similar in structure, prices, and availability.

Your choice might be limited by the country where you want to apply for PR. While a majority of the countries accept the IELTS and PTE exams, CELPIP is only limited to when you apply for Canada PR – or a study visa.?

You should also try free online materials and see if one exam seems easier than the others. This is an easy way to make up your mind.

Overall, it doesn’t matter if you choose CELPIP, IELTS, or PTE exam – they’re all great.?As far as the difficulty is considered, work hard and prepare yourself, you can ace any English proficiency test and start your immigration process on the right foot.

All the best!