Which Language Test Counts for Express Entry?

Which language test counts for Express Entry? The answer comes from one page of the Government of Canada, and it is short.

The page says you can take any of these approved tests. For English there are three. CELPIP General, IELTS General Training, and PTE Core.

For French there are two. TEF Canada, and TCF Canada.

Notice the exact versions. It has to be the General Training option of IELTS, not the Academic one.

One more detail from the same page. IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted for Express Entry.

And TOEFL? It is not on the list. So for Express Entry, it does not count.

Next, how old your result can be, and the levels you need.

Your results must be less than two years old. That applies when you complete your Express Entry profile, and again when you submit your application for permanent residence.

The minimum levels depend on the program. In the Canadian Experience Class, you need level seven for jobs in TEER zero or one, and level five for TEER two or three. In the Federal Skilled Worker Program, level seven in your first official language.

These minimums apply to all four abilities: listening, reading, writing and speaking.

Finally, what to do before you book.

So before you book, do three things. Pick one of the five approved tests. Make sure you book the right version. And check the date, so your result is still under two years old when you apply.

The page can change, so read it again before you apply. You can practise on examstep.ca.