Canada has officially accepted 4 new language tests for SDS

The IRCC has announced the most awaited announcement about considering other Language exams besides IELTS for SDS Study Visa eligibility. Canada has officially announced that they will accept 4 new language tests for the Study Visa under Student Direct Stream ( SDS) starting 10 August 2023. The four exams, PTE, TOEFL, CELPIP, and CAEL, will be acceptable for SDS. 

PTE

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) measures the English language proficiency of students planning to study in a Canadian University or College or migrate. Students under the SDS category require a minimum PTE score of 60 to study in Canada. Paragon Testing Enterprises conduct the test. The cost of the test is INR 15,900. Only 35 PTE exam centers in 27 cities exist in India. Some are Amritsar, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Mohali, Patiala, Moga, Gurugram, Karnal, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, etc. The exam lasts 3 hours. The overall score range for the PTE exam is 10-90, where each module weighs 90. The scores are valid for two years after the exam date. Read more

TOEFL

Students who intend to enroll in a Canadian university or college can take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) to demonstrate their English language ability. To study in Canada, SDS students must have a TOEFL score of at least 83. Educational Testing Service administers the test. The test is INR 16,900 in price. In India, there are just 35 TOEFL testing locations. Some include Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bangalore, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, East Godavari, Gurgaon, Gwalior, Hyderabad, and Indore. The test takes two hours. The TOEFL test has a total score range of 0-120, with each module worth 30 points. The scores are valid for two years after the exam date. Read more

CELPIP

The CELPIP tests the English language proficiency of students who want to immigrate to Canada or who plan to study at a Canadian university or college. It is tested by Paragon Testing Enterprises. The test is INR 12,799 in price. In India, there are a total of 35 CELPIP testing centres. The test takes two hours. The overall CELPIP score range for this test is 12 Levels, with a weight of 12 Levels for each module. The scores are valid for two years after the exam date. To study in Canada, SDS students must have at least a CELPIP Level 7 overall and in each subject. Read more

CAEL

The Canadian Academic English Language test measures the English language proficiency of students planning to study in a Canadian University or College. Paragon Testing Enterprises conduct the test. The cost of the test is INR 12,799. Only three CAEL test centers exist in India: Chennai, Gurugram, and Chandigarh. The duration of the exam is 3.5 hours. The overall score range for this test is 10-90, where each module weighs 90. The CAEL scores are valid for 2 years after the exam date. Students under the SDS category require a minimum CAEL score of 60 to study in Canada. 

IELTS

In a big step, Canada has removed the minimum score requirement based on the module, and now you need a minimum of 6 bands overall to be eligible for Study Visa under the SDS program. For example, you will be eligible if you score 5.5 in one or two modules but have six bands overall. So this will help students who got 5.5 in one module but have 6.0 overall. 
 

What is SDS program ?

The student's visa application for Canada is generally submitted under two categories, SDS and Non-SDS, as international students get their results faster when they submit their application under the SDS category. Moreover, applicants have to show their valid language test results. 

You need to submit the other documents to IRCC. Here is the list

1. A GIC account with a minimum CAD 10,000 balance 
2. Proof of Letter of Admission to an approved DLI institution
3. Proof of payment of First-year Tuition Fees in full
4. Upfront Medical Examination by Authorized Panel Physician

Which country is eligible for SDS?

1. Antigua and Barbuda
2. Brazil
3. China
4. Colombia
5. Costa Rica
6. India
7. Morocco
8. Pakistan
9. Peru
10. Philippines
11. Senegal
12. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
13. Trinidad and Tobago
14. Vietnam

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