Indians applying for Canadian PR or Canadian citizenship now have a new English proficiency test option. Pearson has opened bookings for PTE Core, its latest English proficiency test. Approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) last year, PTE Core can now be used to demonstrate English proficiency for permanent economic immigration to Canada or Canadian citizenship, with testing starting February 12.

PTE Core, an addition to the Pearson Test of English portfolio, shares distinctive features with PTE Academic. This is a two-hour computer-based exam, taken at a testing center, assessing four key English skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing.

PTE Core is designed for professional test takers, providing real-world, non-academic guidance. Developed to meet Canada’s specific migration requirements and IRCC language proficiency standards, it can be used to assess English proficiency for professional purposes in any country.

“We are excited to roll out PTE Core to candidates in India and help them realize their dream of living and working in Canada. PTE Core is a new test from Pearson, designed to provide professional and real-world guidance to meet the Canadian government’s migration needs. This is an important milestone for Pearson, reinforcing our goal of becoming the global English language leader for engaged learners,” said Prabhul Ravindran, Director of English Learning at Pearson India.

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As Canada focuses on economic recovery and post-pandemic growth, IRCC is expanding its tiers plan to meet growing demand. The PTE Core approval is timely, providing new opportunities for candidates, especially in professions such as nursing, engineering and web development.

PTE Core meets Canada’s economic migration needs, complementing PTE Academic, accepted by IRCC since August 2023 for Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa applications. PTE Academic is already recognized by over 97% of universities and 95% of colleges in Canada, as well as the governments of the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. PTE Academic is also widely accepted by universities in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and 99% of UK universities. Delivered through Pearson VUE, the fully digital PTE Core test uses cutting-edge AI technology, reviewed by human raters, for scoring. Enhanced security measures, including the collection of biometric data, ensure a fair and accurate assessment of English language proficiency. Candidates can book PTE Core online up to 24 hours in advance, benefit from year-round testing slots worldwide, and receive results on average within two days. PTE Core will be introduced into Pearson’s global network, covering over 400 PTE centers. in 118 countries, including 25 testing centers in Canada.