Entrance Exams for Studying in Canada – GRE, GMAT, SAT, IELTS, TOEFL

Akhilesh Kumar December 21, 2020 117 0

To study in Canada or abroad, students need to demonstrate their language efficiency and aptitude to take admission in the desired institution. Canada is a bilingual country with two languages, English and French. The language may change depending upon the area.

Quebec, New Brunswick and Ontario provinces speak French language. Students interested in the admission in the mentioned areas must be proficient in French.

Apart from that, exams such as GRE and GMAT are also a requirement for admission in the major universities of Canada.

Before, one makes a choice of a university, it is better to know about the international exams which must be accepted before filling the application forms of the universities.

The exams depend upon the countries and universities. There are situations when students could be exempted from the exam.

English Language Test in Canada- IELTS, PTE, TOEFL

English Language Proficiency tests are organized for the students aspiring to get admission in English speaking countries when their first language is not English.

There are few exams listed which are well-known for the ELP purpose: –

TOEFL
IELTS
PTE
CAEL
MELAB
CELPIP (For Canada)

Among these, TOEFL, IELTS and PTE are the most preferred exams for English proficiency around the world.

IELTS is considered to be the most well-known English language proficiency exam at undergraduate and graduate level.

Students who have completed their high school education from the following places are exempted from TOEFL, IELTS and PTE.

Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
BermudaBotswana
British Virgin Islands
Canada: All provinces except Quebec
Cayman Islands
Dominica
Fiji
Gambia
Ghana
Grenada
Guyana
Ireland
Jamaica
Kenya
Kiribati
Liberia
Marshal Islands
Mauritius
Micronesia
New Zealand
Nigeria
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Sierra Leone
Solomon Islands
South Africa
Tanzania
Trinidad & Tobago
Uganda
United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales)
USA
Zambia
Zimbabwe

TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language

TOEFL measures the ability of a non-native English speaker to communicate in English language.

TOEFL is apt for the people who are seeking student visa for admission into universities of Canada.
It tests the examinee on the basis of reading, listening, writing and speaking categories.
TOEFL score is accepted in more than 10,000 institutions around the world.
It is not accepted by Canada in case, the person is seeking immigration. Only IELTS or CELPIP are the tests valid for that process.
The score must be less than two years from the first day of the class.

TOEFL Fee – US $170

Minimum score required to pass TOEFL (iBT)

Undergraduates – 79 and above
Graduates – 80 and above

Minimum TOEFL score requirement for top universities of Canada

University	Minimum TOEFL Score (iBT)
University of Toronto	100
University of British Columbia	90
McGill University	90 – 100
University of Alberta	90
McMaster University	86

Though TOEFL is a well-recognized exam for English language proficiency but still, IELTS is preferred by considerable number of Canadian Universities.

Exemptions

If the students achieve the score of minimum 35 in SAT reading test, they are exempted from taking TOEFL and they do not need to request a TOEFL waiver. TOEFL will automatically be waived off when the application reaches the university.
Student who scores more than 670 in the critical reading section for OLDSAT exam or Reading Test score more than 35.
Exemption may also be provided to the students who have studied for at least 4 years from an institution where English is the official language.

Extended Testing Time for disabled

50% more time for exam
100% double time for documentation breakdown

IELTS – International English Language Testing System

IELTS is organized to assess the English language proficiency of a candidate who is looking forward to go to a place where English language is used for communication. IELTS score is required for entry to Canada or other countries.

It is accepted by around 350 institutions in Canada.

Fact: IELTS was the first exam recognized by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Quebec for English language proficiency for Express Entry of skilled immigrants.

There are two types of IELTS exam:

IELTS General Test – For people who want to work or live in Canada
IELTS Academic Test – For students who want to study in Canada

One, who is planning to study in Canada must give the latter.

IELTS Fee – US $309

IELTS Academic Test

Most universities in Canada believe in IELTS rather than TOEFL. Institutions accepting IELTS are more as compared to institutions requiring TOEFL.

IELTS is more preferred exam worldwide when compared to TOEFL.

Average score required for IELTS in different Canadian Universities – 6.5 with each component not less than 6.0.

Minimum IELTS score required in top universities of Canada

University	Minimum
University of Toronto	7 with each component not less than 6.5
University of British Columbia	6.5 with each component not less than 6.0
McGill University	6.5 with each component not less than 6.0
University of Alberta	7.0 with each component not less than 6.0
McMaster University	6.5 overall

Exemptions

If the student resides in English-speaking nation for at least 4 years is exempted from IELTS
Exemption may also be given to the students who have been attending the English -speaking educational institution as Non-ESL program for at least 3 years.
Students with first language being English and have a passport of Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, UK and USA.

PTE – Pearson Test of English

There are two types of exams for PTE: –

PTE Academic
PTE General

PTE Academic

It is a computer-based exam aimed for non-native English population who wants to take admission abroad. It is a multi-level test. One advantage of PTE is that its results are revealed within 5 days from the date of test.

PTE is conducted throughout the year at its designated centers across the globe.

More than 200 colleges which includes, MBA, MS and B.Tech consider PTE as a famous English proficiency test.

PTE Fee – Between $150 and $210

Canadian Universities accepting PTE score

Acadia University
Alexander College
Algoma University
Algonquin College
Ascenda School Of Management
Assiniboine Community College
Bth Education Group
Bishop’s University
Brandon University
British Columbia Institute Of Technology (Bcit)
Brock University
Canadian Aesthetic Academy
Canadian Beauty College
Canadian Mennonite University
Canadore College
Cape Breton University
Capilano University
Carleton University
Centennial College
College Of The Rockies
Concordia University, College Of Alberta
Concordia University, Quebec
Conestoga College
Confederation College
Coquitlam College
Dalhousie University
Douglas College
Durham College Of Applied Arts And Technology
Emily Carr University Of Art And Design
Fairleigh Dickinson University (Vancouver)
Fanshawe College
Fleming College
Georgian College
Hillfield Strathallan College
Humber Institute Of Technology And Advanced Learning
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Lambton College
Langara College
Laurentian University
London School Of Business And Finance, Toronto
Macewan University
Marine Institute Of Memorial University
Mcgill University
Mcmaster University
Medicine Hat College
Memorial University Of Newfoundland
Mohawk College
Mount Allison University
Mount Royal University
New Brunswick Community College
Niagara College
Nipissing University
Northern Alberta Institute Of Technology
Northern College
Nova Scotia Community College
Olds College
Providence College
Providence Seminary
Pures College Of Technology
Queen’s University
Royal Roads University
Ryerson University
Sait Polytechnic
Saint Mary’s University
Sault College
Seneca College
Sheridan College
Simon Fraser University
Sprott-Shaw Community College
St Francis Xavier University
St Thomas More College
St. Peters College
The King’s University College
Thompson Rivers University
Trent University
University Canada West
University Of Alberta
University Of British Columbia
University Of Calgary
University Of Guelph
University Of Lethbridge
University Of Manitoba
University Of Ontario Institute Of Technology (Uoit)
University Of Ottawa
University Of Prince Edward Island
University Of Regina
University Of Saskatchewan
University Of Victoria
University Of Waterloo
University Of Windsor
University Of Winnipeg
University Of The Fraser Valley
Vancouver Island University
Western University
Wilfrid Laurier University
York University

Exemptions

International students who complete minimum of 3 years of studies from any academic institution where English is the official language are exempted from the test.

French Language Proficiency Test

Test d’Évaluation de Français pour le Canada (TEF) is a test of French language to measure the proficiency of the examinee in spoken and written French language.

There are two types of French exams:

TEF
TEFAQ

One is suggested to write TEF instead of TEFAQ as TEF is acceptable for Quebec and federal immigration while TEFAQ is acceptable only for Quebec immigration.

TEF Fees

TEF Canada
4 modules Listening, Speaking, Writing and Reading	2 modules Listening and Speaking	Listening	Reading	Speaking	Writing
$460	$230	$90	$115	$140	$115

Aptitude Based Exams

Apart from language proficiency tests, one is also tested upon the critical and analytical skills. Exams such as GRE, GMAT and MCAT judges the examinee on the mentioned basis.

GRE General Test

GRE is accepted by numerous Canadian Universities for graduate admissions for international students. Around 1,000 exam centers are present over 160 countries.

GRE also holds GRE Subject Tests in the fields of: –

Mathematics
English Literature
Biology
Chemistry
Psychology
Physics

Subject tests are organized for the students who have undergraduate major or background of one of the above mentioned subjects.

Canadian Institutions which do not require GRE Score

Smaller institutions in Canada exempt the students from GRE test. Mentioned are those institutions: –

Brock University
Carleton University
Concordia University
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Lakehead University
Laurentian University
Laval University
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Royal Roads University
Trent University
University of Lethbridge
University of Manitoba
University of New Brunswick
University of Northern British Columbia
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
University of Prince Edward Island
University of Regina
University of the Fraser Valley
University of Winnipeg

Apart from these, major universities such as McGill, University of Alberta or University of Toronto require GRE score for admission.

Programs which require GRE/equivalent for all applicants

Accounting
Counselling Psychology
Craniofacial Science
Finance
Library, Archival and Information Studies
Management Information System
Management Science
Marketing
Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
Organizational Behavior
Population and Public Health
Psychology
School Psychology
Strategy and Business Economics
Transportation and Logistics

Programs which do not require GRE

Master of Fine Arts Programs
Executive Programs
Online Master’s Program

MBA Institutions in Canada that accept GRE scores

GMAT is not necessary for MBA aspirants. Instead, GRE is the preferred test for technical and non-technical courses around the world.

Mentioned are the universities that accepts GRE for business education.

Brock University
Cape Breton University (Community Economic Development)
Carleton University
Concordia University
Dalhousie University (MBA in Financial Services)
HEC Montreal
Ivey Business School Toronto
Lakehead University
McGill University
McMaster University
Queens University School of Business
St. Mary’s University
Thompson Rivers University
University of Alberta
University of British Columbia
University of Calgary
University of New Brunswick – Fredericton
University of Quebec at Rimouski
University Canada West
University of Manitoba
University of New Brunswick — Saint John
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
University of Ottawa
University of Toronto
University of Victoria
University of Western Ontario
Wilfrid Laurier University
York University

Fees for GRE Exam

Country	Fees (U.S. Dollars)
Australia	$230
China	$231.30
Nigeria	$220
Turkey	$255
Other Areas	$205

Score – Examinees must achieve at least 1100 together in verbal and quantitative sections. A minimum score of 3.5/6.0 in analytical writing section is also required.

Exemptions

Unlike top ranked public institutions in Canada, other institutions in Canada may waive off GRE.

GMAT – Graduate Management Aptitude Test

If students are taking GMAT, they are serious about the business school admissions. GMAT lets you identify

Commitment and motivation to succeed in a business school
Ability for critical thinking and reasoning skills
Open worldwide opportunity and earnings

Facts

Sometimes GMAT is also known as GMAT CAT. CAT is an acronym of Computer Adaptive Test. It means the test adapts to the examinee’s ability.

GRE general test is almost replaceable with GMAT. Canada accepts GRE scores for business schools too.

Unlike GRE, GMAT does not require high efficiency English from the aspirant. The exam judge’s the candidate on the basis of verbal, mathematical and analytical criteria.

GMAT prefers analytic thinking. GRE judge’s the student on the basis of knowledge base while GMAT as earlier considers the student on the basis of analytical thinking.

Therefore, GMAT CAT is considered to be a hard test.

Limitation: GMAT is only meant for management students while GRE has a broad base with maximum technical and non-technical tests.

GMAT Fee – $250 globally

Average score required for GMAT in most institutions of Canada- 550

Popular MBA programs requiring GMAT

Rotman School of Management (U of T)
Ivey Business School ( Western University)
Queen’s School of Business (Queen’s University)
HEC Montreal
Saudar School of Business (University of British Columbia)
DeGroote School of Business (McMaster University)
John Molson School of Business (Concordia University)
Ted Rogers School of Management (Ryerson University)
Telfer School of Management (University of Ottawa)
Sprott School of Business (Carlton University)
Sobey School of Business (Saint Mary’s University)
Alberta School of Business (University of Alberta)
Haskayne School of Business (University of Calgary)
Lazaridis School of Business and Economics (Wilfrid Laurier University)
Beedie School of Business (Simon Fraser University)

Exemptions

GMAT is required by the institutions offering business courses. In different situations, the students could be exempted with GMAT.

Mentioned are few well-known Canadian Universities for MBA without GMAT.

Ivey Business School
DeGroote School of Business
Rotman School of Management – University of Toronto
Schulich School of Business – York University

One may find admission in Canadian Universities. It is important to note that academic scores may not be as important as the international exams to test one’s language and intelligence.

MCAT – Medical College Admission Test

It is a standardized test which assess the critical and analytical thinking, natural behavior and social science concept of the students for the study of medicine.

Many Canadian schools require MCAT score for admission. Most of the schools do not accept the score which are more than three years old.

This computer based test judges physical and biological sciences and verbal reasoning skills.

MCAT Fee – $315 globally

A good MCAT Score

Each section of MCAT is scored between 118 and 132 which has 125 as the median. Similarly, the overall score ranges from 472 to 528 which has 500 as the median.

Expected score on percentiles basis

Percentile	Scaled MCAT Score
Top 10%	514 to 528
Top 25%	508 to 513
Top 50%	500 to 507
Below 50%	499 or below

Popular Medical Schools accepting MCAT score

University of Alberta
University of British Columbia
University of Manitoba
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Dalhousie University
Mcmaster University
Northern Ontario School of Medicine
Queen’s University
University of Western Ontario
University of Ottawa
University of Toronto
McGill University
University of Calgary
University of Saskatchewan
Laval University
University of Montreal
University of Sherbrooke

Exams like TOEFL, IELTS, PTE and more reveals the level of proficiency of a student for the given language.

Similarly, exams like GRE and GMAT check one’s intelligence through an aptitude test which comprises of sections such as critical and analytical thinking.

Selective students have an edge over others and are exempted from the required examination and get direct admission. Canada has a pool of world ranked universities and colleges along with a pool of international students.

It will never be difficult for foreign students to get admission in Canadian Universities if they are through with the language and aptitude.