Alexander College placement scores
From Alexander College's English proficiency requirements page; the table applies to students admitted from the Summer Intensive 2025 term onward. The page groups ENGL 099 and ENGL 100 under direct entry to the University Transfer and Associate Degree programs, and ENGL 088 and 098 under English upgrading in the EAL program.
| Placement | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 100 | 6.0, Writing 6.0 | 80, Writing 19 (new scale 4.0) | 60, Writing 60 | 110, Literacy 105 |
| ENGL 099 | 5.0, Writing 5.0 | 71, Writing 17 (new scale 3.5) | 55, Writing 55 | 90, Literacy 90 |
| ENGL 098 | 4.5, Writing 4.5 | 46, Writing 12 (new scale 3.0) | 50, Writing 50 | 70, Literacy 80 |
| ENGL 088 | 4.0, Writing 4.0 | 22, Writing 6 (new scale 2.5) | 43, Writing 43 | 60, Literacy 60 |
Other ways to place
CAEL works the same way: 60 with Writing 60 for ENGL 100, down to 40 for ENGL 088. You can also place through Alexander College's own English Placement Test (89 to 100 points places you in ENGL 100), BC English 12 at 60% or higher, or by passing its ENGL 099 course with a C or better.
Alexander College's international students page treats an international English 12 grade as equal to BC English 12 only after the last three years of secondary school in a listed country where English is the first official language, such as Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland or the US. Most Indian, Pakistani and Nigerian applicants therefore place with a test score.
Free test: are you at Alexander College's score yet?
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill, so you know how far you are from the requirement before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
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Study permit and PGWP: separate rules
Alexander College's scores decide admission only. Immigration is a separate set of tests: for the study permit see IELTS for a Canada study permit, and for whether a Post-Graduation Work Permit applies after your program and which test and level it needs, see IELTS for the Canada PGWP.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Alexander College publishes an IELTS score, it is the minimum: the floor an application has to meet to be considered, not a score that guarantees an offer.
Competitive programmes, and courses with far more applicants than places, may expect more than the minimum, and some departments set their own overall or per-skill scores, often for writing or speaking. The course page has the final word, so check it before you book a test.
If you are close to the line, aim for a margin above it: one weak skill can miss the requirement even when the overall band clears it. Not sure where you stand? Take a free IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS does Alexander College need?+
IELTS Academic 6.0 with Writing 6.0 places you in ENGL 100. IELTS 5.0 with Writing 5.0 places you in ENGL 099, also under direct entry to university transfer programs.
Does Alexander College accept PTE?+
Yes. PTE Academic 60 with Writing 60 for ENGL 100, and 55 with Writing 55 for ENGL 099.
Does Alexander College accept Duolingo?+
Yes. Duolingo 110 with Literacy 105 for ENGL 100, and 90 with Literacy 90 for ENGL 099.
Is the IELTS Writing score important at Alexander College?+
Yes. Every placement needs the Writing band at or above the overall minimum, so 6.5 overall with 5.5 in Writing does not reach ENGL 100.
Does the Alexander College IELTS score count for the PGWP?+
No. The admission score is set by the school. The Post-Graduation Work Permit has its own language rules set by IRCC; our PGWP guide explains which tests and levels apply.
Keep reading
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Verified against the linked official sources on 14 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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