PTE or IELTS for a Canadian study permit: which should you take?

In India, PTE Academic is INR 18,900 and IELTS Academic INR 19,000 (Pearson, IDP India); in Pakistan PTE is USD 240 and IELTS PKR 75,600 to 76,240. PTE results typically arrive in two days; IELTS on computer in 1 to 5 days. Pearson's rules are the same in every country: free rescheduling while more than 14 full calendar days remain, a 100% refund if you cancel more than 14 days ahead, 50% between 14 and more than 7 days, and nothing at 7 days or fewer (Pearson); IDP India refunds an IELTS cancelled 15 or more days ahead minus up to 25%, and nothing within 14 days.

PTE is about two hours at a computer with AI scoring and no examiner; IELTS is 2 hours 45 minutes with a face-to-face Speaking test. On Pearson's concordance IELTS 6.5 sits at PTE 55–62 (Pearson), yet Toronto and UBC ask for PTE 65 alongside IELTS 6.5, so check each school's PTE figure instead of converting.

If you apply for a PGWP on or after 1 November 2024, IRCC needs CLB 7 after a university program or CLB 5 after a college program, on CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training, PTE Core, TEF Canada or TCF Canada (IRCC). Results must be under two years old when you apply (IRCC). So the Academic test you take for admission will not count; you will need a General Training or Core test near graduation. See IELTS for a PGWP.

Choose PTE Academic if every school on your list accepts it at a score you can reach, and you want results in about two days.

Choose IELTS Academic if any target program does not accept PTE (McGill graduate, Sheridan nursing), or if a school's PTE bar sits above the concordance, as at Toronto and UBC. Then plan the PGWP test separately, and compare IELTS General and PTE Core for it.