Which PTE do you need for Canada?
Take PTE Core for economic immigration — Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, and permanent residence. Take PTE Academic if you are applying to a university or college. PTE Core results are converted to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level for immigration.
PTE scores and CLB for Canada
- PTE Core is accepted by IRCC for Express Entry and PR — CLB 7 is the usual minimum, and CLB 9 maximises your CRS language points.
- Each CLB level maps to specific PTE Core scores through IRCC's official equivalency chart, so target a CLB level rather than a single number.
- For study, universities and colleges typically accept PTE Academic, commonly in the 58–65 range (varies by institution).
IRCC publishes the exact PTE Core to CLB conversion on canada.ca — confirm the current per-skill values there before you rely on a target, as they can be updated.
Frequently asked questions
Is PTE Core accepted for Canada Express Entry?
Yes. IRCC accepts PTE Core for Express Entry and permanent residence. Your scores are converted to a CLB level; CLB 7 is the common minimum and CLB 9 gives you the most language points.
Should I take PTE Core or PTE Academic for Canada?
Take PTE Core for immigration and PR, and PTE Academic if your goal is studying at a Canadian university or college.
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