PTE Score for Canada 2026: PR, Study Visa and Masters

There is no single PTE score for Canada. For permanent residence through Express Entry, you need a PTE Core result. IRCC sets the minimum as a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level for each of the four skills. Canadian Experience Class needs CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs and CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3. Federal Skilled Worker needs CLB 7 in all four skills. For a study permit or a Canadian master's, you take PTE Academic, and the college or university sets the admission score. IRCC does not publish a PTE number for study. After graduation, the post-graduation work permit needs CLB 7 (university programmes) or CLB 5 (college programmes) in all four skills, and IRCC's conversion table for it lists PTE Core. The rules below come from IRCC on canada.ca and Pearson.

PTE score requirements for Canada at a glance

PTE Core to CLB conversion table

Use this table to convert each PTE Core skill score to a CLB level. The Express Entry rows (CLB 4 to 10) are on the IRCC language test page, and the PGWP language results page publishes the same ranges plus CLB 3.

Each skill has its own column, so convert all four and then compare. Express Entry needs the minimum in every skill, and the lowest one sets your level.

How to read your PTE score for Canada

Take a score of 65 in each skill. The same number can land in different CLB levels:

• Listening 65 is CLB 7, because 60-70 is CLB 7.
• Reading 65 is CLB 7, because 60-68 is CLB 7.
• Speaking 65 is CLB 6, because 59-67 is CLB 6.
• Writing 65 is CLB 6, because 60-68 is CLB 6.

If your programme needs CLB 7 in all four skills, this result falls short in speaking and writing. Work on those two skills first.

Your PTE Core score report gives an overall score and a skill score for each part. Use the skill scores for CLB conversion. Practice-test scores on this site are estimates and do not replace your official report.

PR through Express Entry: what you need

• Take PTE Core, not PTE Academic. IRCC accepts PTE Core for Express Entry programmes.
• Meet the CLB minimum in all four skills. A high overall score does not cover a weak skill.
• Keep the result valid. Canada.ca says the result must be less than 2 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and again when you submit your permanent residence application. If results expire before you can apply, IRCC will refuse the application. Test again or apply in time.
• Check your program. Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Worker use different minimums. Look at the program you plan to use before you book.

The 2-year limit above is set by IRCC for PR applications. Save a PDF copy of your score report as soon as it is ready, so you still have the figures if you need them later.

Post-graduation work permit: the one study-route number IRCC sets

If you plan to work in Canada after your course, this is the number that matters. For a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) applied for on or after 1 November 2024, IRCC requires proof of language skills at these minimums in all four skills:

IRCC's PGWP conversion table lists PTE Core, not PTE Academic, so confirm on canada.ca which PTE test IRCC accepts for your permit before you book. A flight-school graduate is exempt, and so is anyone who applied before 1 November 2024. These minimums are for the work permit, not for your admission, and a school can ask for more.

Study permit and masters admission: how the score is set

IRCC's study permit eligibility page does not give a language score, so a school's English requirement is the only PTE number for getting in. Pearson says PTE Academic is recognised by Canadian universities and colleges. Pearson's own statement does not replace each school's rule, so do these four steps:

1. Find the English requirement on the course page of each college or university.
2. Check whether it asks for PTE Academic, the overall score, or a minimum in each skill.
3. Check whether the score must be recent, and by when it must be received.
4. Book the test only after you confirm the requirement in writing or on the official admission page.

This applies to students after Class 12, to diploma and bachelor's routes, and to masters programmes. Each school sets a different number, so a figure from another school or agent does not apply to you. Aim at least for the PGWP level above if you want to stay and work after graduating. The Canada study permit PTE guide goes deeper on the student route.

PTE Core or PTE Academic for Canada?

• PTE Core is for permanent residence and citizenship applications to IRCC. Pearson says IRCC recognises it for all economic visa categories.
• PTE Academic is for study permits and university admission. Pearson lists it for Canadian institutions.

If you are applying for a study permit first and PR later, check both requirements before you book. The two tests are different products, and a PTE Academic result does not count as a PTE Core result. The PTE Core guide explains the format.

Text version of this diagram

• Is it a UK visa route that requires a Secure English Language Test (SELT)? Yes: take PTE Academic UKVI (GOV.UK lists it as an approved SELT; its report carries a SELT URN). No: next question.
• Is it Canada Express Entry? Yes: take PTE Core (IRCC says you must take the PTE Core option). No: next question.
• Is it an Australian visa application? Yes: take PTE Academic (listed by Australia's Department of Home Affairs). No: next step.
• Anything else: take the exact test your university or visa page names; Academic, UKVI and Core are different tests.

IELTS or PTE for Canada?

Both tests are accepted by IRCC for Express Entry, and both map to CLB levels. IELTS General Training is the version used for Express Entry. Read the PTE or IELTS for Canada guide, compare the formats on the PTE vs IELTS page, and use the PTE to IELTS converter only as a rough estimate. Choose the test where your skill scores will meet the CLB level you need.

Next steps

• Read which PTE test you need before you book.
• Compare PTE score ranges and the passing score for PTE.
• See countries that accept PTE and the Australia PTE score page if you are comparing destinations.
• Build speaking and writing practice with the speaking practice hub, write essay practice and PTE preparation guide.
• Track your practice estimates on the progress page and try a PTE mock test. These are estimates, not CLB results.

Frequently asked questions

What PTE score do I need for Canada?

There is no single PTE score for Canada. For Express Entry permanent residence, PTE Core results are converted to CLB levels, and the minimum depends on the programme. For a study permit or masters, PTE Academic is used, and the school sets the score.

Is PTE accepted in Canada?

Yes. IRCC accepts PTE Core for Express Entry. Pearson states that PTE Academic is recognised by Canadian universities and colleges, but check each institution.

Is PTE eligible for PR in Canada?

Yes, if you take PTE Core. PTE Academic does not count for Express Entry. Results must be less than 2 years old when you create your profile and when you apply.

Is 65 in PTE is 7?

It depends on the skill. A 65 is CLB 7 in listening and reading, and CLB 6 in speaking and writing, using the table above.

Is 72 a good score in PTE?

A 72 can be CLB 7 or CLB 8. It is CLB 8 for listening and reading, and CLB 7 for speaking and writing.

Is a 54 PTE score accepted in Canada?

A 54 in every skill meets the CLB 5 minimum for TEER 2 or 3 jobs, but not the CLB 7 minimum for Federal Skilled Worker or TEER 0 or 1 jobs.

Is 470 a good score for Canada PR?

470 is not a PTE score. It looks like a CRS total from Express Entry. PTE sets your language level, which adds points to your CRS.

Canada PR ke liye PTE mein kitna score chahiye?

For PR through Express Entry, you need a PTE Core result that meets the CLB minimum for your programme in all four skills. Use the table on this page to convert each skill.

What PTE score do I need for a post-graduation work permit in Canada?

CLB 7 in all four skills for a university programme and CLB 5 for a college programme, if you apply on or after 1 November 2024. See the PGWP table above for the PTE Core scores.

Canada study visa ke liye PTE score kitna chahiye?

IRCC does not set a PTE number for a study permit. Your college or university sets the score, so check its admission page.

Canada ke masters ke liye PTE score kitna chahiye?

Each university and programme sets its own English requirement. No official Canada-wide masters admission figure exists, but the work permit after a degree needs CLB 7.

Canada-r jonno PTE-te koto score lagbe after 12th?

After Class 12, the score is set by the college or university you apply to, not by IRCC. Ask the admissions team for the exact PTE Academic requirement.

What is the PTE visa success rate in Canada?

We did not find an official success rate, so this page does not give one. Your language result must meet the level for your program, and your other documents also matter.

Is PTE harder than IELTS for Canada?

Both tests are accepted for Express Entry, and both map to CLB levels. Which is easier depends on your skills and test format. Compare them on the PTE vs IELTS page.

Related reading

• PTE score for New Zealand
• PTE Core CLB score chart
• PTE result and score report
• PTE test centres in India