Which exams are required to study in Canada?

The entrance exams that are required to study in Canadian universities are - the language test such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, the academic test like GRE, and GMAT, and the French proficiency tests like TEF and TEFAQ. Canada is a top choice for study abroad destination among the international students. Every year, around 485,000 international students migrate to study in the country. As per the report of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, around 1,028,650 students are studying in Canada. The country is a home to more than 8,000 universities including the 31 QS top-ranked institutes.
 

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Entrance exams required to study in Canada

The table below consists the list of test that are required to study in Canada and the minimum score that is required to pass:

Test	Exam Duration	Total Sections	Mode	Fees	Minimum Score to Pass
IELTS	2 hours 45 minutes	4 sections (Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening)	Paper-based and Computer-based	USD 189	6.5
TOEFL	3 hours 30 minutes	4 sections (Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening)	Computer-based and Paper-based	USD 195	Undergraduates: 79+ / Graduates: 80+
PTE	2 hours	4 sections (Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening)	Online	USD 160	65–75
CAEL	3 hours 30 minutes	4 sections (Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening)	Online	USD 280	70
CELPIP	3 hours (General)	4 sections (Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening)	Online	USD 126	70
DUOLINGO	1 hour	3 sections (Introduction, Adaptive Test, Writing & Speaking)	Online	USD 44	110/160

 

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Academic exams that are required to study in Canada

The table below has the list of the academic exams that are required to study in Canadian universities:

Name of the test	Exam duration	Total number of question	Fees	Minimum score required
GRE	3hours 30mins- 3hours 45mins	82-102	USD 213	300/340
GMAT	3 hours 7 minutes	80	USD 250	715/800
SAT	1 hours 30 minutes	98	USD 130	1050/1600

 

Top 5 universities in Canada and the scores required

 

The table below consists of top universities in Canada and the minimum score required to study there:

QS World University Ranking 2025	Name of the university	TOEFL	IELTS	PTE	CAEL	Duolingo
25	University of Toronto	100	6 - 6.5	-	70	120
29	McGill University	86 or above	6.5	60-65	70	-
38	University of British Columbia	90	6.0 - 6.5	60-65	70	125
97	University of Alberta	90	5.5- 6.5	59	70	115 -125
176	McMaster University	86	6.5	60	70	-

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