PTE vs CELPIP: how PTE Core and CELPIP-General compare for Canada
CELPIP-General and PTE Core are both on the immigration department's list of approved English tests for Canada, so the choice is about format, marking and what you can book. CELPIP-General is a test of about 3 hours in one sitting; Paragon's pages give it as under 2 hours 50 minutes, 2 hours 50 minutes, under 3 hours or about 3 hours. Pearson describes PTE Core as a single 2-hour test. CELPIP has no pass or fail, and PTE Core is scored from 10 to 90. Either way, you need the CLB level your application asks for.
People compare PTE and CELPIP because both can prove English for Canadian permanent residence. This page puts the two companies' own statements next to each other, shows where they disagree with themselves, and gives our reading of how to choose. It is not immigration advice, and the immigration department's page for your programme decides which test and scores you need.
Both tests are approved for Canada
The government list names both, with a condition on each.
Canada's immigration department publishes the list of language tests it accepts for Express Entry. Two of the English tests on it are CELPIP and PTE Core. The department does not accept just any version of a test: it names the one you must take.
"CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program You must take the CELPIP-General test."
"PTE Core: Pearson Test of English You must take the PTE Core option."
| Purpose | CELPIP says | Pearson says (PTE Core) |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent residence | The CELPIP - General test is the IRCC approved test for Permanent Residence applications | PTE Core is a general English test that is recognized by the Canadian Government for all economic immigration applications. |
| Citizenship | The CELPIP - LS test is the IRCC approved test for Canadian citizenship applications | It is appropriate for anyone who needs to apply for permanent residency or citizenship. |
Read the second row with care. For citizenship, Paragon points to its shorter LS test, which has Listening and Speaking only, while Pearson says PTE Core is appropriate for citizenship as well. Which one your own application needs is for the immigration office to say, so check its page for your programme. Our English tests accepted by IRCC page keeps the longer list.
The two tests side by side
Each cell is the company's own wording, and we say where its pages disagree.
Paragon runs CELPIP and Pearson runs PTE. The table gives their wording on the points that people compare most. Where the two companies describe the same thing differently, we leave both sentences in and add our reading underneath.
| Topic | CELPIP-General (Paragon) | PTE Core (Pearson) |
|---|---|---|
| Total time | CELPIP - General total test time is under 3 hours and is done in one sitting, according to one Paragon page; others say 2 hours 50 minutes or about 3 hours | A single, 2-hour test with results typically in 48 hours |
| Writing and speaking in numbers | Writing: 2 questions · 53 minutes Speaking: 8 tasks · 15 minutes | Part 1: Speaking & Writing This section will test your speaking and writing skills in around 50 minutes |
| Reading and listening in numbers | Listening: 38 questions · 46–55 minutes Reading: 38 questions · 43–56 minutes | Part 2: Reading This section will test your reading skills in around 30 minutes. Part 3: Listening This section will test your listening skills in around 30 minutes. |
| Where you sit it | The CELPIP Test is fully computer delivered. However, the test must be completed in person at one of our test centres. | No. PTE Core is only be available to take in PTE test centers. |
| What the content is like | Easy-to-understand English and vocabulary taken from everyday situations | PTE Core focuses on everyday situations. For example, in PTE Core you may be asked to read a magazine article or write an email. |
| Pass mark | Each component of the test is given a CELPIP Level and there is no pass or fail. | The PTE Core test is scored on a scale of 10 to 90, with 90 being the maximum score. |
| The overall score | The ‘Average Score’ on your CELPIP score report does not equate to a CLB level, and is simply an average of the four CELPIP components. | the IRCC only requires individual skill scores: your overall PTE score will not be required and cannot be converted into CLB. |
| When scores arrive | CELPIP Test scores are available online through your CELPIP Account in 2-4 business days after your test date. Another Paragon page says: Available online within 3-4 business days after the test date. | Most test takers get their score within 2 business days, but it can take up to 5 business days. |
| How long a score is valid | Paragon's pages disagree. Its test format page says scores are valid for two years from the date your score report is issued. Its results page says five years from the date your score report is issued. | Your PTE Core Score Report is valid for two years from the test date. |
Who or what marks you
The biggest real difference, and each company words it two ways.
Both tests are taken on a computer at a test centre. The difference is in who marks the writing and speaking. The companies' own pages are not fully consistent, so here is each one as written.
| Company | What it says |
|---|---|
| Paragon, results page | each CELPIP speaking performance is rated by three to five speaking raters, and each CELPIP writing performance is rated by four to six writing raters. |
| Paragon, Contact CELPIP page (FAQ section) | The CELPIP Writing Test is scored by an AI-human hybrid system that combines artificial intelligence with our human rating panel. |
| Pearson, scoring page | All PTE tests, including PTE Core, are scored by a computer using state-of-the-art scoring technology. |
| Pearson, scoring page | There is no interaction with a human examiner during your test. |
| Pearson, help centre | Our unique combination of AI scoring and human expertise reduces the risk of bias to deliver fast, fair and accurate results. |
Our reading: both companies use automated technology somewhere. Paragon describes human raters as the people who give the writing and speaking levels, while Pearson mostly describes a computer that scores the whole test and mentions human expertise once. That is a difference in design, not a verdict on which is fairer. If you have a strong view about being marked by people or by software, this is where to look, and you can ask either company to explain its current process.
How we would choose
Our reading, using the facts above.
Start with what your application needs, then with what you can book and reach. Only after that does a preference between the two tests matter.
| If this is you | Our reading |
|---|---|
| You are applying for permanent residence in Canada and both tests are open to you | Compare the next open sittings near you for both, then compare how much time you have to prepare. A test you can take well in a month beats a better-sounding test you must wait for. |
| You also want an Australian visa | CELPIP is described by Paragon as recognised by the Australian department, see the quotes below. PTE Core is described by Pearson as a Canada test, so an Australian plan usually points to a different PTE test. |
| You want to study in Canada as well | Pearson says PTE Core is not the PTE test for study. Ask your school which tests it takes before you book anything. |
| You get anxious about test rooms | Both tests are taken at a centre, so visit the centre's page, read the rules, and decide which set of rules you prefer. |
| You type slowly or quickly | Both tests have you write on a computer. Practise typing in English before either one. |
"is a general English language proficiency test officially recognized by Australia's Department of Home Affairs (DHA)"
"For IRCC permanent residency (PR) and citizenship applications in Canada."
"Yes. PTE Academic is still the only PTE test that is suitable for studying in Canada."
"PTE Academic is accepted for global university study, visa applications to Australia and New Zealand, and professional registration."
For Australia, see our CELPIP for Australian visas page and for the two PTE tests, PTE Academic vs PTE Core.
Preparing for each
Both companies give some practice away.
Paragon says the CELPIP free materials include a sample test and a practice test when you create a CELPIP Account. Pearson says it has a free online course, an offline practice test and a tips guide for PTE Core, and that the PTE Academic materials do not carry over.
"With over 10 hours of free webinars, a free sample test, a free practice test when you create a CELPIP Account"
"you can access a free online course, an offline practice test, and a test tips guide."
"No, the preparation materials for PTE Academic/PTE Academic UKVI are based on academic English content, whereas PTE Core is based on everyday English content."
Our own score pages show how each result lines up with the Canadian Language Benchmarks: CELPIP score chart and CLB levels and PTE Core score chart. The prices and dates for PTE Core are on PTE Core exam dates and price, and CELPIP prices are on CELPIP test price in Canada.
Common questions
Neither is better for everyone. The immigration department lists both: it says you must take the CELPIP-General test or the PTE Core option. The better one is the test you can prepare for, book and sit in time, and then score the CLB levels you need.
No. They are different tests from different companies. Paragon's pages give CELPIP-General as under 3 hours on one page and 2 hours 50 minutes or about 3 hours on others, always in one sitting, and Pearson describes PTE Core as a single 2-hour test.
Paragon says CELPIP scores are available online in 2-4 business days after your test date, although another Paragon page says 3-4. Pearson says most PTE Core test takers get their score within 2 business days, but it can take up to 5 business days.
No, for both. Paragon says the CELPIP test must be completed in person at one of its test centres. Pearson says PTE Core is only available in PTE test centers.
Paragon's pages disagree: its test format page says two years from the date your score report is issued, and its results page says five years. Pearson says a PTE Core score report is valid for two years from the test date. IRCC says your results must be less than 2 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you submit your application. Our reading: for Express Entry, treat two years as the limit.
Pearson describes PTE Core as the test for IRCC permanent residency and citizenship applications in Canada. Paragon says CELPIP is officially recognized by Australia's Department of Home Affairs. For Australia, check the department's list for the visa you want.
Pearson says all PTE tests, including PTE Core, are scored by a computer. Paragon says each CELPIP writing performance is rated by four to six writing raters, and its FAQ says the writing test is scored by an AI-human hybrid system.