How the IELTS Exam Can Change Your Life in Canada

Migrating to another country can be the most meaningful change of your life. Seeing new places and meeting new people is different when you experience it as a new resident, rather than a regular visitor. However, any move like this does come with certain expectations.

Every country has various requirements for new immigrants. In many cases, the eligibility requirements don’t include the financial and intentional aspects of immigration only; Many people learn early on that language is one of the most significant factors of being approved for immigration. After all, if you wish to move to a foreign country and you don’t know its language, how well will you settle there?

If you are planning to live, work or study in Canada, you may need to prove your English proficiency. To prove your language skills, you will need to pass an IELTS exam. The IELTS tests you on 4 aspects: Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Listening.

What is the IELTS Exam?

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. It’s a series of standardized tests to assess proficiency in the English language. The purpose of the exam is to help you immigrate to countries whose primary language is English.

If you want to go to Canada for regular work or permanent residency, the IELTS exam is necessary. Good communication is key wherever you go: at your work place, university, or for socializing at the local bar.

Considering how becoming a permanent resident of any language-speaking nation depends on your language skills, learning and mastering the English language is crucial. So, make sure you come prepared.

What are the different types of IELTS Programs?

There are different types of Canada IELTS Programs. The exams differ slightly depending on skill levels.

IELTS Academic

The IELTS Academic Test is more suitable for individuals who wish to pursue academics in Canada. The IELTS Academic exam is essential for universities and institutions of higher education. If you want to become an international student in Canada (of higher education), and you need to prove your English proficiency, this is the test you need.

IELTS General Training 

The IELTS General Training is for people who want to gain a basic understanding in English. The IELTS General Training is more suitable for students who want to enter regular schools, colleges, different jobs, or for those who need employment training in English. The IELTS General Training also suits the need for day-to-day social interaction in different places.

Test Formats

All IELTS takers will be tested on the same 4 aspects: Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Listening. The Reading and Writing portions may differ from each other to fit the Academic Test or the General Training Test.

When do you need to take the IELTS Exam?

The immigration process to Canada can be tedious and time-consuming. For these reasons, it’s important that you complete the necessary requirements as early as possible. If you don’t meet the requirements, you may not be able to proceed with your application at all.

So, if it’s your first time applying for a visa, when is the best time to take the Canada IELTS?

Test validity

The test scores of the IELTS exam are valid for up to 2 years. This gives you ample time to prepare for the test and submit it with your visa application. However, keep in mind that not all the documents you will need for your visa application will be valid for this long.

Test preparation

Topic changes for the Canada IELTS happen every 4 months. If you plan to take the nearest exam date, you have a maximum of 4 months to prepare for the test segments. While it’s impossible to find out which topics will change, it’s best to prepare for all of them at once. 

How can you benefit from the IELTS?

IELTS is more than just an exam. There are many benefits to taking this test:

The broad range of international accreditation

The IELTS is recognized internationally as the basic standard of testing for English proficiency. It’s recognized in more than 140 countries and more than 10,000 organizations worldwide.

Location availability and test accessibility

There are thousands of IELTS testing centres, and the exam is available online as well. Today, there are more than 1,600 centres that span across 140 countries. There are 100 Canada IELTS testing centres in various Canadian provinces if you need to test your proficiency while in Canada.

Boosting IELTS CRS for a Visa Application

The Express Entry Program makes use of the IELTS. If you’re not familiar with the Express Entry Program, it is one of the most popular work immigration programs in Canada. In many cases, you will be required to prove your English proficiency to qualify for this program, or improve your immigration profile.

To boost your rank for admission to Express Entry you should try to achieve a high IELTS score. Canada would give better credit to people who are already adept in speaking the language.

Student Visa programs sometimes require a certain IELTS score; however, this requirement is usually demanded by the university you apply for (best to contact the admissions department regarding the required IELTS exam score).

Several other work permits and family sponsorship programs also require an IELTS exam score to prove proficiency in English. Speak with your immigration agent or lawyer about these requirements.

Better social and linguistic integration 

Whether you take the Canada IELTS or a similar exam, improving your English proficiency can benefit you in almost every place in the world. English is considered a global language, so it can help you with social interactions, job opportunities, university admission, and more.

Who can you call for Canada IELTS services?

Here at Great North Visa, we are a team of professional consultants who offer different immigration services. In addition, we offer access to language training courses to prep you for your Canada IELTS exam. Preparation is key in eventually submitting a successful visa application.

For more information about our services and to learn about what will be required for your particular case, speak with our immigration professionals today. We would be happy to guide you on your journey to Canada.