PTE vs IELTS vs TOEFL for Canada: Which Test Should You Take?

Good news for Nepali students: most Canadian colleges and universities accept all three tests. So the real question is which one suits you. This guide compares PTE, IELTS and TOEFL for Canada and helps you pick one test.

The test is one early step in your plan to study in Canada from Nepal. For the score each school wants, read our guide to the minimum IELTS and PTE for Canada.

Do Canadian Schools Prefer One English Proficiency Test?

No, Canada has no national choice of English proficiency test, and each school picks the tests it takes and the score it wants.

IRCC, Canada’s immigration department, doesn’t list a language test in its study permit papers. The English check happens when the school decides your admission. So your school’s page matters more than any general advice, including ours.

Some gaps do matter for a master’s. McGill’s graduate office says it doesn’t accept PTE, and the University of Toronto’s graduate school doesn’t list PTE at all. If you are aiming that high, check before you book PTE.

How Are PTE, IELTS and TOEFL Different?

All three test reading, writing, listening and speaking, but they differ in length, score scale and how quickly you get results.

The TOEFL scale is the newest change. Since 21 January 2026, score reports use a 1 to 6 scale, and old lists of TOEFL scores can look wrong because of it. For two years you also get a comparable score out of 120, so schools can read both.

For a closer look at each paper in Nepal, read our guides to the IELTS exam, the PTE exam and the TOEFL exam.

IELTS vs TOEFL for Canada: Which One Should You Pick?

For most Nepali students, IELTS is the simpler pick over TOEFL for Canada, because every school we checked accepts it.

TOEFL still works at many schools. It can make sense if you are also applying to American universities, or if your practice scores are stronger on it. Compare the two on your own school’s page before you pay.

Here is what four real entry levels ask for on each test. These come from each school’s own page, and some programs ask for more.

Don’t use this table to convert your score. Our PTE score chart and IELTS conversion gives a rough idea, but the number on your school’s page always wins. Our page on IELTS scores by Canadian university has more examples.

Which Test Is Best for Which Nepali Student?

Choose PTE if you type well and need a fast result, IELTS if you like speaking to a person, and TOEFL if your schools or other countries call for it.

• PTE suits you if you are comfortable on a computer and your deadline is close. Results typically come in two days, and it takes 2 hours.
• IELTS suits you if you want the widest choice of schools. It is also useful if you prefer a live speaking test with an examiner.
• TOEFL suits you if you enjoy academic reading and listening, or if you have a score already. It is valid for 2 years.

Still unsure? Try a timed practice test for two of them and compare your weakest skill. Our guide on which is easier, IELTS or PTE goes further. Many schools also set a minimum per skill, as our IELTS band score guide explains.

Can You Use PTE, IELTS or TOEFL for a Work Permit After Study?

No, your admission score won’t count, because IRCC’s list for the work permit after study has IELTS General Training and PTE Core, not IELTS Academic, PTE Academic or TOEFL.

This surprises many families in Nepal. The IRCC language results table names CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training, PTE Core, TEF and TCF. You need CLB 7 after a degree and CLB 5 after a college program.

So you will sit a different test near the end of your studies, and your result must be under 2 years old. TOEFL can get you admitted, but it can’t be used here. Read our PGWP guide for the full rules.

What Happens if You Don’t Reach the Score?

You can retake the test, switch tests or ask your school about a pathway, and you shouldn’t delay your whole plan over one weak skill.

York, for example, offers a pathway with IELTS 5.5 to 6.0 and a conditional offer. IELTS also has a One Skill Retake, but UBC doesn’t accept it, so check first.

Some students ask about skipping the test altogether. Our page on studying abroad without IELTS covers when that can work. Then see the full Canada student visa requirements, since your English score is only one part of your file.

If you want help preparing in Nepal, see our IELTS classes and PTE classes. You can also talk to a counselor at our Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Chitwan, Itahari or Pokhara branch through our contact page. If you are comparing advisers, read about the best consultancy for Canada.