Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)’s acceptance of the ETS test will introduce competition to the testing space, which is currently inhabited by the IELTS General, PTE Core and CELPIP.
“The tests that are currently being accepted by IRCC cost as much as $350 (plus tax!),” English testing expert, Michael Goodine, told The PIE News.
“The team at ETS has a golden opportunity to introduce a more affordable product that puts pressure on the other players to be a bit more competitive in terms of pricing.
“It looks like a big win for consumers,” Goodine added, highlighting that the injection of a new test could also fuel improvements in customer experience.
What’s more, as the IRCC only accepts in-person tests, a new network of test centres will likely improve accessibility in geographic terms, reducing travel time for test-takers.
The team at ETS has a golden opportunity to introduce a more affordable product
Michael Goodine, Test Resources
News of the additional test was announced on last week, though IRCC acceptance has not yet begun and test location details are yet to be shared by the global testing giant.
While TOEFL iBT was developed for academic admissions, TOEFL Essentials offers “a shorter, more accessible option for individuals who need to demonstrate proficiency for a broader range of purposes, including immigration and professional pathways,” said ETS.
Though the Canadian government is making considerable efforts to reduce temporary migration, its 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan also sets out targets to attract talent in key sectors including healthcare, engineering and technology; pathways that ETS aim to serve with the new test.
According to Goodine, the test stands out from the more traditional IELTS and CELPIP tests thanks to its use of AI scoring, the wide range of question types, and its relatively short duration of one and a half hours.
“That said… the TOEFL will for the first time be in direct competition with the PTE Core Test, which is also considered a very contemporary product,” he added.
Though the announcement relates to permanent economic pathways, it is understood that TOEFL Essentials is currently accepted by the University of Ottawa, with IRCC regulations allowing colleges in Canada to accept whichever tests they deem acceptable.
“Of the four tests now accepted by IRCC, I think this will be the only one that can be used for both academic and immigration purposes,” Goodine predicted.
In June, the cost of taking TOEFL Essentials increased to USD $199, up from approximately USD $100-$120 depending on the market. Reasons for the hike were unclear at the time.
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