Choosing the right English test can affect your visa eligibility and CRS score. Here is the complete comparison for Canada, UK, Australia and USA immigration.
| Test | Best For | Accepted By | Score Valid |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Australia (essential), UK, Canada | Canada, UK, Australia, USA, Germany | 2 years |
| IELTS General | Canada PR, UK Skilled Worker | Canada, UK | 2 years |
| CELPIP | Canada PR (most common) | Canada only | 2 years |
| PTE Academic | Fast results, Australia, UK | Canada, UK, Australia, USA | 2 years |
| TOEFL iBT | US universities, Germany | USA, Germany (universities) | 2 years |
| OET | Healthcare workers (nurses, doctors) | UK NHS, Australia AHPRA, NZ, Canada | 2 years |
| TEF Canada | French language — Canada CRS boost | Canada (French) | 2 years |
Both IELTS General and CELPIP are accepted for Canada Express Entry. Here is the honest comparison:
| Factor | IELTS General | CELPIP |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate — British English accent | Slightly easier — Canadian English, more conversational |
| Results time | 13 days average | 8 days (faster) |
| Test format | Pen & paper + speaking with examiner | Fully computer-based |
| Cost (India) | ~₹17,000 | ~₹17,000 |
| Availability | Test centres everywhere | Fewer centres — Canada focus |
| Retake policy | No limit — immediate retake allowed | No limit — immediate retake allowed |
| Verdict | ✅ More universally useful | ✅ Slightly easier for most Indians |
| CLB Level | IELTS (each skill) | CELPIP (each skill) | CRS Points (per skill) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 4 | 4.5 | 4 | 0 |
| CLB 5 | 5.0 | 5 | 6 |
| CLB 6 | 5.5 | 6 | 8 |
| CLB 7 | 6.0 | 7 | 16 |
| CLB 8 | 6.5 | 8 | 22 |
| CLB 9 | 7.0 | 9 | 29 (max for most) |
| CLB 10+ | 8.0+ | 10+ | 32 (maximum) |
Key insight: Going from CLB 7 (IELTS 6.0) to CLB 9 (IELTS 7.0) in all 4 skills adds 52 CRS points total — one of the biggest single improvements possible. For many candidates, this is more impactful than any other single action.
The UK requires a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider for visa applications. Only IELTS for UKVI (not regular IELTS), Trinity SELT, LanguageCert, or Pearson PTE Academic UKVI are accepted. Regular IELTS taken at a British Council or IDP centre is NOT accepted for UK visas — you must specifically take the UKVI version.
The Occupational English Test (OET) is specifically designed for healthcare professionals. It tests English in medical contexts (patient consultations, case notes, discharge summaries). Required by UK NHS (NMC), Australian AHPRA, and New Zealand nursing boards. Accepted by Canada for some healthcare professions. Minimum B grade in all 4 areas is typically required.
If you learn French to NCLC 7+ (TEF Canada or TCF Canada), you can add 50+ CRS points and access French category draws with cutoffs as low as 393. For Indian applicants who already know some French, this can be a game-changer — an NCLC 7 French score combined with a moderate CRS score often leads to an ITA faster than a high CRS score alone.