Quick Read
- Most Indian applicants need an English test for Canadian admission
- GRE or GMAT is required only for selected MS programs
- Canada has no MBBS; the medical degree is an MD
- PGWP needs IELTS General, CELPIP, or PTE Core, not Academic
Canada Entrance Exam Names: Which Exam Is Required for Canada?
There is no single Canada entrance exam. The Canadian entrance exam you need depends on your level of study and your program. This table lists each Canada entrance exam name and who needs it:
| Canada entrance exam name | Purpose | Who needs it |
| IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, Duolingo, PTE Academic, CAEL | English proficiency for admission | Most Indian bachelor’s and master’s applicants |
| GRE General | Graduate aptitude | Selected MS and PhD programs |
| GMAT Focus | Business school aptitude | Many MBA and business master’s programs |
| MCAT | Medical school admission | MD applicants at faculties that require it |
| LSAT | Law school admission | JD applicants |
| IELTS General, CELPIP General, PTE Core | Immigration language proof | PGWP applicants after graduation |
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Most Indian students miss the last row. The test that gets you admitted is not the test IRCC accepts for your post-graduation work permit.
How to Check Which Exam Your Program Needs?
- Open the program's admission page, not the university homepage. Exam rules are often set at the program level.
- Find the English language requirements page and note the minimum overall score and the minimum for each band or section.
- Check whether the program lists the GRE or GMAT as required, optional or not considered.
- Confirm which test formats are accepted. For example, some universities don't accept IELTS One Skill Retake or Duolingo for graduate programs.
Counselor insight: Indian families often ask which Canada entry exam is "compulsory," expecting one national test like JEE or NEET. Canada has no such exam. Each university sets its own requirements, so your shortlist decides your exams, not the country.
Canada Entrance Exam for English: IELTS, TOEFL and Duolingo Scores
The English test is the Canada entrance exam almost every Indian applicant takes. The University of Toronto's published minimums are a useful benchmark:
| Test | U of T undergraduate minimum | U of T School of Graduate Studies minimum |
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0 | 7.0 overall, no band below 6.5 |
| TOEFL iBT (taken on or after January 21, 2026) | 4.5 overall, 4.5 Writing, 4.0 Speaking | 4.5 overall, 4.5 Writing, 4.0 Speaking |
| TOEFL iBT (taken before January 21, 2026) | 89 total, 22 in Speaking and Writing | 93 total, 22 in Writing and Speaking |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 overall, 120 Production | Not accepted |
Sources: U of T Future Students: English Language Requirements, U of T Learning Abroad: English Requirements by Faculty
Rules to know before you book:
- New TOEFL scale: ETS moved the TOEFL iBT to a 1 to 6 scale, in half-point steps, from January 2026.
- Single sitting: U of T does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake results, and all minimum scores must come from a single test date.
- Duolingo limits: Duolingo works for many undergraduate programs, but not at U of T's graduate school.
Counselor insight: The single-sitting rule catches strong candidates out. A student with 7.5 overall but 5.5 in Writing doesn't meet a "no band below 6.0" requirement, and retaking Writing alone won't fix it at U of T. Prepare for your weakest band, not your overall score.
IELTS and TOEFL aren't your only choices for a Canada entrance exam in English. Read expert answers on which other English tests Canadian universities accept, including PTE Academic and CAEL.
Canadian Entrance Exam for Bachelor’s and MS Programs
Bachelor's Programs
For undergraduate programs, Canadian universities assess Indian students mainly on Class 12 board results (CBSE, ISC, or state board), program-specific subjects, and an English test. Many universities also expect Grade 12 English. U of T, for example, requires a Grade 12/Senior English course for all undergraduate programs.
U of T exempts applicants who completed four or more years of full-time study in an English-language school in a country where English is the dominant language. If your schooling doesn't meet this exemption, you'll need an accepted English test.
Canada Entrance Exam for MS and MBA
GRE and GMAT requirements are set program by program, so many MS applicants need only an English test. Check each program's admission page to confirm.
- GRE General: Scores are valid for five years. The fee for Indian test takers is US$249 (₹23,884).
- GMAT Focus Edition: Commonly listed by MBA programs. Check whether your target school also accepts the GRE.
Source: ETS India: GRE
For program shortlists, see our guide to Masters in Computer Science in Canada. Freshers considering business school can compare options in our MBA in Canada without work experience guide.
Conversion note: US$1 = ₹95.92 (September 2026). Recheck the rate before you pay.
Counselor insight: Don't take the GRE "just in case." Check your five shortlisted MS programs first. If none require it, spend that preparation time raising your IELTS score, which strengthens every application.
Canada Entrance Exam for MBBS: Can I Do MBBS in Canada?
No. Canadian faculties of medicine award an MD, not an MBBS, and applicants usually complete undergraduate university study before applying.
Is there any entrance exam for MBBS in Canada? There is no Canada entrance exam for MBBS straight after Class 12, and no NEET-style national test.
What is the Canada medical entrance exam name? It is the MCAT, required at the faculties that ask for it. The MCAT must be taken before, and within five years of, the year you apply.
Key facts from AFMC:
- AFMC represents Canada's 19 faculties of medicine.
- Requirements, seat numbers and MCAT rules vary by school.
- International applicant seats are limited, so check each faculty's eligibility rules before you plan this route.
Sources: AFMC: Admission Requirements of Canadian Faculties of Medicine 2027 | AFMC: Future MD Canada
How to Get Admission in MBBS in Canada (the MD Route)?
- Complete Class 12 in India with the science subjects your target university requires, and take an accepted English test.
- Study a bachelor's degree in Canada, choosing courses that meet the prerequisites of the medical faculties you're targeting.
- Take the MCAT if your target faculties require it, within five years of your application year.
- Apply to MD programs that accept international applicants, with your undergraduate transcripts, MCAT score, autobiographical sketch and reference letters.
Counselor insight: Indian parents often search "is there any entrance exam for MBBS in Canada" expecting a NEET-style test. There isn't one, because Canada doesn't offer MBBS. The MD route takes a bachelor's degree first, and international MD seats are limited, so plan a strong alternative career path alongside it.
Canada Entry Exam for Study Permit and PGWP
Study permit: The Student Direct Stream (SDS), which required a set language score, ended on November 8, 2024, at 2 p.m. ET. All applications are now processed under the regular study permit route.
Source: IRCC: Student Direct Stream program delivery update
PGWP:
- Every application needs a designated language test result, and university graduates need CLB 7.
- IRCC accepts CELPIP General, IELTS General Training, and PTE Core for English, and TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French.
- IELTS Academic, TOEFL, and Duolingo are not accepted.
Sources: U of T Centre for International Experience: PGWP | EduCanada: PGWP language requirements
When to take your PGWP language test:
- First year in Canada: Choose between IELTS General Training, CELPIP General, and PTE Core, and take a practice test.
- Final semester: Book and take the test, leaving time for one retake before you graduate.
- Before applying: Check that your result meets CLB 7 in all four skills.
Considering how your institution affects visa outcomes? See what our counselors say about choosing Canadian institutions for visa success.
Counselor insight: Your IELTS Academic score can't be reused for the PGWP. Book IELTS General Training, CELPIP, or PTE Core in your final semester, so there's no gap between graduation and your work permit application.
Which Canada Entrance Exam Fits You? 3 Indian Scenarios
- If you are a Class 12 CBSE student targeting a Canadian bachelor's for Fall 2027: Take IELTS Academic or Duolingo, depending on your shortlist, by December 2026.
- If you are a final-year BTech student targeting an MS: Aim for IELTS Academic 7.0 with no band below 6.5. Take the GRE only if your programs require it.
- If you are a Class 12 science student who wants to become a doctor in Canada: Take IELTS Academic now, apply for a bachelor's degree, and plan for the MCAT during your degree.
2027-28 Canada Entrance Exam Calendar
| Month | What to do | Indian academic context |
| Oct to Dec 2026 | Take IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo; GRE/GMAT if required | Book around Class 12 pre-boards or semester exams |
| Jan to Mar 2027 | Submit Fall 2027 applications | Class 12 board exams |
| Apr to Jun 2027 | Retake if you're short of a band; accept your offer | Final exams and results |
| Jul to Aug 2027 | Apply for your study permit | Collect your provisional certificate |
| Final semester in Canada | Take IELTS General, CELPIP or PTE Core for your PGWP | 3 to 4 months before graduation |
For intake timing across Canadian universities, see our guide to the fall intake in Canada.
Documents Checklist for Canada Entrance Exam
| Document | When you need it | India-specific details |
| Passport | Test booking and test day | Your name must match your passport exactly |
| Official English test report | University application | Send scores directly from the test provider |
| GRE or GMAT score report | MS or MBA application (if required) | Send from your ETS or GMAC account |
| Class 10 and 12 marksheets | Bachelor's application | CBSE, ISC or state board; attested copies |
| Degree transcripts | Master's application | Consolidated marksheet from your university registrar |
| Immigration language test report | PGWP application | IELTS General Training, CELPIP General or PTE Core |
What to Do If Your Score Falls Short
- One band short: Retake the full test, since some universities don't accept IELTS One Skill Retake results.
- Program rejects Duolingo: Switch to IELTS Academic or TOEFL for that application.
- GRE below the program average: Retake it, or shift to MS programs that don't require the GRE.
- Wrong test for the PGWP: Book IELTS General Training, CELPIP, or PTE Core immediately.
Counselor insight: Book your English test at least eight weeks before your earliest application deadline. That leaves room for one retake, so a low score doesn't push you into a later intake.
3 Key Takeaways on Canada Entrance Exam
- Pick your Canada entrance exam by program. An English test is almost always needed; the GRE or GMAT is only required if your MS or MBA program asks for it.
- Canada has no MBBS. Future doctors need a bachelor's degree first, then the MD route with the MCAT where required.
- Plan a second English test for your PGWP. IELTS Academic won't count, so book IELTS General, CELPIP, or PTE Core before graduation.
Verified by: LeapScholar's Canada counseling team, with hands-on experience guiding Indian students through English test planning, Canadian admissions, and PGWP applications. All requirements were checked against official sources in September 2026.
Have a specific question about which Canada entrance exam you need? Book a free session with a LeapScholar counselor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Canada Entrance Exam
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Which exam is required for Canada?
Most Indian students need an English test such as IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT or Duolingo for admission. Selected MS and MBA programs also ask for the GRE or GMAT, and medical faculties may require the MCAT. Each university sets its own requirements, so check your program's page.
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What is the Canada entrance exam name for MS?
The Canada entrance exam for MS is usually an English test, most often IELTS Academic, with the GRE only where a program requires it. GRE scores stay valid for five years, and the test costs US$249 (₹23,884) in India.
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What IELTS score is needed for Canada?
Many Canadian universities set IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 for undergraduate programs, which is the University of Toronto's minimum. U of T's graduate school requires 7.0 with no band below 6.5.
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Is there any entrance exam for MBBS in Canada?
There is no Canada entrance exam for MBBS, because Canadian faculties of medicine award an MD, not an MBBS. MD applicants usually complete undergraduate university study first, and many faculties require the MCAT, taken within five years of applying.
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Can I do MBBS in Canada after Class 12?
You can't do MBBS in Canada after Class 12, because the Canadian medical degree is an MD that usually follows undergraduate study. The route is a bachelor's degree first, then MD applications with the MCAT where required. International seats are limited.
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What is the Canada medical entrance exam name?
The Canada medical entrance exam name is the MCAT, which many of Canada's 19 faculties of medicine require for MD admission. It must be taken before and within five years of the year you apply. Requirements vary by faculty.
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What is the new TOEFL score for Canada in 2026?
ETS moved the TOEFL iBT to a 1 to 6 scale from January 2026. For tests taken on or after January 21, 2026, U of T requires 4.5 overall with 4.5 in Writing and 4.0 in Speaking. Older-format scores are assessed on the previous scale.
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Which English test is accepted for the Canada PGWP?
IRCC accepts only CELPIP General, IELTS General Training, and PTE Core for English, and TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French. University graduates need CLB 7. IELTS Academic, TOEFL, and Duolingo scores used for admission do not count.
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What if my Canada entrance exam score is lower than required?
Retake the full test before your deadline, because some universities, including U of T, don't accept IELTS One Skill Retake results. Alternatively, apply with another accepted test, such as TOEFL or Duolingo, if your program lists it.
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