Nova Scotia community college

Testing for English proficiency

If English is not your first language, Students must provide official results from one of the English proficiency tests listed below. The testing company must send the findings directly to NSCC Admissions to be considered official. The exam date must be fewer than two years before the date you submit your NSCC application.


1. International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) - each test must have a minimum score of 6.0. (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking).
2. TOEFL Internet-Based Exam (TOEFL iBT), 60 on the Paper-Delivered Test, or 550 on the Paper-Based Test – minimum test scores of 80 on the TOEFL iBT, 60 on the Paper-Delivered Test. 
3. CanTest (Canadian Test of English for Scholars and Trainees) - 4.5 average.
4. Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) - each test must have a minimum Level 8 score.
5. Minimum Band 60 on the Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL).
6. MET (Michigan English Test) — a minimum score of 59 is required.
7. Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) - a minimum score of 55 on this test is required.