IELTS TRAINING CENTRE KENYA - IELTS PREPARATION | OET | TOEFL | PTE | GRE | DUOLINGO
Title: IELTS TRAINING CENTRE KENYA - IELTS PREPARATION | OET | TOEFL | PTE | GRE | DUOLINGO
A Guide to Minimum TOEFL Score for Canada Student Visa
TOEFL is a standardized and widely accepted measure of English proficiency. Almost all Canadian universities accept TOEFL as a standardized English language assessment test making it an important part of the Canada student visa process. Read this blog to understand the TOEFL requirements for a student visa in Canada and get insights on TOEFL fees, minimum score requirements and more.
Most Canadian universities and colleges conduct their courses in English and immigration officers want to ensure that students can succeed in their studies and integrate into Canadian life. Therefore, meeting the country’s English language requirements is important for students to secure a Canada student visa.
While there are many English language assessment test available, TOEFL ranks first among the three most widely used English language proficiency tests and is known for being the quickest among other major assessment tests. Accepted by leading universities in Canada and worldwide TOEFL assists individuals seeking to pursue academic or professional opportunities in English-speaking environments like Canada.
What is TOEFL?
TOEFL, stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language, is a standardized test that measures the English proficiency of non-native speakers who want to apply for English-medium academic programs or professional settings in English speaking countries.
There are two main versions of the TOEFL:
| TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) | This is the most widely used version of the test and is taken online at designated test centres. |
| TOEFL PBT (Paper-Based Test) | This older version of the test is still available in some limited locations, but it is being phased out in favour of the iBT. |
Who takes the TOEFL?
• Students applying to universities or colleges where the primary language of instruction is English.
• Professionals seeking employment in English-speaking countries.
• Individuals applying for immigration visas or other purposes that require proof of English proficiency.
TOEFL Test Sections Overview
The TOEFL test can be taken both online and on paper, while both formats of the tests check for a student’s language proficiency using the same scoring scale, the online and offline tests differ in many ways.
| Feature | Online | Offline |
| Delivery Method | Computer with designated platform | Pen and paper at test centres |
| Convenience | Take from home or test centres | Travel to test centres required |
| Total Time | Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes | Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Scoring and Feedback | Results within 4-8 days | Results within 11-13 days |
| Advantages | More convenient, quicker results, less number of questions asked | Wider variety of text types in reading. |
| Disadvantages | Technical issues possible, speaking section at home might differ | Less flexible scheduling, travel required |
Online Test section overview
Here is a brief overview of the online TOEFL test sections. The online TOEFL test can take anywhere between two to two and a-half-hours to complete.
| Section | Estimated Timing | Questions/Task | Description |
| Reading | 35 minutes | 20 questions | Read the passage and answer the given questions |
| Listening | 36 minutes | 28 questions | Answer the questions asked about lectures and discussions |
| Speaking | 16 minutes | 4 tasks | Talk about familiar topic and answer the questions asked |
| Writing | 29 minutes | 2 tasks | Read/listen to a passage/recording and answer. State and support an opinion in an online discussion |
On-paper Test section overview
Here is a brief overview of the TOEFL test sections taken on paper. The reading listening and writing sections are taken on-site whereas the speaking section is conducted separately online at home.
On-site
The reading, listening and writing sections combined can take anywhere between three to three and a-half-hours.
| Section | Estimated Timing | Questions/Task | Description |
| Reading | 54-72 minutes | 30-40 questions | Read the passage and answer the given questions. |
| Listening | 41-57 minutes | 28-39 questions | Answer the questions asked about lectures and discussions. |
| Writing | 50 minutes | 2 Tasks | Read/listen to a passage/recording and answer. |
Online
The online speaking section can take anywhere between 17-20 minutes to complete.
| Speaking | 17 minutes | 4 Tasks | Talk about familiar topic and answer the questions asked |
Why take TOEFL for Canada student visa
International students planning to pursue their higher education in Canada need to submit their TOEFL or similar English Language proficiency scores to prove their language proficiency. While Canada does not strictly require the TOEFL for student visa applications, demonstrating English language proficiency is important for securing a study permit. TOEFL counts among some of the most widely accepted language assessment methods, recognized by nearly all Canadian universities.
There are several compelling reasons why choosing TOEFL to study in Canada could be a strategic move:
| Worldwide Acceptance | Most of Canadian colleges and universities accept TOEFL scores, making it the most inclusive option compared to other tests. This gives the students flexibility in applying to any program without worrying about compatibility. |
| Preferred Choice | Over 80% of Masters programs in Canada actually prefer TOEFL scores, indicating a higher level of trust and familiarity with the test format and assessment criteria. |
| Global Recognition | TOEFL is the world's most respected and accepted English-language test, accepted by over 12,000 institutions in more than 160 countries. Making it helpful only for Canadian studies but also for future academic or professional pursuits beyond Canada. |
| Academic Focus | TOEFL emphasizes academic English skills, specifically targeting the types of reading, writing, listening, and speaking tasks that students encounter in university coursework, directly preparing them for the language demands of their studies. |
| Additional Benefits | TOEFL iBT is the shortest English-language testing option among other major choices, and is valid for two years, offering flexibility and saving time. The Student Direct Stream (SDS) program for expedited study visa processing accepts TOEFL scores, potentially easing the entry process to Canada. Students need to remember that ultimately, the best test to prove their language proficiency depends on their individual strengths, weaknesses, and program requirements. |
TOEFL Cut-off for Canada Student Visa
While there is no official cut-off score for a Canada student visa, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 80-100. This score demonstrates basic English proficiency for understanding and communicating in academic settings.
Students receive four scaled section scores and a total score.
• Each section has a score range between 0–30
• The section scores are added together to make a total score of 0–120
Here is a general overview of TOEFL scaled section scores and their proficiency level
| Skill | Score | Level |
| Reading | • 24–30 • 18–23 • 4–17 • 0–3 | Advanced High-Intermediate Low-Intermediate Below Low-Intermediate |
| Listening | • 22–30 • 17–21 • 9–16 • 0–8 | Advanced High-Intermediate Low-Intermediate Below Low-Intermediate |
| Speaking | • 25–30 • 20–24 • 16–19 • 10–15 • 0–9 | Advanced High-Intermediate Low-Intermediate Basic Below Basic |
| Writing | • 24–30 • 17–23 • 13–16 • 7–12 • 0–6 | Advanced High-Intermediate Low-Intermediate Basic Below Basic |
How to send TOEFL scores to universities?
There are two main ways students can send their TOEFL scores to universities
During Registration
This is the easiest and most cost-effective way to send the TOEFL sores to universities.
• Students can choose up to 4 universities to receive their test scores for free when they register for the TOEFL iBT test.
• Students can simply enter their institutional codes during registration.
• Students can edit their chosen universities until 10 PM on the day before their test date.
After Exam
If students need to send their scores to more than 4 universities, they can order additional score reports through their ETS account.
• Each additional report costs $25 per institution.
• Students can order reports through their ETS account, by mail, or by fax.
Delivery time
TOEFL scores arrive in 4-8 business days for computer-based tests and 11-13 days for paper tests. How students receive their TOEFL scores depends on the test format and the chosen delivery method:
| Delivery Method | Internet Based Test | Paper Based Test |
| ETS Data Manager | 4-8 business days | 11-13 business days |
| Server Feeds | 8-10 business days | 11-16 business days |
| Postal Mail | 10-12 business days | 10-12 business days |
Scores are sent by postal mail within 10-12 business days, followed by an additional mailing time based on the destination:
| Within US | 7-10 Business days |
| Outside US | 4-6 Weeks |
While the TOEFL is popular, there are some other English language proficiency tests accepted by Canadian immigration authorities, such as:
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
• Duolingo English Test (DET)
• Pearson Test of English (PTE)
• Canadian English Language Benchmarks (CELPIP)
