No official source rates one test as easier than another; PTE Core, CELPIP-General and IELTS General Training are all accepted by IRCC and converted to the same CLB levels, so the "easier" test is the one whose format suits your strengths. IRCC lists all three as its accepted English tests for Express Entry, and it judges your result by the CLB level you reach in each skill, whichever test you took.
What differs is the test day itself: how long you sit, what the tasks look like, who or what marks your speaking and writing, and the fee. This guide puts those differences side by side, with the scores needed for CLB 7 and CLB 9 on each test.
PTE Core vs CELPIP vs IELTS: the comparison table
IELTS details below are limited to what IRCC publishes about it. For IELTS test length, format, fees and results timing, check IELTS's own official information.
| PTE Core | CELPIP-General | IELTS General Training | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accepted by IRCC for Express Entry | Yes ("You must take the PTE Core option") | Yes ("You must take the CELPIP-General test") | Yes, General Training only; IRCC doesn't accept IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry |
| Length | 2 hours; "No test will exceed a total of 2 hours" | Just under 3 hours (CELPIP lists about 2 hours 50 minutes) | See IELTS |
| Delivery | Computer, at a test centre with no more than 15 seats per room | Computer, in one sitting; the CELPIP tests accepted by IRCC are taken at a test centre | See IELTS |
| Scoring | 10–90 for each skill; some integrated tasks count towards two skills; scored by computer | Levels match CLB one-to-one; listening and reading scored by computer, speaking and writing by human raters | Bands converted to CLB with IRCC's chart; listening needs a higher band from CLB 8 |
| Results | Usually within 2 business days, sometimes up to 5 | Usually within 2–4 business days (some CELPIP pages say 3–4) | See IELTS |
| Fee in Canada | CAD 360 in Pearson's price finder (see note below) | Around CAD 280–299 plus tax | See IELTS |
| At home | "PTE Core cannot be taken at home." | The CELPIP tests accepted by IRCC are taken at a test centre | See IELTS |
A note on fees: Pearson's price finder listed PTE Core at CAD 360 in Canada when we checked on 7 October 2026; whether tax is included isn't stated, and the price shown at booking is final. CELPIP's own pages list several figures for CELPIP-General, roughly CAD 280 to CAD 299 plus tax, and the price at registration is final. Our PTE Core fee guide lists prices in other countries.
On testing at home: IRCC's post-graduation work permit page says "Language tests should be taken in person", and Australia's Department of Home Affairs does not accept tests "delivered completely online", naming CELPIP Online and IELTS Online among the tests it won't take.
Which is easier, PTE Core or CELPIP? How the formats differ
None of Pearson, CELPIP or IRCC publishes a difficulty ranking. The useful question is which format plays to how you work.
PTE Core in brief
PTE Core is a general English test, so you may be asked to read a magazine article or write an email, and you won't see lecture material or academic articles. It runs in three parts:
- Speaking and Writing: 50–65 minutes, 7 question types
- Reading: 27–37 minutes, 5 question types
- Listening: 22–37 minutes, 7 question types
Across the test there are 19 question types and between 52 and 67 tasks, so you switch between task types often. Examples include Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Respond to a Situation (20 seconds to think, 40 seconds to speak), Write Email (80–120 words in 9 minutes) and Write from Dictation.
Two scoring features matter when you plan. First, some tasks are integrated: the Score Guide says some tasks "assess more than one skill at the same time" and count towards both skill scores. Second, all PTE tests are scored by a computer, with no human examiner during the test. For more detail, see what PTE Core is and our task map showing which tasks feed which skills.
CELPIP-General in brief
CELPIP is also a general English test, computer-delivered in one sitting with a personal timer, word counter and spell-check. The sections run in this order:
- Listening: 46–55 minutes, 6 parts, 38 questions
- Reading: 43–56 minutes, 4 parts, 38 questions
- Writing: 53 minutes, 2 tasks (an email and a survey response)
- Speaking: 15 minutes, 8 tasks
There's no scheduled break, and CELPIP says "Your test time does not stop for any reason, including washroom breaks." On scoring, listening and reading are marked by computer, while each speaking performance goes to 3 to 5 raters and each writing performance to 4 to 6 raters. Our CELPIP overview goes through each section.
What the differences mean for you
These are general observations, not official guidance:
- PTE Core moves through 19 question types in up to 2 hours. CELPIP-General is organised as 6 listening parts, 4 reading parts, 2 writing tasks and 8 speaking tasks, over close to 3 hours.
- On PTE Core, your speaking and writing are judged by a computer, and integrated tasks mean one response can affect two skill scores. On CELPIP, human raters mark your speaking and writing.
- CELPIP-General writing is two tasks in 53 minutes. PTE Core spreads writing-related work across items such as Write Email (9 minutes), Summarize Written Text and Write from Dictation.
- Both tests are taken on a computer, so how comfortable you feel with each task style on screen matters. Trying sample tasks of each is the fastest way to find out.
Is PTE Core easier than IELTS General?
There's no official answer to this either. IRCC accepts only the IELTS General Training option for Express Entry, and it converts each IELTS band to a CLB level using a fixed chart. The one pattern worth knowing from that chart is that IELTS listening needs a higher band than the other skills from CLB 8 upward (7.5 for CLB 8 and 8.0 for CLB 9, against 6.5 and 7.0 for the rest). Our CLB to IELTS guide has the full chart.
For citizenship, IRCC says "We only accept IELTS General Training for citizenship applications" and asks for 4.5 or higher in listening and 4.0 or higher in speaking. For PTE Core, IRCC's citizenship language proof, step 5 asks for 28 or higher in listening and 42 or higher in speaking. CELPIP-General needs level 4 or higher in both (tests taken on or after 1 April 2014).
CLB 7 and CLB 9 targets on all three tests
IRCC's equivalency tables convert each skill separately. CLB 7 is the Federal Skilled Worker minimum in all four abilities. CLB 9 matters for Comprehensive Ranking System points: for a first official language without a spouse, IRCC's CRS table gives 17 points per ability at CLB 7 and 31 at CLB 9.
CLB 7
| Skill | PTE Core | CELPIP-General | IELTS General Training |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 60–68 | 7 | 6.0 |
| Writing | 69–78 | 7 | 6.0 |
| Listening | 60–70 | 7 | 6.0 |
| Speaking | 68–75 | 7 | 6.0 |
CLB 9
| Skill | PTE Core | CELPIP-General | IELTS General Training |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 78–87 | 9 | 7.0 |
| Writing | 88–89 | 9 | 7.0 |
| Listening | 82–88 | 9 | 8.0 |
| Speaking | 84–88 | 9 | 7.0 |
The lower number in each PTE Core range is the score you need for that CLB. CELPIP is the simplest to read, because a CELPIP level equals the CLB level. On PTE Core, the CLB 9 writing band is only two points wide (88–89), with 90 counting as CLB 10.
IRCC uses only your four skill scores. Pearson says the overall PTE score "cannot be converted into CLB", and the Score Guide notes it "is not an average" of the skill scores. Our score targets and CLB levels page has the full PTE Core chart.
These tables show what each test requires for the same CLB. We found no official pass-rate or difficulty data comparing the tests.
Is PTE Core easy? How to decide which test to take
"Easy" depends on the person. A sensible way to choose:
- Check that the test fits your goal. For Express Entry and citizenship, all three are on IRCC's list. If you might also apply to Australia, note that Australia's accepted list includes CELPIP General and IELTS General Training but not PTE Core.
- Know your target per skill. Write down the CLB you need in each skill, then convert it using the tables above.
- Try a practice test of each. Time yourself on a full set of sample tasks for each test and note where you lost marks or ran out of time. Your own results tell you more than any ranking.
- Think about the day itself. If sitting close to 3 hours with no scheduled break worries you, PTE Core's 2-hour length may help. If you'd rather have people mark your speaking and writing, CELPIP's rater-based scoring may suit you better.
- Compare practical details. Look at fees, the dates available at test centres near you, and how quickly you need results.
Whichever test you choose, IRCC requires results to be less than 2 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you submit your permanent residence application.
If you want to compare the formats directly, PrepAmigo offers full PTE Core mock tests and CELPIP mock tests, so you can sit one of each before you book.
Frequently asked questions
Is PTE Core easier than CELPIP?
No official source says so. IRCC accepts both and converts each to CLB levels, so the easier test is the one whose format suits you. PTE Core is shorter at up to 2 hours, with 19 question types and computer scoring. CELPIP-General takes just under 3 hours, with human raters for speaking and writing.
Which is easier, PTE Core or CELPIP, for CLB 9?
Neither is officially easier. For CLB 9, CELPIP needs level 9 in every skill. PTE Core needs at least 78 in reading, 88 in writing, 82 in listening and 84 in speaking. Try practice tasks from both and see where you score higher.
Is PTE Core easier than IELTS General Training?
There is no official ranking. Both are accepted by IRCC for Express Entry and citizenship. IRCC converts IELTS General Training bands to CLB with a chart in which listening needs a higher band from CLB 8 upward.
Is PTE Core easy?
It depends on your strengths. PTE Core is a general English test with everyday topics such as magazine articles and emails, and it has no lecture or academic material. It moves quickly through 52 to 67 tasks in up to 2 hours, and some tasks count towards two skills.
Can I take PTE Core, CELPIP or IELTS at home for Canadian PR?
Pearson says PTE Core cannot be taken at home. The CELPIP tests accepted by IRCC are taken at a test centre. For IELTS General Training, check IELTS's own information on how the test is delivered.
Does IRCC prefer one English test over the others?
No preference is stated. IRCC lists CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core as its accepted English tests for Express Entry and looks at the CLB level you reach in each skill.
Related guides
Sources and further reading
- IRCC: Express Entry language testing, accepted English tests, IELTS General Training only and no One Skill Retake.
- IRCC: Express Entry language test equivalency, PTE Core, CELPIP-General and IELTS General Training to CLB tables, minimums and the 2-year rule.
- IRCC: CRS criteria, points per ability at CLB 7 and CLB 9.
- IRCC: Citizenship language proof, step 2, citizenship minimums for each test.
- IRCC: Citizenship language proof, step 5, PTE Core citizenship minimums.
- IRCC: PGWP documents, language tests taken in person.
- Pearson: PTE Core, length, parts, delivery, results timing and no at-home option.
- Pearson: PTE Core scoring, 10–90 scale, computer scoring and CLB table.
- Pearson: PTE Core Score Guide (January 2026), integrated scoring, task count and overall score.
- Pearson: Test centres and fees, where to check the current PTE Core price.
- CELPIP: Overview, format and computer delivery.
- CELPIP: Test results, results timing, levels and rater scoring.
- CELPIP: Test day information, no scheduled break.
- Australian Department of Home Affairs: English language, accepted tests and online tests not accepted.