In this article we are going to guide you through the following points:
- What is the IELTS exam?
- Where to pass the exam in Calgary;
- How it can help with a Canadian immigration application;
- Practical information;
- How to prepare with GlobalExam.
Start training for the IELTS exam online. Let’s get started!
What Exactly Is the IELTS Exam and What Does It Aim to Do?
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an exam designed to test a person’s proficiency in the English language. The IELTS is administered by Cambridge ESOL, the British Council and the IDP. Its objective is to give people seeking to live, study or work in English-speaking countries an official certification of their language skills : listening, reading, writing and speaking are the four abilities tested.
IELTS Calgary: Where Are the Test Centers Located At?
In Canada, any version of the IELTS comes approved by the IDP. Below you will find a list of the official test centers in Calgary:
| GEOS Languages Plus | Suite 140 - 1040 7th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB, T2P3G9 | IELTS Academic and General Training | [email protected] |
| SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) | Stan Grad centre, 2nd Floor, 1301 – 16Th Ave NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2M 0L4 | IELTS Academic and General Training | [email protected] |
| Bow Valley College - North Campus | 345 6 Ave SE, Calgary, AB, T2G 4V1 | IELTS Academic and General Training | [email protected] |
| University of Calgary - Alberta | 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary Alberta T2N 1N4 | IELTS Academic and General Training | [email protected] |
| Global Village - Calgary | #200-515 1st Street, SE, Calgary Alberta | IELTS Academic and General Training | [email protected] |
| Canada College: Calgary, Bow Valley Delta Hotel | 209 - 4th Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2P1H9 | IELTS Academic and General Training | [email protected] |
| Bow Valley College - West Campus | 300 - 6 Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 0G5 | IELTS Academic and General Training | [email protected] |
Other Official IELTS Test Centers in Canada
Here is a list of cities where you can sit for the IELTS test in Canada:
- IELTS test center in Toronto
- IELTS test center in Vancouver
- IELTS test center in Edmonton
- IELTS test center in Montreal
- IELTS test center in Winnipeg
- IELTS test center in Ottawa
- IELTS test center in Saskatoon
- IELTS test center in Halifax
- IELTS test center in Victoria
There are three such examination centers where you can sit the IELTS Calgary and you can find their addresses and contact information right here:
Once you’ve worked out which one is the most convenient location for your IELTS test, all you need to do is register online on the IDP website, specifying your chosen examination center.
Official IELTS Test Centers Nearby Calgary and Alberta
If you are too far away from the Calgary centers listed above, you can still take your IELTS in other test centers nearby Calgary.
| IDP Education Canada - Edmonton | 10050 112 St NW Suite 806, Edmonton, AB T5K 2J1 | IELTS Academic and General Training | [email protected] |
| Grant MacEwan University - IDP Education | 10700 104 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 4S2 | IELTS Academic and General Training | [email protected] |
| Solomon College | Suite 228, 10621 – 100 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB, T5J 0B3 | IELTS Academic and General Training | [email protected] |
| ETC West Office | Building 9, Robbins Health Learning Centre, 10910 104 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB, T5K 2Y9 | IELTS Academic and General Training | [email protected] |
| Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) | 11762 106 St NW, Edmonton, AB, T5J 1N3 | IELTS Academic and General Training | [email protected] |
| Robertson College - Canada College | 10145 109 St NW #206, Edmonton, AB T5J 4Y6 | IELTS Academic and General Training | [email protected] |
| Red Deer Public Schools, IELTS Test Centre | 4747 53 St, Red Deer, AB T4N 2E6 | IELTS Academic and General Training | [email protected] |
How Can You Register for the IELTS Exam in Calgary?
Registration for the IELTS in Canada takes place online on the IDP website.
When you access the IELTS registration platform, you will be asked to input your country, city, and test type. The platform will show you the available IELTS examination centers near you and their next test sessions.
Once you’ve selected your session, you will be asked to create an account on the IDP IELTS website. You will have to provide the following information:
- Your personal details, including date of birth and passport or National Identity Card number
- Your occupation and education information
- Your postal address
Next, you must download an application form to print, complete and submit to your chosen examination center. The form asks for detailed information, including:
- Your intended destination country
- Number of years studying English
You will be asked to pay the registration fee online, at which point your registration is complete.
You will receive your IELTS test results 14 days after your test day.
IELTS Calgary: How Much Does It Cost to Take the Exam?
The test costs approximately $300 CAD in Canada. This fee can vary depending on the examination center according to the province it is located in, so it’s best to check directly with your chosen center.
The IELTS recently launched a scholarship award to help students cover the costs of the registration fee. To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Less than 32 years old
- High School grades of at least 75%
- Undergraduate degree with a minimum of 3.0 GPA
- Family incomes of less than $250 USD
- First time sitting the IELTS
- Teacher recommendation
If you’re eligible for the scholarship, you can apply directly on the IELTS website.
What Are the Reasons for Choosing to Take the IELTS?
If you’re considering moving to Canada to live, work, or study, the IELTS could be your ticket in the door.
Canada has two official languages – English and French – and you’ll need to demonstrate your proficiency in either language in order to get a foot in the door with universities, employers, and the immigration authorities.
The IELTS is accepted by over 350 education institutions and universities across Canada. If you’re a prospective student, you should look into taking the IELTS Academic.
If you’re a prospective immigrant to Canada or considering applying for citizenship, the IELTS is the only international English exam recognized by the immigration and citizenship authorities. For this process, you’ll need to take the IELTS General Training.
Immigrating through Express Entry
Express Entry is a system used to process applications to Canada’s immigration programs for skilled workers. Candidates are ranked according to criteria such as education, age, and language proficiency. The best are invited to apply for Canadian permanent resident status.
To gain access to the Express Entry pool, all candidates (including native speakers) must demonstrate their proficiency in either French or English.
What Are the Canadian Language Benchmarks and Their Purpose?
When it comes to proving your proficiency in English, your IELTS test score will be measured against the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). Your IELTS test certificate will include a specific score in each communication skill, which altogether corresponds to one of the 12 CLB levels.
If you’re applying through the Federal Skilled Worker Program of Express Entry, for example, you will need to achieve at least a CLB Level 7 across reading, writing, listening and speaking. Whereas if you’re applying for Canadian citizenship, you will need to prove English proficiency at CLB Level 4 in speaking and Level 4.5 in listening.
How does the IELTS scoring system correspond with the CLB?
Once you’ve identified the CLB level required for your immigration pathway, it’s important to know exactly how the CLB equates to the IELTS scores across the four communication skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
The table down below can help you understand it better:
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 1 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| CLB 2 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| CLB 3 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| CLB 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| CLB 5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| CLB 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| CLB 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| CLB 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| CLB 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| CLB 10 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| CLB 11 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| CLB 12 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 |
Start Preparing for the IELTS and Ace Your Score With GlobalExam
If you’re ready to go with your IELTS preparations, let’s take a minute to look at how GlobalExam could help you get the score you need.
Our platform provides two modes: a training mode and an exam mode. Both modes help you keep track of your progress as you practice on exercises that focus on a particular section of your test, and you will then be able to work on sample tests with a timer that will put you in real exam conditions. The corrections and explanations of each exercise you have done are saved on your account, giving you the possibility to review your answers.
Wherever your weaknesses lie with English, we’ve got the study sheets and revision exercises to help you progress. You can search through our learning materials easily to identify the lessons you need the most.
The IELTS is necessary for living in Canada, therefore GlobalExam can help you reach that goal!
