IELTS Test Takers Now Only Require Overall Band Score of 6 for Canada

Canada will now accept an overall band score of 6 in IELTS or International English Language Testing System for students applying for a study permit under the Student Direct Stream (SDS) category. With the new changes, aspirants will not have to score a minimum score of 6.0 bands in all individual sections, instead only overall. 

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is making this change effective for IELTS requirements from August 10.

"In light of the recent changes made by the IRCC, we are delighted by the decision that IELTS Academic test takers applying through the SDS program will now require only an overall 6 band score. There is no longer any requirement to achieve a minimum score of 6 bands in each section," said Piyush Kumar, Regional Director, South Asia and Mauritius, IDP Education, the co-owner of IELTS.

He added, "This update represents a positive shift towards recognizing the comprehensive abilities of test takers rather than focusing solely on individual band scores. We believe this change will provide greater opportunities for talented students worldwide to pursue their educational goals in Canada and also reflects authorities' confidence in IELTS."

IELTS stands out as a widely recognized English language proficiency test for academic, migration, and professional purposes. More than three million people take the test every year, and over 11,000 employers, universities, schools, and immigration authorities globally accept the IELTS scores.

The SDS program is an accelerated study permit processing designed for individuals seeking to study at designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada. It provides eligible students with expedited visa processing, facilitating a seamless transition to Canadian educational institutions.