ELP Exams and other assessments
For applicants without 3 years of consecutive, full-time academic study in English, a formal assessment (such as an ELP exam) is required.
- Exam results are valid for 2 years after the test date. Applicants will be assessed on the basis of their most recent English Language Proficiency results.
- ESL Placement Exams are intended for students entering a NAIT ESL program. They cannot be used to prove English Language Proficiency when applying to most NAIT programs.
- If your ESL Placement Exam is your most recent ELP assessment, it may still impact your application to other NAIT programs.
- If you already meet the ELP requirements for your program, please speak to an advisor before taking an ESL Placement Exam at NAIT.
- Accepted exams and scores vary by program. Find your program under the tabs below to see what tests are accepted and what scores are required.
- When you register for an ELP exam, please select to have your exam results sent electronically to NAIT – therefore NAIT can promptly process your exam results without courier delays.
- Students whose ELP is just below the ELP requirement for NAIT's credit programs may qualify for the ESL admissions pathway.
Learn more about the ESL admissions pathway
ELP assessment tests
ELP test scores will soon be changing
NAIT will be changing the accepted tests and minimum scores to make satisfying ELP requirements simpler for applicants. Please check the term and dates below to make sure you are reviewing the correct test scores for the term you applied to.
Applicants to Spring/Summer 2023 and Fall 2023
Select your program below to know which ELP assessment tests are accepted and the minimum test score. These test scores are applicable only until September 2023.
Health Science Programs
Assessment test |
Minimum accepted test score until September 2023 |
IELTS Academic |
6.5 overall score, with:
- 6.5 in Speaking
- 6.0 in all other sections
|
NAIT’s ELP Exam |
75% in each section |
NAIT’s Level 6 Courses |
60% in each of these courses:
- NEAP611 and
- NEAP621 and
- NEAP631
|
Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment (CLB) |
8.0 in each section |
TOEFL iBT (Home Edition also accepted) |
- 23 in Speaking
- 20 in all other sections
|
Duolingo |
115 overall score |
The above test scores are applicable to NAIT’s health sciences programs, including:
- Advanced Care Paramedic
- Animal Health Technology
- Laboratory & X-ray Combined
- Dental Assisting
- Dental Technology
- Denturist Technology
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Primary Care Paramedic
- Magnetic Resonance
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Medical Laboratory Assisting
- Medical Laboratory Technology
- Medical Radiologic Technology
- Veterinary Medical Assistant
Respiratory Therapy
Assessment test |
Minimum accepted test score until September 2023 |
IELTS Academic |
- 8.0 in Listening
- 7.0 in all other sections
|
Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment (CLB) |
9.0 in each section |
TOEFL iBT (Home Edition also accepted) |
- 23 in Speaking
- 24 in Reading
- 28 in Listening
- 27 in Writing
|
Bachelor of Applied Information Systems Technology
Applicants to Winter 2024 and beyond
Effective for Winter 2024 and beyond, NAIT will accept these test scores for all programs:
Assessment test |
Minimum accepted test score effective Winter 2024 and beyond |
IELTS Academic |
6.0 in each section |
NAIT’s ELP Exam |
73% or “B” in each section |
NAIT’s Level 6 Courses |
60% in each of these courses:
- NEAP611 and
- NEAP621 and
- NEAP631
|
Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment (CLB) |
8.0 in each section |
CAEL or CAEL Online |
60 overall score |
Cambridge English Language Assessment |
B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: 169 in each section
|
TOEFL iBT
Home Edition is also accepted |
20 in each section |
Duolingo |
115 overall score |
Michigan English Test (MET) |
59 overall score |
University of Alberta |
Completion of EAP 145 (or equivalent) |
International Language Academy of Canada (ILAC) |
Pathway 3.2 or Pathway 3.3 with a minimum grade of 75% |
PTE Academic or PTE Academic online |
58 overall score |
Learn more about NAIT's English Language Proficiency test
Provisional admission – Business Administration
Students who do not meet regular ELP listed above for Business Administration but meet the other academic requirements may qualify for provisional admission with ONE of the lower English Language Proficiency requirements listed below. Provisional admissions allows students to complete their NAIT ESL Level 6 courses within the first 12 months of starting the program.
Assessment test |
Minimum accepted test score |
NAIT’s Level 5 Courses |
60% in each of these courses:
- NEAP511 and
- NEAP521 and
- NEAP531
|
IELTS Academic |
6.0 overall score, with no section below 5.5 |
PTE Academic or PTE Academic online |
50, with no less than 40 in each communicative skill |
TOEFL iBT
Home Edition is also accepted |
74 overall score |
Duolingo |
100 overall score |
Learn more about NAIT's Flexible Learning Options for Business Administration