The SDS program aims to expedite the processing of study permits for foreign students enrolled in designated educational institutions in Canada (Representational image)
Starting August 10, 2023, students applying through the SDS program can now submit their TOEFL IBT scores as part of their application.
The Educational Testing Service (ETS) said the TOEFL iBT test has been approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for use in the country’s Student Direct Stream (SDS) program for foreign students seeking to study An important milestone. in Canada. The purpose of the SDS program is to expedite the processing of study permits for foreign students enrolled in specified educational institutions in Canada.
According to the IRCC, most SDS applications are processed within 20 calendar days if all eligibility requirements are met. This streamlined approach allows students to obtain their study permits and begin their education in Canada more quickly.
Starting August 10, 2023, students applying through the SDS program can now submit their TOEFL IBT scores as part of their application. ETS expressed its satisfaction with the approval, stressing that the TOEFL iBT test is already accepted by all Canadian universities and recognized globally, being used by more than 12,000 institutions in over 160 countries. Used to be.
In addition to the TOEFL iBT, there is the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic), an English language ability test that has been approved for use in Canada’s SDS program. This expands the options for foreign students who wish to demonstrate their language competence as part of their study permit applications.
This development follows recent updates to ETS to improve the TOEFL IBT test experience. The updated format now has a duration of less than two hours as opposed to a three-hour duration. In addition, the test includes a new writing for academic discussion activity, which replaces the prior independent writing task. To guarantee a more focused and efficient assessment, the reading portion has also been reduced, eliminating unscored test questions.
Updated versions of TOEFL iBT free practice tests and practice sets are now available on the official TOEFL website to help students prepare for the revised test format. The purpose of these tools is to introduce test takers to the new structure and provide important practice material to help them perform better.
With the approval of the TOEFL IBT test, international students can expect a faster application process and a better testing experience, as well as reduced test times and changes to question forms.
“We are thrilled to unlock more opportunities for students to access one of the world’s most desirable study abroad destinations,” said Rohit Sharma, Senior Vice President, Global Higher Education and Workskills at ETS. “Not only will the inclusion of TOEFL benefit the hundreds of thousands of students who take advantage of the SDS route each year, but institutions can feel confident knowing they can access a wider pool of applicants who are looking to demonstrate their skills. English-language proficiency,” he said.
