Full Research Report - Establishing alignment between PTE Core and the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Miles

This full research report establishes an alignment between PTE Core test scores and the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) to support using PTE Core results as evidence of English proficiency for applications involving Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It derives threshold PTE Core scores for CLB 4 to 10 across listening, reading, speaking, and writing. The study describes standard setting and verification approaches, judge panels, mapping of item demands to CLB competencies, and the analytical procedures used to evaluate alignment quality and agreement.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

AccessFree to download

Purpose

Background

Overview of study

Panel of judges

Method

Standard setting methods

Materials

Training and standardization

Standard setting activity structure

Analysis

Data cleaning and judge agreement

Calculating alignment

Alignment table

Quality of alignment

Standards verification

Initial standards verification

Future plans for standards verification

Conclusions

References

Full Research Report Establishing alignment between PTE Core and the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) Contents 1. Purpose 3 2. Background 3 3. Overview of study 4 4. Panel of judges 4 5. Method 6 5.1 Standard setting methods 6 5.2 Materials 6 5.3 Training and standardization 7 5.4 Standard setting activity structure 8 6. Analysis 9 6.1 Data cleaning and judge agreement 9 6.2 Calculating alignment 10 6.3 Alignment table 11 6.4 Quality of alignment 11 7. Standards verification 15 7.1 Initial standards verification 15 7.2 Future plans for standards verification 18 8. Conclusions 18 9. References 18 3 1. Purpose The purpose of this study is to establish an alignment between PTE Core test scoresand the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) to support the use of PTE Core scores as evidence of English language proficiency for applications with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) . The outcomes of this research identify threshold PTE Core scores for CLB 4 to 10 for each of the four skills: listening, reading, speaking, and writing. 2. Background PTE Core is a computer-based English language test that assesses listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills relevant to general migration contexts, such as working visas and citizenship. The main use of PTE Core test scores is Canadian migration. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires applicants for specific visa classes to demonstrate a specified level English language proficiency as described by the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) . The CLB is the official standard of reference for English language proficiency in Canada. The CLB describes 12 distinct levels of performance along the spectrum of basic, intermediate, and advanced ability (CIC Canada, 2012a) . PTE Core was developed with the Canadian migration context in mind to address CLB levels 4 through 10. The development process included iterative phases of research and development engaging with Canadian English language teachers, academics, stakeholders, and test takers. An initial Test Review Group, which included an independent expert panel of English language academics and teachers, reviewed the design intentionsand assessed construct for each item type and mapped these demands onto the competencies and levels of proficiency articulated in the CLB to define the range of skills and abilities covered by PTE Core item types. This was followed by an intensive mapping activity, in which English language experts mapped each item in the entirety of the item bank to specific CLB skills and levels. These activities informed the development of the test blueprint for PTE Core, ensuring that the appropriate balance of item types and difficulties were represented in the test form structure. Sample test forms were piloted with test takers in focus groups and interviews to gather feedback on the accessibility, difficulty, and relevance of PTE Core to their Canadian migration experience. A large-scale field test was conducted with a representative population of Canadabound test takers to calibrate the item bank, evaluate the measurement properties of the test, and gather test taker performances to be used in standard setting activities. The standards setting and verification activities described in this paper build on these earlier phases of research to establish a strong relationship between PTE Core and the CLB. [pearsonpte.com/research](pearsonpte.com/research) 4 3. Overview of study This paper describes the standard setting activities that underpin the alignment of PTE Core to the CLB. This alignment was established through standard setting activities in 2021, and a verification activity was conducted in 2022 to validate the findings of the initial standard setting. PTE Core launched in 2024, and the alignment with the CLB will continue to be monitored and validated throughout its lifecycle. PTE Core test scores were related to the

FAQs

What is the purpose of this study regarding PTE Core and CLB?

The study establishes an alignment between PTE Core test scores and the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) to support using PTE Core as evidence of English proficiency for IRCC-related applications. It identifies threshold PTE Core scores for CLB 4 to 10 for four skills.

Which skills and CLB levels are covered by the alignment outcomes?

The alignment covers listening, reading, speaking, and writing. The threshold scores are produced for CLB levels 4 through 10.

How were standard setting activities conducted for different skills?

Listening and reading used a modified Angoff method with item difficulty judged relative to CLB, linked to empirical item difficulties. Speaking and writing used a modified Analytic Judgement method based on proficiency demonstrated across multiple responses, linked to empirical test taker abilities.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Miles