Partnering with India-based assessment company MeritTrac Services, Paragon will open a number of locations in India where students will be able to sit the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program – General and the Canadian Academic English Language Test – Computer Edition exams.

“We are excited that test takers will now have greater access to our high-quality tests”

“Previously, we had one location in Chandigarh, but have had a lot of demand from test-takers in India requesting additional locations,” said Paragon CEO and president Donald Wehrung.

“We are excited that test-takers will now have greater access to our high-quality tests to prove their English language proficiency for immigration to Canada or study in Canada.”

In addition to the location in Chandigarh, which has been running since September 2018, the partnership with MeritTrac has resulted with one site in New Delhi already opening in February 2020 and administering the CELPIP-General Test. It will soon start delivering CAEL CE as well.

“We plan to open several more locations with MeritTrac in the next year. However, we understand the seriousness of COVID19 and will most likely delay opening any new test centres in India until it is safe to do so,” Juliana Ramza Paragon’s manager of corporate relations said.

“We are very pleased to partner with MeritTrac to expand the availability of the CELPIP-General and CAEL CE Tests in India,” Wehrung added.

CELPIP-General is a general English test for immigration purposes and professional accreditation, while the CAEL CE “provides an authentic representation of English language use in a Canadian academic context”.

The CAEL CE is accepted by more than 180 Canadian universities and colleges for admission to their academic programs. India saw a 35% year-on-year increase for study permits to Canada in 2019.

“We are delighted to deliver the CELPIP-General and CAEL CE Tests, and we are confident that they will be successful,” Shawn Lepper, national director of Business Development at MeritTrac added.

“Test takers at our test centre will experience a professional computerised testing environment.”