the cael

What the cael does

CAEL operates the Canadian Academic English Language Test, an integrated English-language proficiency assessment designed for international students applying to Canadian universities and colleges. The test is developed and delivered by Paragon Testing Enterprises, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of British Columbia (UBC), and is positioned around authentic Canadian academic content rather than general English proficiency. The core product is a single ~3.5-hour assessment with five integrated components (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing, and an integrated task), scored on a 10-90 band scale with results delivered within 8 business days. CAEL is offered in two delivery modes: CAEL Online, a remotely proctored at-home test delivered through Prometric's ProProctor platform with live human proctoring and (from September 4, 2026) a mandatory second camera, and CAEL at a Test Centre, offered across 25+ cities globally. Speaking and Writing responses are scored by expert human raters in Canada.

The product portfolio includes free preparation resources (a sample test, 15+ YouTube courses, the CAEL Live weekly broadcast) and paid offerings (CAEL Study Guide, Practice Tests, CAEL Accelerate, CAEL Focus, and CAEL Practice Test Plus), packaged together as the Academic Success Bundle valued at over $400. CAEL also runs a scholarship program with prizes up to CAD 15,000 to drive registrations. CAEL Online is available in 13 countries (Canada, USA, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, India, UAE, and Indonesia, with the Philippines recently added), and the company markets through Weibo and WeChat for the China corridor alongside Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Distribution relies on direct-to-consumer online registration, an agent network, and partnerships with Canadian universities and colleges that accept CAEL scores for admissions.

CAEL's revenue model is primarily transactional test fees (CAD 290 in Canada, effective October 2024, up from CAD 280), supplemented by re-evaluation fees (CAD 65 per component), transfer fees (CAD 50 after the first free transfer), paid prep materials, and bundle sales. Pricing is publicly disclosed and operates on a pay-as-you-go basis for tests. The company is privately held under UBC, with no external funding rounds disclosed. Donald Wehrung serves as President and CEO of Paragon Testing Enterprises, and the company is headquartered in Vancouver, BC.

Name

the cael

Legal name

Paragon Testing Enterprises

Website

https://cael.ca

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CAEL operates an integrated English proficiency test for international students applying to Canadian universities and colleges, delivered online and at test centers in 13+ countries by Paragon Testing Enterprises, a subsidiary of the University of British Columbia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

English Language Proficiency Testing

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Assessment Platforms & Computer-Based Testing Authorities (EDADAFAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Remote & Live Online Proctoring Platforms (EDAFADAB), Test Center Management & Onsite Proctoring Systems (EDAFADAJ)

Keywords

• English language proficiency testing
• Academic English assessment
• Canadian university admissions
• Standardized language testing
• Remote proctored testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Test Registration Fees: One-time test registration fees charged to individual test takers for CAEL Test sittings. Fees vary by location with CAD 290.00 for sittings in Canada.
2. Re-evaluation Fees: Fees charged for re-evaluation of test components at $65.00 CAD per component.
3. Transfer Fees: Fees for transferring test registration: first transfer free, subsequent transfers at $50 CAD.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CAEL provides the Canadian Academic English Language Test, an integrated English language proficiency assessment that evaluates reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills in an authentic Canadian academic context. The test is delivered either online (remotely proctored at home via ProProctor) or at designated test centres, and is accepted by Canadian universities and colleges for international student admissions. Supporting revenue lines include paid preparation materials (practice tests, study guides, online courses) bundled into an Academic Success Bundle.

Product overview

CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Test) is a single integrated English language proficiency assessment, developed by Paragon Testing Enterprises (a subsidiary of the University of British Columbia). The core offering is the CAEL Test, available in two delivery modes: CAEL Online (at-home, remotely proctored via ProProctor) and CAEL at a Test Centre. The test is approximately 3.5 hours long and evaluates academic English through five integrated components (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing, and an integrated task), providing band scores on a 10–90 scale within 8 business days. Preparation resources include free offerings (CAEL Sample Test, CAEL Live webinars, free online courses) and paid products (CAEL Study Guide, CAEL Practice Tests, CAEL Accelerate, CAEL Focus, CAEL Practice Test Plus), which are also bundled together in the Academic Success Bundle. CAEL also runs a Scholarship Program for students studying in Canada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Academic Success Bundle: Discount bundle offering 25% off CAEL Test plus comprehensive prep materials including practice tests, CAEL Accelerate, CAEL Focus, and CAEL Practice Test Plus, valued at $400+.
• CAEL Scholarship Program

Products and services

• CAEL Test
• CAEL Online
• CAEL at a Test Centre
• CAEL Sample Test
• Academic Success Bundle
• CAEL Study Guide
• CAEL Scholarship Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Results available in 8 business days
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• ProProctor (Prometric)coreTechnology or IntegrationProProctor provides the remote proctoring technology for CAEL Online tests. Test takers download and launch the ProProctor application to take their proctored tests. ProProctor's readiness agents conduct identity verification and security checks during the test session.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/CAELtest
• Facebookfacebook.com/CAELtest
• Instagraminstagram.com/caeltest

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about the cael