I would think it is best to save your language test at least until after you have passed your Evaluating Exam. The main reason for this can be found in the NAPRA’s document: "Language Proficiency Requirements for Licensure as a Pharmacist in Canada"

"Prior language proficiency test results should be accepted by the pharmacy regulatory authority as valid if completed within two years prior to commencement of practical training."

This means the pharmacy association in the province you will seek licensure will only accept your test results if they are no more than two years old when you are due to start your internship. As such, by taking the test before your Evaluating Exam you will be putting your self under pressure to complete all the exams within this time frame. I do not see any reason why you should put yourself under this kind of pressure.

By all means work and study hard to improve your English at any point before of after the exams, but I would recommend you wait until after your Qualifying Exams to take a language proficiency test.

As for which language proficiency test is easier, well that, I guess, depends on how good your English is. Every province has slightly different requirements of which test you take and what scores they expect. Before choosing which language test to take, look at the fluency requirements for the province you plan to practice in (these can generally be found under the licensing and registration section of the provincial pharmacy associations web site). I took the computer based TOEFL-iBT because it involved one exam that could be completed in one sitting. English is my first language and while I had no problem comprehending any of the exam it was still quite stressful as it was 4 hours long and responses were required within certain time limits.

If anyone else has any experience with the various language proficiency tests we would welcome your comments.

Mat :)