By Zengyan Sun, RCIC-IRB · Last verified October 7, 2026
Every IRCC program measures your English or French ability using the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) — not your raw test score. Here's how the two connect, skill by skill.
The Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) is a 1–12 scale IRCC uses to compare results across different English tests. For French, the equivalent scale is called NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens).
Your CLB is scored separately for each of the four skills — speaking, listening, reading, and writing — using your test provider's official conversion chart. A stronger reading score doesn't offset a weaker writing score: for CRS purposes, each skill is counted on its own.
| Language | Accepted tests |
|---|---|
| English | IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core |
| French | TEF Canada, TCF Canada |
CELPIP has the most direct relationship to CLB of the three English tests — your CELPIP level and your CLB level are the same number for each skill (a CELPIP 9 in Speaking is CLB 9 in Speaking). IELTS and PTE Core both require looking up a separate band-to-CLB conversion for each skill, shown below.
Use the band score you received for each skill on your Test Report Form.
| CLB Level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 4 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| CLB 5 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| CLB 6 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| CLB 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| CLB 8 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 |
| CLB 9 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 |
| CLB 10 and above | 8.0 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 7.5 |
Note IELTS Listening jumps to 7.5 for CLB 8 — a common surprise, since it's a bigger jump than the other three skills at that level. IELTS Academic scores are not accepted for Express Entry.
Source: IRCC language test equivalency charts, checked October 2026. IRCC's charts stop at CLB 10, because the Comprehensive Ranking System gives its maximum language points at CLB 10.
CELPIP converts directly: your CELPIP level for each skill (M, or 1 through 12) is the same as your CLB level for that skill. A CELPIP 9 in Speaking is CLB 9 in Speaking — no lookup table needed.
Our team includes a Certified CELPIP Instructor (Level 2). If you'd like help raising your score before you test, reach out at info@ziwen.ca or +1 (250) 222-6022.
PTE Core is scored 10–90 per skill. Look up each skill separately:
| CLB Level | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 and above | 89+ | 88+ | 89+ | 90+ |
| CLB 9 | 82–88 | 78–87 | 84–88 | 88–89 |
| CLB 8 | 71–81 | 69–77 | 76–83 | 79–87 |
| CLB 7 | 60–70 | 60–68 | 68–75 | 69–78 |
| CLB 6 | 50–59 | 51–59 | 59–67 | 60–68 |
| CLB 5 | 39–49 | 42–50 | 51–58 | 51–59 |
| CLB 4 | 28–38 | 33–41 | 42–50 | 41–50 |
Source: IRCC Express Entry language test equivalency charts, checked October 2026.
These ranges apply to TEF Canada tests taken after December 10, 2023, when the scoring scale changed. Each skill is now scored out of 699.
| NCLC Level | Reading (Compr. écrite) | Writing (Expr. écrite) | Listening (Compr. orale) | Speaking (Expr. orale) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCLC 10 and above | 546–699 | 558–699 | 546–699 | 556–699 |
| NCLC 9 | 503–545 | 512–557 | 503–545 | 518–555 |
| NCLC 8 | 462–502 | 472–511 | 462–502 | 494–517 |
| NCLC 7 | 434–461 | 428–471 | 434–461 | 456–493 |
| NCLC 6 | 393–433 | 379–427 | 393–433 | 422–455 |
| NCLC 5 | 352–392 | 330–378 | 352–392 | 387–421 |
| NCLC 4 | 306–351 | 268–329 | 306–351 | 328–386 |
Source: IRCC language test equivalency charts, checked October 2026.
TCF Canada uses a different scoring format from TEF Canada: reading and listening are scored out of 699, while writing and speaking are scored out of 20.
| NCLC Level | Reading (Compr. écrite) | Writing (Expr. écrite) | Listening (Compr. orale) | Speaking (Expr. orale) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCLC 10 and above | 549–699 | 16–20 | 549–699 | 16–20 |
| NCLC 9 | 524–548 | 14–15 | 523–548 | 14–15 |
| NCLC 8 | 499–523 | 12–13 | 503–522 | 12–13 |
| NCLC 7 | 453–498 | 10–11 | 458–502 | 10–11 |
| NCLC 6 | 406–452 | 7–9 | 398–457 | 7–9 |
| NCLC 5 | 375–405 | 6 | 369–397 | 6 |
| NCLC 4 | 342–374 | 4–5 | 331–368 | 4–5 |
Source: IRCC Express Entry language test equivalency charts, checked October 2026.
Meeting the minimum — CLB 7 for the Federal Skilled Worker Program — gets a profile into Express Entry, but CRS points scale sharply from there. For a candidate without a spouse, moving from CLB 7 to CLB 9 in all four skills raises first-language points from 68 to 124, and CLB 9 also unlocks the highest Skill Transferability points tied to language ability. For many applicants, raising a CLB level is the single fastest way to move a CRS score.
Our team includes a Certified CELPIP Instructor (Level 2) — focused prep can raise your score and move you closer to your Express Entry goal.
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