A minimum score can be a gate.
Federal programs and many provincial streams require minimum results in every ability. Falling short in one component can make the applicant ineligible.
A factor you can improve
Do not treat the first test result as the final result.
Age cannot be changed and work experience takes time to build. Language ability is different. Focused preparation, professional instruction and another test attempt can sometimes produce a meaningful improvement within months.
We normally recommend that clients prepare seriously, consider taking a course and repeat the test when the score is below the realistic target for their immigration plan. The objective is not simply to pass. It is to earn the strongest score that can reasonably be achieved.
Every additional level may matter.
Higher language results can add core CRS points and may increase skill-transferability points when combined with education or foreign work experience.
English and French can both create options.
A second official language can add points. Strong French may also qualify a candidate for additional CRS points and French-language selection.
Our recommended approach
Prepare strategically, then test again if necessary.
Test preparation should be part of the immigration plan—not an afterthought.
Set the right target
Identify the score required for eligibility and the higher score that would make the profile competitive. A passing score may not be a useful score.
Take a preparation course
Even fluent speakers can lose points because they do not understand the test format, timing, marking criteria or expected answer structure.
Work on the weakest ability
Reading, writing, listening and speaking are assessed separately. The weakest result can control eligibility or prevent a higher scoring threshold.
Retake when it can help
Consider another complete test after focused preparation. Use the strongest complete valid result for each official language; do not assume scores from separate sittings can be combined.
Important targetCLB 9
CLB 9 can be a major Express Entry threshold.
Reaching CLB 9 in all four abilities can increase core language points and may raise the maximum available under certain education and foreign-work-experience combinations from 25 to 50 points. The precise improvement depends on the complete profile.
Federal Express Entry
Common minimum language levels
Minimum eligibility is only the starting point. Competitive candidates often need stronger results.
| Program | Occupation / ability | English | French |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class | NOC TEER 0 or 1 · all four abilities | CLB 7 | NCLC 7 |
| Canadian Experience Class | NOC TEER 2 or 3 · all four abilities | CLB 5 | NCLC 5 |
| Federal Skilled Worker Program | First official language · all four abilities | CLB 7 | NCLC 7 |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program | Speaking and listening | CLB 5 | NCLC 5 |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program | Reading and writing | CLB 4 | NCLC 4 |
Results expire
For Express Entry, language results must be less than two years old both when the profile is completed and when the permanent-residence application is submitted.
Both spouses should be assessed
A spouse’s language result can add points. In some families, the spouse may have the stronger overall profile and should be considered as principal applicant.
French can be decisive
NCLC 7 in all four French abilities can add 25 or 50 CRS points, depending on the English result, and may support eligibility for French-language category selection.
Choose the correct test
Only specific test versions are accepted.
Book the immigration-approved version. Similar academic or general-purpose tests may not be accepted.
For Express Entry, IRCC does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake. If another attempt is needed, plan for a complete approved test and leave enough time before an existing result expires.
EnglishCELPIP-General, IELTS General Training or PTE Core
FrenchTEF Canada or TCF Canada
Four abilitiesReading, writing, listening and speaking are scored separately
Score conversion charts
Convert your result to CLB or NCLC.
English results convert to Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). French results convert to Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC).
Always use the score shown on the official report and the conversion instructions for the immigration program involved.
English tests
CLB equivalency charts
Use the score for each individual ability.
CELPIP-General
English · CLB| CLB | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
IELTS General Training
English · CLB| CLB | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 7.5 |
| 9 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 |
| 8 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 |
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 6 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| 5 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| 4 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
General Training only. IELTS Academic and IELTS One Skill Retake are not accepted for Express Entry.
PTE Core
English · CLB| CLB | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 88–90 | 90 | 89–90 | 89–90 |
| 9 | 78–87 | 88–89 | 82–88 | 84–88 |
| 8 | 69–77 | 79–87 | 71–81 | 76–83 |
| 7 | 60–68 | 69–78 | 60–70 | 68–75 |
| 6 | 51–59 | 60–68 | 50–59 | 59–67 |
| 5 | 42–50 | 51–59 | 39–49 | 51–58 |
| 4 | 33–41 | 41–50 | 28–38 | 42–50 |
PTE Core only. PTE Academic is not the approved test for Express Entry.
French tests
NCLC equivalency charts
For Express Entry, follow IRCC’s instructions for the score field shown on the French test report.
TEF Canada
French · NCLCExpress Entry uses the “Équivalence ancien score” values—not the “Score / 699” column.
| NCLC | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 263–300 | 393–450 | 316–360 | 393–450 |
| 9 | 248–262 | 371–392 | 298–315 | 371–392 |
| 8 | 233–247 | 349–370 | 280–297 | 349–370 |
| 7 | 207–232 | 310–348 | 249–279 | 310–348 |
| 6 | 181–206 | 271–309 | 217–248 | 271–309 |
| 5 | 151–180 | 226–270 | 181–216 | 226–270 |
| 4 | 121–150 | 181–225 | 145–180 | 181–225 |
Entering the wrong TEF score field can affect eligibility and may lead to refusal. Review the current IRCC instructions before creating or updating a profile.
TCF Canada
French · NCLC| NCLC | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 549–699 | 16–20 | 549–699 | 16–20 |
| 9 | 524–548 | 14–15 | 523–548 | 14–15 |
| 8 | 499–523 | 12–13 | 503–522 | 12–13 |
| 7 | 453–498 | 10–11 | 458–502 | 10–11 |
| 6 | 406–452 | 7–9 | 398–457 | 7–9 |
| 5 | 375–405 | 6 | 369–397 | 6 |
| 4 | 342–374 | 4–5 | 331–368 | 4–5 |
Express Entry requirements and conversion tables verified against IRCC on September 17, 2026. General information only; requirements can change.
A strategic score target
Find out which language result would materially improve your case.
We assess the entire family, compare both spouses, identify realistic immigration routes and determine whether stronger English, French or both could change the strategy.