Minimum scores for each CLB level across all four approved language tests. CLB 4 is the entry threshold; CLB 7+ earns CRS points.
IELTS General Training
International English Language Testing System · Band 0–9
English · Accepted Globally
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
Score breakdown by CLB level
CLB
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
CLB 4 MIN
4.5
3.5
4.0
4.0
CLB 5
5.0
4.0
5.0
5.0
CLB 6
5.5
5.0
5.5
5.5
CLB 7 CRS PTS
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
CLB 8
7.5
6.5
6.5
6.5
CLB 9
8.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
CLB 10 MAX PTS
8.5
8.0
7.5
7.5
Scale
0 – 9
Half-band increments
Language
English
First & second official
Valid for
2 years
From test date
Min CLB
CLB 4
All four skills required
Note: IELTS Academic is NOT accepted for Express Entry — only General Training. Each skill is assessed independently; all four must meet the CLB threshold.
CELPIP-G
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program · Score 1–12
English · Canada-specific
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
Score breakdown by CLB level
CLB
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
CLB 4 MIN
4
4
4
4
CLB 5
5
5
5
5
CLB 6
6
6
6
6
CLB 7 CRS PTS
7
7
7
7
CLB 8
8
8
8
8
CLB 9
9
9
9
9
CLB 10 MAX PTS
10
10
10
10
Scale
1 – 12
Whole number scores
Language
English
Canadian context
Valid for
2 years
From test date
Mapping
1 : 1
Score = CLB level
Note: CELPIP-G is the only test where CELPIP score equals CLB level exactly (e.g. score 7 = CLB 7). This makes it the easiest to interpret. Only the General test is accepted — not CELPIP-General LS.
TEF Canada
Test d'évaluation de français · Raw point ranges
French · Second Official Language
Listening (0–360)
Reading (0–300)
Writing (0–450)
Speaking (0–450)
Score breakdown by CLB level
CLB
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
CLB 4 MIN
145–180
121–150
181–225
181–225
CLB 5
181–216
151–180
226–270
226–270
CLB 6
217–248
181–205
271–309
271–309
CLB 7 CRS PTS
249–279
206–232
310–348
310–348
CLB 8
280–297
233–247
349–370
349–370
CLB 9
298–315
248–262
371–392
371–392
CLB 10 MAX PTS
316–360
263–300
393–450
393–450
Listening
0–360
60 items
Reading
0–300
50 items
Writing
0–450
2 tasks
Speaking
0–450
5 tasks
Note: TEF Canada is different from the standard TEF exam. Ensure you register for TEF Canada specifically when applying for Express Entry. Scores shown are the lower bound of each CLB band.
TCF Canada
Test de connaissance du français · Mixed scale
French · Second Official Language
Listening (0–699)
Reading (0–699)
Writing (0–20)
Speaking (0–20)
Score breakdown by CLB level
CLB
Listening
Reading
Writing (0–20)
Speaking (0–20)
CLB 4 MIN
331–368
342–374
4–5
4–5
CLB 5
369–397
375–405
6–7
6–7
CLB 6
398–457
406–452
8–9
8–9
CLB 7 CRS PTS
458–502
453–498
10–11
10–11
CLB 8
503–522
499–523
12–13
12–13
CLB 9
523–548
524–548
14–15
14–15
CLB 10 MAX PTS
549–699
549–699
16–20
16–20
Listening
0–699
Receptive scale
Reading
0–699
Receptive scale
Writing
0–20
Productive scale
Speaking
0–20
Productive scale
Note: TCF Canada uses two different scales — Listening and Reading are scored 0–699 while Writing and Speaking are scored 0–20. Always register for TCF Canada, not the standard TCF.