Language tests are one of the eligibility requirements for all 3 programs under Express Entry:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program,
- Federal Skilled Trades Program, and
- Canadian Experience Class.
The minimum requirements for language are different for the 3 programs. You can check the language requirements by program here.
Candidates are awarded CRS points based on their English and French Language ability, but you will have to take IRCC-approved tests to earn those points.
IRCC-Approved Language Tests
There are three approved English tests and two for French – Depending on the test and the location, fees are around $300-$400, and results are usually ready within 2 to 4 weeks.
- IRCC-approved English tests:
- IELTS: you must take the “General Training” option and not the “Academic Training”.
- CELPIP: you must take the “General Test” option and not the “General LS Test” (there are less test locations than IELTS or PTE but it is available 20+ countries).
- PTE Core (Pearson Test of English Core) : you must take the “PTE Core” option.
- IRCC-approved French tests:
- TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation du français pour le Canada).
- TCF Canada (Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada).
Don’t ask for your language test results to be sent directly to IRCC. You will have to upload a scanned copy of your results with your complete application.
Language Test Results Validity
How to Convert your Language Test Results
IELTS General Training
| Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) | IELTS Test Results | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | |
| CLB10 and above | 7.5 - 9.0 | 8.5 - 9.0 | 8.0 - 9.0 | 7.5 - 9.0 |
| CLB9 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| CLB8 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| CLB7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| CLB6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 |
| CLB5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| CLB4 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 |
CELPIP General Test
| Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) | CELPIP Test Results | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | |
| CLB10 and above | 10+ | 10+ | 10+ | 10+ |
| CLB9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| CLB8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| CLB7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| CLB6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| CLB5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| CLB4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
PTE Core
| Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) | PTE Core Test Results | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | |
| CLB10 and above | 88-90 | 90 | 89-90 | 89-90 |
| CLB9 | 78-87 | 88-89 | 82-88 | 84-88 |
| CLB8 | 69-77 | 79-87 | 71-81 | 76-83 |
| CLB7 | 60-68 | 69-78 | 60-70 | 68-75 |
| CLB6 | 51-59 | 60-68 | 50-59 | 59-67 |
| CLB5 | 42-50 | 51-59 | 39-49 | 51-58 |
| CLB4 | 33-41 | 41-50 | 28-38 | 42-50 |
| CLB3 | 24-32 | 32-40 | 18-27 | 34-41 |
TEF Canada
For tests taken after December 10, 2023:
| Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) | TEF Canada Test Results | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension orale) | Reading (comprehension écrite) | Writing (expression écrite) | |
| CLB10 and above | 556+ | 546+ | 546+ | 558+ |
| CLB9 | 518 - 555 | 503 - 545 | 503 - 545 | 512 - 557 |
| CLB8 | 494 - 517 | 462 - 502 | 462 - 502 | 472 - 511 |
| CLB7 | 456 - 493 | 434 - 461 | 434 - 461 | 428 - 471 |
| CLB6 | 422 - 455 | 393 - 433 | 393 - 433 | 379 - 427 |
| CLB5 | 387 - 421 | 352 - 392 | 352 - 392 | 330 - 378 |
| CLB4 | 328 - 386 | 306 - 351 | 306 - 351 | 268 - 329 |
For tests taken between October 1, 2019 and December 10, 2023:
| Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) | TEF Canada Test Results | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension orale) | Reading (comprehension écrite) | Writing (expression écrite) | |
| CLB10 and above | 566 - 699 | 566 - 699 | 566 - 699 | 566 - 699 |
| CLB9 | 533 - 565 | 533 - 565 | 533 - 565 | 533 - 565 |
| CLB8 | 500 - 532 | 500 - 532 | 500 - 532 | 500 - 532 |
| CLB7 | 450 - 499 | 450 - 499 | 450 - 499 | 450 - 499 |
| CLB6 | 400 - 449 | 400 - 449 | 400 - 449 | 400 - 449 |
| CLB5 | 350 - 399 | 350 - 399 | 350 - 399 | 350 - 399 |
| CLB4 | 300 - 349 | 300 - 349 | 300 - 349 | 300 - 349 |
TCF Canada
| Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) | TCF Canada Test Results | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension orale) | Reading (comprehension écrite) | Writing (expression écrite) | |
| CLB10 and above | 16 - 20 | 549 - 699 | 549 - 699 | 16 - 20 |
| CLB9 | 14 - 15 | 523 - 548 | 524 - 548 | 14 - 15 |
| CLB8 | 12 - 13 | 503 - 522 | 499 - 523 | 12 - 13 |
| CLB7 | 10 - 11 | 458 - 502 | 453 - 498 | 10 - 11 |
| CLB6 | 7 - 9 | 398 - 457 | 406 - 452 | 7 - 9 |
| CLB5 | 6 | 369 - 397 | 375 - 405 | 6 |
| CLB4 | 4 - 5 | 331 - 368 | 342 - 374 | 4 - 5 |
Your results, when converted to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB), can be used to calculate your CRS score. Find out in step 5 of this guide how many CRS points your results get you.
Why are CRS Language Points so important?
Language tests are high points earners. You will see a significant rise in your CRS points with higher language scores. So it is wise to practice and give your best for the language tests.
Beside the fact that you will get more CRS language points with a better CLB (for example, for your first language and if you are single, when you improve your score from CLB 7 to 8 in each ability, you will get 6 x 4 = 24 more points), there are other additional points you could get from skill transferability factors and from French abilities:
- You could get 30 additional points if you have CLB 7 in French and CLB 5 in English (in all abilities).
- You could get 15 additional points if have CLB 7 in French and less than CLB 5 in English or no English test results at all.
- You could get up to an additional 100 points from skill transferability factors. For more details on that, you will need to go to the CRS page.
How to Practice your Language Tests
There are lots of books and study sessions available in your country to prepare for the tests. However, they are not free.
For free material, you could check the following resources:
- For IELTS:
- Sample test questions from the IELTS website.
- When you register for an IELTS test, you will be provided with two free mock tests.
- For CELPIP: here.
- For PTE Core: here.
- For TEF:
- With the Français 3.0 app, you have a few free mock exam questions.
- Some tutorials here.
- For TCF: here and here.
Express Entry Step-by-Step Guide
1. Finding your NOC (National Occupational Classification)
To be eligible, you need to first check that you work experience, as defined by the NOC system, is eligible for Express Entry.
2. Getting your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if you credential is not Canadian
You need to get your foreign educational credential assessed by one of IRCC’s approved third parties.
3. Taking your English and/or French language tests - YOU ARE HERE
For all the three Express Entry programs, you need to take English and/or French test(s) and score a number of points to be eligible.
4. Checking your eligibility to Express Entry
Check if you eligible to Express Entry under one of the three economic immigration programs.
5. Calculate your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score
You need next to understand how to calculate your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This score is the one you will be ranked with in the Express Entry pool.
6. Getting into the Express Entry Pool
After taking your language exam(s), and getting your ECA (if your credential is not Canadian), you need to verify your eligibility through the Come to Canada Tool and then create your Express Entry profile to get into the pool of applicants.
7. Receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
If you have enough CRS points, you will get an Invitation to Apply. You will have 60 days to fill additional forms and submit your supporting documents.
8. Your document checklist: Tips and Advice
After receiving you Invitation to Apply (ITA), you will need to upload the requested supporting documents. Get ahead and make sure you will not have a problem gathering them.
9. From Acknowledgement of Receipt (AoR) to Passeport Request (PPR)
After submitting your documents, learn about the process of approval of your application and the different updates that will let you have an idea on where you application is at.
10. Preparing your landing in Canada
Check out our resources regarding Life in Canada, to learn all about the country, its biggest cities, its healthcare and education systems, what things to do first when arriving in Canada, etc.
