Language testing for education
Language test we accept
English
- you must take the CELPIP-General test
- we don’t accept the General-LS test for Express Entry
- you must take the General Training option
- we don’t accept the Academic option for Express Entry
French
including:
- compréhension de l’écrit
- compréhension de l’oral
- expression écrite
- expression orale
including:
- compréhension de l’écrit
- compréhension de l’oral
- expression écrite
- expression orale
What happens next
See what language level you have based on your test results in:
- Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)
- Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC)
We will use the test results as proof of your language skills. Your test results must be valid (less than two years old) when you:
- complete your Express Entry profile
- apply for permanent residence
The Express Entry profile is valid for 12 months. Make sure that your language test results are valid for the same time period. If your test results expire soon, you should re-take the test and update your Express Entry profile with your new test results.
Averaging your language score: for people with a physical or mental disability
If you aren’t able to complete one or more sections of your language test because of a disability, you must:
- use the Comprehensive Ranking System – Language calculator tool to find out your score for the abilities you were unable to complete
- input averaged scores based on those you completed
The Comprehensive Ranking System – Language calculator isn’t the same as the Comprehensive Ranking System tool.
Choose a Program :
Federal Skilled Program
First official language (Maximum 24 points) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CLB Level | Ability: Speaking | Ability: Listening | Ability: Reading | Ability: Writing | Points per ability |
7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 |
8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 5 |
9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 6 |
10 and above | 10+ | 10+ | 10+ | 10+ | 6 |
Second official language (4 points if you meet the minimum threshold in all four language abilities) | |||||
CLB Level | Ability: Speaking | Ability: Listening | Ability: Reading | Ability: Writing | Points (total) |
5 and above | 5 – 12 | 5 – 12 | 5 – 12 | 5 – 12 | 4 |
First official language (Maximum 24 points) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CLB Level | Ability: Speaking | Ability: Listening | Ability: Reading | Ability: Writing | Points per ability |
7 | 6.0 | 6.0 – 7.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 4 |
8 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 5 |
9 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6 |
10 and above | 7.5 – 9.0 | 8.5 – 9.0 | 8.0 – 9.0 | 7.5 – 9.0 | 6 |
Second official language (4 points if you meet the minimum threshold in all four language abilities) | |||||
CLB Level | Ability: Speaking | Ability: Listening | Ability: Reading | Ability: Writing | Points (total) |
5 and above | 5.0 – 9.0 | 5.0 – 9.0 | 4.0 – 9.0 | 5.0 – 9.0 | 4 |
First official language (Maximum 24 points) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NCLC Level | Ability: Speaking (expression orale) | Ability: Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Ability: Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Ability: Writing (expression écrite) | Points (per ability) |
7 | 310 – 348 | 249 – 279 | 207 – 232 | 310 – 348 | 4 |
8 | 349 – 370 | 280 – 297 | 233 – 247 | 349 – 370 | 5 |
9 and above | 371+ | 298+ | 248+ | 371+ | 6 |
Second official language (4 points if you meet the minimum threshold in each of the four language abilities) | |||||
NCLC Level | Ability: Speaking (expression orale) | Ability: Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Ability: Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Ability: Writing (expression écrite) | Points (total) |
5 and above | 226 – 371+ | 181 – 298+ | 151 – 248+ | 226 – 371+ | 4 |
First official language (Maximum 24 points) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NCLC Level | Ability: Speaking (expression orale) | Ability: Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Ability: Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Ability: Writing (expression écrite) | Points (per ability) |
7 | 10 – 11 | 458 – 502 | 453 – 498 | 10 – 11 | 4 |
8 | 12 – 13 | 503 – 522 | 499 – 523 | 12 – 13 | 5 |
9 and above | 14+ | 523+ | 524+ | 14+ | 6 |
Second official language (4 points if you meet the minimum threshold in each of the four language abilities) | |||||
NCLC Level | Ability: Speaking (expression orale) | Ability: Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Ability: Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Ability: Writing (expression écrite) | Points (total) |
5 and above | 6+ | 369 – 397+ | 375 – 405+ | 6+ | 4 |
Add your points:
- First official language:
- Speaking + Listening + Reading + Writing = your subtotal
- Second official language:
- Add four points to your subtotal if you meet the minimum level in all four abilities. If you do not, you get 0 points for your second official language.
- Add (1) and (2) together for your total points.
Canadian Experience Class
CELPIP-G | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NOC TEER | CLB Level | Test results for each ability | |||
Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | ||
0 and 1 | 9 and above | 9+ | 9+ | 9+ | 9+ |
0 and 1 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
0 and 1 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
2 and 3 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
2 and 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
IELTS | |||||
NOC TEER | CLB Level | Test results for each ability | |||
Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | ||
0 and 1 | 10 and above | 8.5-9.0 | 8.0-9.0 | 7.5-9.0 | 7.5-9.0 |
0 and 1 | 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
0 and 1 | 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
0 and 1 | 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
2 and 3 | 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
2 and 3 | 5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
TEF Canada | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NOC TEER | NCLC Level | Test results for each ability | |||
Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | ||
0 and 1 | 9 and above | 371+ | 298+ | 248+ | 371+ |
0 and 1 | 8 | 349-370 | 280-297 | 233-247 | 349-370 |
0 and 1 | 7 | 310 – 348 | 249 – 279 | 207 – 232 | 310 – 348 |
2 and 3 | 6 | 271 – 309 | 217 – 248 | 181 – 206 | 271 – 309 |
2 and 3 | 5 | 226 – 270 | 181 – 216 | 151 – 180 | 226 – 270 |
TCF Canada | |||||
NOC TEER | NCLC Level | Test results for each ability | |||
Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | ||
0 and 1 | 10 and above | 16 – 20 | 549 – 699 | 549 – 699 | 16 – 20 |
0 and 1 | 9 | 14 – 15 | 523 – 548 | 524 – 548 | 14 – 15 |
0 and 1 | 8 | 12 – 13 | 503 – 522 | 499 – 523 | 12 – 13 |
0 and 1 | 7 | 10 – 11 | 458 – 502 | 453 – 498 | 10 – 11 |
2 and 3 | 6 | 7 – 9 | 398 – 457 | 406 – 452 | 7 – 9 |
2 and 3 | 5 | 6 | 369 – 397 | 375 – 405 | 6 |
Note: Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) centres are not approved testing agencies for people who apply under the Canadian Experience Class.