Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)

If you are looking to immigrate to Canada, you need to show you can speak one or both of Canada’s official languages, English and French, at a certain level. Immigration officials ask for scores from an approved language test to figure out how well a person speaks a language. They check the scores to see if it meets the CLB (for English language) requirements or not. Hence, the objective of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) is to measure the different test scores. 

Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)

The Canadian Language Benchmarks have 12 levels. These range from simple (CLB 1) to complex (CLB 12). These test one’s skills in: listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the English language.

Canadian Language Benchmarks assess a person’s ability to speak, read, write, and listen to the English language. Basically how well a non-native English speaker is able to converse in English. 

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Why do we need to take a language test for Canada PR?

Canada is a bilingual country, meaning it has two official languages. One is English and the other French. Immigrants coming to the country have to showcase the required amount of fluency in at least one of these languages. 

Moreover, Canadian immigration is point-based. This means candidates who wish to immigrate to Canada have to meet the requirements of the points system. Points are calculated based on various criteria such as your age, work experience, education, and let’s not forget, language proficiency. 

If you are applying to immigrate to Canada through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), you need to score at least 67 out of 100 points. And out of these, the most points you can achieve are for language proficiency. Thus, you can see how important language skills are in Canadian immigration. 

Next, let’s check out which language tests are approved for Canada PR. 

Which language tests are approved for Canada PR?

Canada accepts only a few language test results. The approved language tests for Canada PR are:

1. IELTS General Training (English)
2. CELPIP-General (English)
3. PTE Core (English)
4. TCF Canada (French)
5. TEF Canada (French)

1. IELTS General Training

The International English Language Testing System, in short IELTS, evaluates a person’s English-speaking proficiency. It is one of the most popular language tests for people who want to immigrate to Canada. 

IELTS are conducted in various nations across the world. Those who are taking the IELTS test for Canada PR must take the General Training option. 

Your abilities in speaking, listening, reading, and writing are evaluated through the test. Each ability is given a score between 0 and 9 band score. 

2. CELPIP-General

CELPIP, short for Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program, is one of two tests that can be used to show that you can speak English well enough to move to Canada.

The test looks at how well you can speak, listen, read, and write in English. The test goes on for about 3 hours and presents almost real-life based questions. 

3. PTE Core

PTE Core is the newest English language test approved by IRCC. The test is computer-based and goes on for about 2 hours. The Pearson Test of English test results are approved for immigration, citizenship and work purposes by the IRCC. 

4. TCF Canada

Test de connaissance du français (TCF) is one of the two accepted French language proficiency exams for Canada immigration.

Four skills are assessed on the test: verbal, listening, reading, and writing. The TCF language test lasts for about 2 hours and 47 minutes. 

5. TEF Canada

The Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) is one of the two tests approved by IRCC to test French language proficiency. 

TEF assess your French language skills based on the following abilities:

• Oral Comprehension
• Written Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Written Expression 

Now that we have understood a little about these language tests, next let’s see how Canadian Language Benchmarks evaluates test results.  

How does Canada measure language test results?

To measure language test results, Canada uses:

• For English- CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks)
• For French- NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien)

For economic immigration programs, this is the required CLB/NCLC level one needs to aim for. 

• Federal Skilled Worker Program- CLB/NCLC 7
• Federal Skilled Trades Program–

A. Speaking & Listening: CLB/NCLC 5

B. Reading & Writing: CLB/NCLC 4

• Canadian Experience Class–

A. TEER 0 & 1: CLB/NCLC 7

B. TEER 2 & 3: CLB/NCLC 5

Language Test Score Evaluation

Let’s evaluate scores for Express Entry and other Canadian immigration programs below. 

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program

IELTS General Training

First official language

CLB Level	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing	Points
7	6	6	6	6	4
8	6.5	7.5	6.5	6.5	5
9	7	8	7	7	6
10 and above	7.5-9.0	8.5-9.0	8.0-9.0	7.5-9.0	6

Second official language

CLB Level	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing	Points (total)
5 and above	5.0-9.0	5.0-9.0	4.0-9.0	5.0-9.0	4

CELPIP-General

First official language

CLB Level	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing	Points
7 CELPIP-G	7	7	7	7	4
8 CELPIP-G	8	8	8	8	5
9 CELPIP-G	9	9	9	9	6
10 and above CELPIP-G	10+	10+	10+	10+	6

Second official language

CLB Level	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing	Points (total)
5 and above	5-12	5-12	5-12	5-12	4

PTE Core

First official language

CLB Level	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing	Points
7	68-75	60-70	60-68	69-78	4
8	76-83	71-81	69-77	79-87	5
9	84-88	82-88	78-87	88-89	6
10 and above	89+	89+	88+	90+	6

Second official language

CLB Level	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing	Points (total)
5 and above	51-90	39-90	42-90	51-90	4

TCF Canada

First official language

NCLC Level	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing	Points
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

NCLC Level	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing	Points (total)
5 and above	6+	369-397+	375-405+	6+	4

TEF Canada

First official language

NCLC Level	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing	Points
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

NCLC Level	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing	Points (total)
5 and above	226-371+	181-298+	151-248+	226-371+	4

2. Federal Skilled Trades Program

IELTS General Training

CLB Level	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing
10 and above	7.5-9.0	8.5-9.0	8.0-9.0	7.5-9.0
9	7	8	7	7
8	6.5	7.5	6.5	6.5
7	6	6	6	6
6	5.5	5.5	5	5.5
5	5	5	4	5
4	4	4.5	3.5	4

CELPIP-General

CLB Level	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing
9 and above	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

PTE Core

CLB Level	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing
10 and above	89+	89+	88+	90+
9	84-88	82-88	78-87	88-89
8	76-83	71-81	69-77	79-87
7	68-75	60-70	60-68	69-78
6	59-67	50-59	51-59	60-68
5	51-58	39-49	42-50	51-59
4	42-50	28-38	33-41	41-50

TCF Canada

NCLC Level	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing
10 and above	16-20	549-699	549-699	16-20
9	14-15	523-548	524-548	14-15
8	12-13	503-522	499-523	12-13
7	10-11	458-502	453-498	10-11
6	7-9	398-457	406-452	7-9
5	6	369-397	375-405	6
4	4-5	331-368	342-374	4-5

TEF Canada

NCLC Level	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing
9 and above	371+	298+	248+	371+
8	349-370	280-297	233-247	349-370
7	310-348	249-279	207-232	310-348
6	271-309	217-248	181-206	271-309
5	226-270	181-216	151-180	226-270
4	181-225	145-180	121-150	181-225

3. Canadian Experience Class

IELTS General Training

NOC TEER	CLB Level	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing
0 and 1	10 and above	7.5-9.0	8.5-9.0	8.0-9.0	7.5-9.0
0 and 1	9	7	8	7	7
0 and 1	8	6.5	7.5	6.5	6.5
0 and 1	7	6	6	6	6
2 and 3	6	5.5	5.5	5	5.5
2 and 3	5	5	5	4	5

CELPIP-General

NOC TEER	CLB Level	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

PTE Core

NOC TEER	CLB Level	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing
0 and 1	10 and above	89+	89+	88+	90+
0 and 1	9	84-88	82-88	78-87	88-89
0 and 1	8	76-83	71-81	69-77	79-87
0 and 1	7	68-75	60-70	60-68	69-78
2 and 3	6	59-67	50-59	51-59	60-68
2 and 3	5	51-58	39-49	42-50	51-59

TCF Canada

NOC TEER	NCLC Level	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

TEF Canada

NOC TEER	NCLC Level	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

4. Atlantic Immigration Program

IELTS General Training

CLB level	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
10	8	7.5	8.5	7.5
9	7	7	8	7
8	6.5	6.5	7.5	6.5
7	6	6	6	6
6	5	5.5	5.5	5.5
5	4	5	5	5
4	3.5	4	4.5	4

CELPIP-General

CLB level	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

PTE Core

CLB level	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
3	24-32	32-40	18-27	34-41

TEF Canada

CLB level	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

TCF Canada

CLB level	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

5. Start-up Visa Program

IELTS General Training

CLB level	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
10	8	7.5	8.5	7.5
9	7	7	8	7
8	6.5	6.5	7.5	6.5
7	6	6	6	6
6	5	5.5	5.5	5.5
5	4	5	5	5
4	3.5	4	4.5	4

CELPIP-General

CLB level	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

PTE Core

CLB level	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
3	24-32	32-40	18-27	34-41

TEF Canada

CLB level	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

TCF Canada

CLB level	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

6. Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program

IELTS General Training

CLB level	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
10	8	7.5	8.5	7.5
9	7	7	8	7
8	6.5	6.5	7.5	6.5
7	6	6	6	6
6	5	5.5	5.5	5.5
5	4	5	5	5
4	3.5	4	4.5	4

CELPIP-General

CLB level	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

PTE Core

CLB level	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
3	24-32	32-40	18-27	34-41

TEF Canada

CLB level	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

TCF Canada

CLB level	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

7. Agri-Food Pilot Program

IELTS General Training

CLB level	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
10	8	7.5	8.5	7.5
9	7	7	8	7
8	6.5	6.5	7.5	6.5
7	6	6	6	6
6	5	5.5	5.5	5.5
5	4	5	5	5
4	3.5	4	4.5	4

CELPIP-General

CLB level	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

PTE Core

CLB level	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
3	24-32	32-40	18-27	34-41

TEF Canada

CLB level	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

TCF Canada

CLB level	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

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