Language test results
On this page
- Take a language test
- Language tests we accept
- Language requirements
- How long your results are valid for
- Check your language level
Take a language test
You must prove your language skills by taking an approved language test.
To do this, you must:
- schedule your test with an agency approved by IRCC and pay the costs
- enter the test results into your Express Entry profile (and the language test result form or certificate number and test PIN, if the system asks for it)
If you can't complete your language test because of a disability
If you have a disability and you aren’t able to complete one or more sections of your language test:
- You must get your averaged scores through our language averaging tool for the abilities you weren’t able to complete (if the language organization didn’t give you averaged scores directly).
- Use these averaged scores in your profile in the Express Entry profile builder.
- We’ll verify both the averaged scores and the language test results you submit.
Language tests we accept
You can take any of these approved language tests:
English | French |
---|---|
CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
|
TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français |
IELTS: International English Language Testing System
|
TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français |
PTE Core: Pearson Test of English
|
Language requirements
To measure your English or French levels, we use:
- Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) for English
- Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) for French
Canadian Experience Class
The skills you need will depend on the group your job is classified in under the National Occupational Classification system (NOC).
Minimum level for all 4 abilities
NOC TEER | English | French |
---|---|---|
TEER 0 or 1 | CLB 7 | NCLC 7 |
TEER 2 or 3 | CLB 5 | NCLC 5 |
Federal Skilled Worker Program
First official language
Language | Minimum level for all 4 abilities |
---|---|
English | CLB 7 |
French | NCLC7 |
Second official language
Minimum level of CLB or NCLC 5.
Federal Skilled Trades Program
Language | Abilities | Minimum level |
---|---|---|
English | Speaking and listening | CLB 5 |
English | Reading and writing | CLB 4 |
French | Speaking and listening | NCLC 5 |
French | Reading and writing | NCLC 4 |
How long your results are valid for
Your test results must be less than 2 years old when you:
- complete your Express Entry profile, and
- submit your application for permanent residence
If you’ve been invited to apply
Check that your language test results will still be valid when you plan to apply.
If you haven’t been invited to apply
You may want to make sure your results are valid for the rest of the time you’ll be in the pool.
If your results will expire before you can apply, you should:
- be tested again, or
- apply before your test results expire, or
- decline the invitation and go back into the pool to be considered in the future
If you apply for permanent residence with language test results that have expired, we’ll refuse your application.
Check your language level
You can use your test results to find your CLB level.
Federal Skilled Worker Program
CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
First official language (maximum 24 points)
CLB Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | Points per ability |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 (4 points if you meet the minimum threshold in each of the 4 language abilities)
CLB Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | Points (total) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 and above | 5-12 | 5-12 | 5-12 | 5-12 | 4 |
How to calculate your points
- First official language:
- Speaking + Listening + Reading + Writing = your subtotal
-
Second official language:
- Add 4 points to your subtotal if you meet the minimum level in all 4 abilities. If you do not, you get 0 points for your second official language.
- Add (1) and (2) together for your total points.
Federal Skilled Worker Program
IELTS: International English Language Testing System
First official language (maximum 24 points)
CLB Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | Points per ability |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 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 each of the 4 language abilities)
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 |
How to calculate your points
- First official language:
- Speaking + Listening + Reading + Writing = your subtotal
-
Second official language:
- Add 4 points to your subtotal if you meet the minimum level in all 4 abilities. If you do not, you get 0 points for your second official language.
- Add (1) and (2) together for your total points.
Federal Skilled Worker Program
PTE Core: Pearson Test of English
First official language (maximum 24 points)
CLB Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | Points per ability |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 (4 points if you meet the minimum threshold in each of the 4 language abilities)
CLB Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | Points (total) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 and above | 51-90 | 39-90 | 42-90 | 51-90 | 4 |
Federal Skilled Worker Program
TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français
Your language level will be based on the “Équivalence ancien score” (previous score equivalency).
- Only enter the scores for each language ability from that column.
- If you don’t enter the correct scores, we may refuse your application.
- Your attestation de résultats (statement of results) will also include test results in the column marked “Score / 699.” Don’t enter these results in your Express Entry profile. They aren’t compatible with our system at this time.
If you took a test from TEF Canada between December 11, 2023 and May 6, 2024
If you took a French language test between December 11, 2023 and May 6, 2024 from TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français, you may need to take action in your Express Entry profile.
CCI Paris Ile-de-France administers the TEF Canada language test for immigration to Canada. As part of ongoing improvements to the way French language is evaluated, CCI temporarily modified the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) to reflect raw scores.
This change has been reverted back to the Express Entry scoring grid we currently use.
NCLC Level | Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Writing (expression écrite) |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 393-450 | 316-360 | 263-300 | 393-450 |
9 | 371-392 | 298-315 | 248-262 | 371-392 |
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 |
If you were impacted by this scoring change, you’ll have received an email message from the CCI, notifying you of this change, and your updated score.
- You’ll need to update your Express Entry profile with this new scoring information.
- If you don’t, and you’re invited to apply, it could cause your application to be refused based on incorrect language scores.
If you’ve been invited to apply but have not yet submitted your application, please update your scores. If you find that you no longer meet the criteria, you should decline your invitation for that round.
If you’ve already applied for permanent residence, we may contact you to provide your updated test scores.
First official language (maximum 24 points)
NCLC Level | Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | 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 4 language abilities)
NCLC Level | Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Writing (expression écrite) | Points (total) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 and above | 226-371+ | 181-298+ | 151-248+ | 226-371+ | 4 |
The testing organization will issue you a copy of TEF Canada electronic test results. The results will include:
- your score
- the NCLC equivalence level you achieved for each test component
How to calculate your points
- First official language:
- Speaking + Listening + Reading + Writing = your subtotal
-
Second official language:
- Add 4 points to your subtotal if you meet the minimum level in all 4 abilities. If you do not, you get 0 points for your second official language.
- Add (1) and (2) together for your total points.
Federal Skilled Worker Program
TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français
First official language (maximum 24 points)
NCLC Level | Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | 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 4 language abilities)
NCLC Level | Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Writing (expression écrite) | Points (total) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 and above | 6+ | 369-397+ | 375-405+ | 6+ | 4 |
How to calculate your points
- First official language:
- Speaking + Listening + Reading + Writing = your subtotal
-
Second official language:
- Add 4 points to your subtotal if you meet the minimum level in all 4 abilities. If you do not, you get 0 points for your second official language.
- Add (1) and (2) together for your total points.
Federal Skilled Trades Program
CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
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 |
Federal Skilled Trades Program
IELTS: International English Language Testing System
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 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
8 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 |
5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 |
4 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 |
Federal Skilled Trades Program
PTE Core: Pearson Test of English
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 |
Federal Skilled Trades Program
TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français
Your language level will be based on the “Équivalence ancien score” (previous score equivalency).
- Only enter the scores for each language ability from that column.
- If you don’t enter the correct scores, we may refuse your application.
- Your attestation de résultats (statement of results) will also include test results in the column marked “Score / 699.” Don’t enter these results in your Express Entry profile. They aren’t compatible with our system at this time.
If you took a test from TEF Canada between December 11, 2023 and May 6, 2024
If you took a French language test between December 11, 2023 and May 6, 2024 from TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français, you may need to take action in your Express Entry profile.
CCI Paris Ile-de-France administers the TEF Canada language test for immigration to Canada. As part of ongoing improvements to the way French language is evaluated, CCI temporarily modified the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) to reflect raw scores.
This change has been reverted back to the Express Entry scoring grid we currently use.
NCLC Level | Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Writing (expression écrite) |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 393-450 | 316-360 | 263-300 | 393-450 |
9 | 371-392 | 298-315 | 248-262 | 371-392 |
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 |
If you were impacted by this scoring change, you’ll have received an email message from the CCI, notifying you of this change, and your updated score.
- You’ll need to update your Express Entry profile with this new scoring information.
- If you don’t, and you’re invited to apply, it could cause your application to be refused based on incorrect language scores.
If you’ve been invited to apply but have not yet submitted your application, please update your scores. If you find that you no longer meet the criteria, you should decline your invitation for that round.
If you’ve already applied for permanent residence, we may contact you to provide your updated test scores.
NCLC Level | Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Writing (expression écrite) |
---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
The testing organization will issue you a copy of TEF Canada electronic test results. The results will include:
- your score
- the NCLC equivalence level you achieved for each test component
Federal Skilled Trades Program
TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français
NCLC Level | Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Writing (expression écrite) |
---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
Canadian Experience Class
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) centres are not approved testing agencies for people who apply under the Canadian Experience Class.
CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
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 |
Canadian Experience Class
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) centres are not approved testing agencies for people who apply under the Canadian Experience Class.
IELTS: International English Language Testing System
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 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
0 and 1 | 8 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
0 and 1 | 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
2 and 3 | 6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 |
2 and 3 | 5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 |
Canadian Experience Class
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) centres are not approved testing agencies for people who apply under the Canadian Experience Class.
PTE Core: Pearson Test of English
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 |
Canadian Experience Class
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) centres are not approved testing agencies for people who apply under the Canadian Experience Class.
TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français
Your language level will be based on the “Équivalence ancien score” (previous score equivalency).
- Only enter the scores for each language ability from that column.
- If you don’t enter the correct scores, we may refuse your application.
- Your attestation de résultats (statement of results) will also include test results in the column marked “Score / 699.” Don’t enter these results in your Express Entry profile. They aren’t compatible with our system at this time.
If you took a test from TEF Canada between December 11, 2023 and May 6, 2024
If you took a French language test between December 11, 2023 and May 6, 2024 from TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français, you may need to take action in your Express Entry profile.
CCI Paris Ile-de-France administers the TEF Canada language test for immigration to Canada. As part of ongoing improvements to the way French language is evaluated, CCI temporarily modified the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) to reflect raw scores.
This change has been reverted back to the Express Entry scoring grid we currently use.
NCLC Level | Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Writing (expression écrite) |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 393-450 | 316-360 | 263-300 | 393-450 |
9 | 371-392 | 298-315 | 248-262 | 371-392 |
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 |
If you were impacted by this scoring change, you’ll have received an email message from the CCI, notifying you of this change, and your updated score.
- You’ll need to update your Express Entry profile with this new scoring information.
- If you don’t, and you’re invited to apply, it could cause your application to be refused based on incorrect language scores.
If you’ve been invited to apply but have not yet submitted your application, please update your scores. If you find that you no longer meet the criteria, you should decline your invitation for that round.
If you’ve already applied for permanent residence, we may contact you to provide your updated test scores.
NOC TEER | NCLC Level | Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Writing (expression écrite) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
The testing organization will issue you a copy of TEF Canada electronic test results. The results will include:
- your score
- the NCLC equivalence level you achieved for each test component
Canadian Experience Class
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) centres are not approved testing agencies for people who apply under the Canadian Experience Class.
TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français
NOC TEER | NCLC Level | Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Writing (expression écrite) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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