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For English, Canada accepts IELTS General, CELPIP-General and PTE Core. For French, Canada accepts TEF-Canada and TCF-Canada. Canada measures and gives immigration points for your official languages proficiency based on Canadian Language Benchmarks / Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (CLB/NCLC). Different immigration programs have different language requirements. CLB system does not directly correspond with your test results. The correspondence between CLB and accepted tests is presented below.
IELTS General (English test) and its correspondence with CLB (right-click on the image and select the option to view the full image in a new window in high resolution).
In the vast majority of programs you get points for every skill separately. Only few programs [provincial ones] have just minimum language requirements without connecting it to the skills, but there your results are calculated based on the lowest score.
If say Canadian Experience Class requires one to have minimum CLB 7 for every skill for those whose work experience falls under TEER 0/1, it means that one must have minimum 6 for each skill if they choose to pass IELTS General.
CELPIP-General (English test) and its correspondence with CLB (right-click on the image and select the option to view the full image in a new window in high resolution).
This test results are much easier to compare with the CLB system since CELPIP tests results correspond directly with the CLB system meaning that one’s tests results reflect the CLB level. CELPIP test was designed specifically with the purpose of direct correspondence with CLB.
If say Canadian Experience Class requires one to have minimum CLB 7 for every skill for those whose work experience falls under TEER 0/1, it means that one must have minimum 7 for each skill if they choose CELPIP.
PTE Core (English test) and its correspondence with CLB (right-click on the image and select the option to view the full image in a new window in high resolution).
These test results are a bit more complex to compare with the CLB system. The best strategy is to simply compare your test results with the table.
If say Canadian Experience Class requires one to have minimum CLB 7 for every skill for those whose work experience falls under TEER 0/1, you just need to check your points and to compare them with this table.
Remember: The higher your language test results, the more points you get.
TEF Canada (French test) and its correspondence with NCLC (right-click on the image and select the option to view the full image in a new window in high resolution).
These test results are much more complex to compare with the NCLC system. The best strategy is to simply compare your test results with the table.
If say Canadian Experience Class requires one to have minimum NCLC 7 for every skill for those whose work experience falls under TEER 0/1, you just need to check your points and to compare them with this table.
TCF Canada (French test) and its correspondence with NCLC (right-click on the image and select the option to view the full image in a new window in high resolution).
These test results are much more complex to compare with the NCLC system. The best strategy is to simply compare your test results with the table.
If say Canadian Experience Class requires one to have minimum NCLC 7 for every skill for those whose work experience falls under TEER 0/1, you just need to check your points and to compare them with this table.
Tips
1. A tip that I got from an IELTS test organizer (but it works for CELPIP and PTE too): if you want to significantly boost your results for writing and speaking components, try to use at least 5 out of 6 below mentioned grammatical structures in every part of your Writing assignment (i.e., there are two parts in IELTS Writing – a letter and an essay – use 5 out of 6 structures in each part), and 4 out of 6 at your Speaking. My personal experience – I got much higher results than ever before. These grammatical structures are:
Infinitive (any of Continuous Present, Passive Infinitive, Perfect Infinitive, or Present Active),
Inversion,
Gerund,
Subjunctive Mood,
Conditionals (one is enough),
Causative Verbs.
I learned the following sentences by heart and did my writing using them as examples of the abovementioned grammatical structures for building my own sentences:
She appears to be sleeping all day.
My car needs to be fixed.
Never had I seen such a drama.
So is Ellie.
I look forward to seeing you again.
It is necessary that they be warned of the rules.
I let John clean the window.
If you step on my foot, it’s going to hurt.
Using this tip will significantly enrich grammatically your writing and speaking and boost your points.
2. Never be afraid of appealing your writing and speaking test results. Half-a-point of your test results can cost you a lot of immigration points. If you get 6.5 on IELTS Writing or Speaking, just appeal. Even if you get less (or more) than that, just appeal. And always appeal both Writing and Speaking at the same time. Yes, it costs money. But if your appeal is successful, they return it, so it’s worth it. I won 2 out of 3 appeals I filed, and my last appeal was decisive for my further immigration points.
Remember: The higher your language test results, the more points you get.
3. If you have some knowledge of any second official language of Canada (say you're fluent in English and average in French, or vice versa), work also on improving your second language since it may boost your immigration points significantly, too. But if you don’t know any of English/French and you are fluent in one of them and you have time, and you feel that second language is the only way to get to Canada, learn it (it is especially true about French). Study hard and you'll get it, but be realistic – it's not possible to master any of these languages to the acceptable level in just two years, that's why I'm saying – if you have time (or if your native language is from the same language family as English or French).
If you need to prepare for a language test, or if you just need to improve your English/French language skills, I highly recommend you to enroll to Calgary Essential Language Solutions (CELS). It is a language school committed to meeting the unique learning needs of internationally trained as well as Canadian-born professionals. Their approach to language instruction goes beyond basic communication skills, fostering both linguistic proficiency and intercultural competence. Their team of high-class professionals offer affordable, high-quality programs designed to immerse students in authentic, real-world materials that reflect Canada's diverse society. Their programs are both online and in-person.
Disclaimer: Provided information is not a legal advice. Every case is unique. We recommend you to discuss your case with a specialist first.
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Last updated October 23, 2025
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