IELTS for Canada
IELTS for Canada: General Training, and the bands each CLB level needs
Only IELTS General Training counts for Express Entry. Academic does not, and neither does IELTS One Skill Retake. The conversion below is IRCC's own, and it has one trap worth knowing: at CLB 8 listening sits a full band above the other three.
- Only the option Express Entry accepts
- Every practice result mapped to a CLB level
- Writing and speaking marked by hand
Score conversion
IELTS General Training bands and the CLB level they award
Find the row for the level you need, then read across. All four bands have to be reached, not the average of them. CLB 7 is highlighted because it is the minimum the Federal Skilled Worker Program asks for.
| CLB level | CLB | IELTS General Training band | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing | ||
| CLB 10 and aboveExpress Entry stops awarding more points per ability above CLB 9 | 10 | 8.5 to 9.0 | 8.0 to 9.0 | 7.5 to 9.0 | 7.5 to 9.0 |
| CLB 9Where the per-ability points reach their ceiling | 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| CLB 8Listening sits a full band above the other three at this level | 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| CLB 7 Level highlighted on this pageThe minimum the Federal Skilled Worker Program asks for in all four abilities | 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
Source: the IRCC page on Express Entry language test results. Recheck it before you plan around a band, because the accepted list and the conversions have both changed before.
Scroll the table sideways to see all four abilities.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which IELTS do I need for Express Entry?
IELTS General Training. The Academic option is for university admission and is not accepted by IRCC for Express Entry, and IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted either. Book General Training and check the booking confirmation says so.
What IELTS score is CLB 7?
6.0 in all four abilities. Every ability converts separately and your file is read off the weakest one, so 6.0 across the board is CLB 7 while three 8.0s and a 5.5 is not.
What IELTS score is CLB 9?
7.0 in speaking, reading and writing, and 8.0 in listening. CLB 9 is where the per-ability points reach their ceiling, so it is the level worth pushing for if you have time.
Why is the listening band higher at CLB 8?
Because IRCC's conversion is not symmetrical. CLB 8 needs 6.5 in speaking, reading and writing but 7.5 in listening. Candidates who aim for a flat 6.5 across the board land at CLB 7, not CLB 8.
Is IELTS better than CELPIP for immigration?
Neither is worth more. Both convert to CLB and IRCC reads only the level. CELPIP is Canada-only and reports on the same 1 to 12 scale as CLB, so there is no conversion arithmetic. IELTS is available in more countries. Pick on availability and format.
Next step
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