The Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) are a national standard in Canada that provides a detailed description of language proficiency in English or French as a second language for adults. Crucially, it’s not just about general fluency, but about functional communication in real-life contexts. The CLB framework outlines twelve benchmark levels, progressing from basic to advanced abilities across four skill areas: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Each level describes what a learner can do with the language in various situations, making it a practical tool for immigration, employment, education, and settlement services. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses the CLB to assess language proficiency for immigration programs, while employers, educational institutions, and language training programs rely on it for admissions, hiring, and curriculum development. The CLB’s focus on practical language skills makes it a valuable resource for newcomers integrating into Canadian society
CELPIP (General)
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 |
IELTS (General Training)
IELTS (General Training)
CLB level |
Reading |
Writing |
Listening |
Speaking |
10 |
8.0 |
7.5 |
8.5 |
7.5 |
9 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
8.0 |
7.0 |
8 |
6.5 |
6.5 |
7.5 |
6.5 |
7 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6 |
5.0 |
5.5 |
5.5 |
5.5 |
5 |
4.0 |
5.0 |
5.0 |
5.0 |
4 |
3.5 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.0 |
PTE Core
Pearson – PTE Core Test score equivalency chart
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
Note: For applications received through the Express Entry (EE) system, language level will be based on the “Équivalence ancien score” (previous score equivalency) which is the Test score equivalency chart for tests taken before September 30, 2019.
Applicants are instructed to only enter the scores for each language ability from that column into their EE electronic applications for permanent residence (e-APR) regardless of the date the test was taken. All other TEF Canada score equivalency charts are not compatible with our system at this time.
The attestation de résultats (statement of results) will also include test results in the column marked “Score / 699.” If these results were entered into the Express Entry profile, it may produce an incorrect NCLC equivalency.
If you took your test after December 10, 2023
If you took your test after December 10, 2023
NCLC level |
Reading |
Writing |
Listening |
Speaking |
10 |
546-699 |
558-699 |
546-699 |
556-699 |
9 |
503-545 |
512-557 |
503-545 |
518-555 |
8 |
462-502 |
472-511 |
462-502 |
494-517 |
7 |
434-461 |
428-471 |
434-461 |
456-493 |
6 |
393-433 |
379-427 |
393-433 |
422-455 |
5 |
352-392 |
330-378 |
352-392 |
387-421 |
4 |
306-351 |
268-329 |
306-351 |
328-386 |
If you took your test between October 1, 2019 and December 10, 2023
If you took your test between October 1, 2019 and December 10, 2023
NCLC level |
Reading |
Writing |
Listening |
Speaking |
10 |
566-699 |
566-699 |
566-699 |
566-699 |
9 |
533-565 |
533-565 |
533-565 |
533-565 |
8 |
500-532 |
500-532 |
500-532 |
500-532 |
7 |
450-499 |
450-499 |
450-499 |
450-499 |
6 |
400-449 |
400-449 |
400-449 |
400-449 |
5 |
350-399 |
350-399 |
350-399 |
350-399 |
4 |
300-349 |
300-349 |
300-349 |
300-349 |
If you took your test before September 30, 2019
If you took your test before September 30, 2019
NCLC 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
TCF Canada
NCLC 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 |
*Content from www.canada.com