Deniz is from the Turks and Caicos Islands. Despite English being his mother tongue language, he has heard he needs to take an English test to immigrate to Canada. Of course, Canada accepts two English tests; IELTS General and CELPIP General. Unfortunately, their expectations are confusing to Deniz. They say you need to have such and such CLB score. However, the test Deniz is taking is IELTS. He wonders what the relationship between IELTS band scores and CLB levels is. In fact, Deniz is looking for an equivalency table that compares CLB vs IELTS.
Our IELTS to CLB calculator will help you convert your language test results from IELTS scores to CLB level using the language test equivalency charts provided by IRCC. The CLB is the most important tool for your Canada Permanent Residency application. The CLBs are calculated on a scale of CLB 1 to CLB 10. As the level of CLB increases, the IELTS score in correspondence to CLB also increases. IELTS score calculator instantly display IELTS listening and reading test score on a nine-band scale. How many questions did you get correct in the exam? Input it into the IELTS score calculator. And see your approximate band scores. The IELTS listening test and reading test contains 40 questions. Each correct answer is awarded one mark and scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS nine. IELTS / CELPIP / TEF to CLB Convertor Convert your score Reading: Writing: Listening: Speaking: IELTSCELPIPTEF CLB Score: IELTS to CLB CELPIP to CLB TEF to CLB IELTS to CLB CLB Description IELTS Listening IELTS Reading IELTS Writing IELTS Speaking 1 Initial Basic 1 1 1 1 2 Developing Basic 2 1.5 2 2 3. You can use the CLB calculator in order to convert your CBLs score to its IELTS equivalent. IELTS and TEF are recognized as official proof of language proficiency by IRCC when you apply for immigration programs or certain visa applications for Canada. You can calculate your score easily.
If you intend to immigrate to Canada, you will likely need to take a language test. Canadian immigration authorities currently accept the following tests:
- CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (Only CELPIP General)
- IELTS: International English Language Testing System (Only IELTS General)
- TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français
- TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français
The last two tests are for those who know French. However, if you intend to prove your knowledge of the English language, you need to take one of the first two tests: CELPIP General or IELTS General. Unfortunately, the first test is not available in most countries, so you will most likely end up taking the IELTS test.
What is IELTS?
IELTS stands for the International English Language Testing System. Three entities own IELTS, namely:
- The British Council,
- IDP: IELTS Australia and
- Cambridge Assessment English.
They offer this test in two major formats: Academic and General. Of course, the former is for getting admission to English speaking schools. However, the latter is for immigration to Canada or other countries. Regardless, you may take the test paper-based or computer-delivered.
IELTS band scores table
IELTS evaluates your knowledge in four major language areas: listening, reading, speaking and writing. The scores are from 0 to 9. The following table shows the meaning of each band score (source: IELTS.org).
| Band Score | Skill Level | Description |
| 0 | Did not attempt the test | The test taker did not answer the questions. |
| 1 | Non-user | The test taker has no ability to use the language except a few isolated words. |
| 2 | Intermittent user | The test taker has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English. |
| 3 | Extremely limited user | The test taker conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. There are frequent breakdowns in communication. |
| 4 | Limited user | The test taker’s basic competence is limited to familiar situations. They frequently show problems in understanding and expression. They are not able to use complex language. |
| 5 | Modest user | The test taker has a partial command of the language and copes with overall meaning in most situations, although they are likely to make many mistakes. They should be able to handle basic communication in their own field. |
| 6 | Competent user | The test taker has an effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings. They can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations. |
| 7 | Good user | The test taker has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings in some situations. They generally handle complex language well and understand detailed reasoning. |
| 8 | Very good user | The test taker has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage. They may misunderstand some things in unfamiliar situations. They handle complex and detailed argumentation well. |
| 9 | Expert user | The test taker has fully operational command of the language. Their use of English is appropriate, accurate and fluent, and shows complete understanding. |
Immigration authorities do not consider your overall band score but rather your score for every ability.
What is CLB?
CLB stands for the Canadian Language Benchmark. The government of Canada uses CLB to identify your mastery of the English language. The French language equivalent to CLB is the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC).
The CLB table
CLB offers scores between 1 and 12. The following tables show the meaning of each score (source: canada.ca).
Stage I – Basic Language Ability
| Benchmark and Ability Level | Listening | Speaking | Reading | Writing |
| CLB 1: Initial CLB 2: Developing CLB 3: Adequate CLB 4: Fluent | Interpreting simple spoken communication in routine, non-demanding contexts of language use within the four Competency Areas. | Creating simple spoken communication in routine, non-demanding contexts of language use within the four Competency Areas. | Interpreting simple written communication in routine, non-demanding contexts of language use within the four Competency Areas. | Creating simple written communication in routine, non-demanding contexts of language use within the four Competency Areas. |
Stage II – Intermediate Language Ability
| Benchmark and Ability Level | Listening | Speaking | Reading | Writing |
| CLB 5: Initial CLB 6: Developing CLB 7: Adequate CLB 8: Fluent | Interpreting moderately complex spoken communication in moderately demanding contexts of language use within the four Competency Areas. | Creating moderately complex spoken communication in moderately demanding contexts of language use within the four Competency Areas. | Interpreting moderately complex written communication in moderately demanding contexts of language use within the four Competency Areas. | Creating moderately complex written communication in moderately demanding contexts of language use within the four Competency Areas. |
Stage III – Advanced Language Ability
| Benchmark and Ability Level | Listening | Speaking | Reading | Writing |
| CLB 9: Initial CLB 10: Developing CLB 11: Adequate CLB 12: Fluent | Interpreting complex spoken communication in demanding contexts of language use within the four Competency Areas. | Creating complex spoken communication in demanding contexts of language use within the four Competency Areas. | Interpreting complex written communication in demanding contexts of language use within the four Competency Areas. | Creating complex written communication in demanding contexts of language use within the four Competency Areas. |
CLB vs IELTS table
As you can see the IELTS band scores are from 0 to 9 while the CLB levels are from 1 to 12. Consequently, we need to refer to reliable sources to find their equivalency. I have used different sources (mainly Canada.ca) to develop the following CLB/IELTS table. The first column shows the CLB level. Of course, the other four columns show the IELTS equivalency for each competency area.
Ielts Overall Score Calculator
| CLB Level | IELTS Reading | IELTS Writing | IELTS Listening | IELTS Speaking |
| 1 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| 2 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| 3 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 |
| 4 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| 5 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| 6 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 8 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 |
| 9 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 |
| 10 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 7.5 |
| 11 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 8.0 |
| 12 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 |
While I have done my best to avoid any mistakes, this table is not the official conversion table. Consult with other sources as well. You may also consider reading the following articles:
If you wish to visit or move to Canada, please fill out our free assessment form. We will review the form for free, but we will contact you only if we find an opportunity for you. Alternatively, you may book a consultation session. Consultation sessions are not free, but you will receive formal advice from a licenced practitioner.
Al Parsai, MA, DTM, RCIC
Regulated Canadian ICCRC.'>Immigration Consultant
Ashton College Instructor – Immigration Consulting
Author – 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada
Disclaimer:
This article provides information of a general nature only. It may no longer be current. It does not give legal advice. Do not rely on it as legal advice or immigration advice. We cannot be held responsible for the content of these articles. If you have specific legal questions, you must consult a lawyer. If you are looking for immigration advice, book an appointment. All the characters in the articles are fictional, unless otherwise clearly stated. Any resemblance in names, dates, and places (whether individuals, organizations, regions, or countries) is coincidental.
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Our CELPIP to CLB calculator will help you convert your language test results from CELPIP scores to CLB level using the language test equivalency charts provided by IRCC.
For other tests:
Note that for the immigration purpose, only CELPIP – General Training is accepted by IRCC as evidence of English-language proficiency. If you have the results for the other CELPIP tests, you should retake the General Training test.
The methodology
Here are the language test equivalency charts provided by IRCC that we used for the calculator:
| 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 |
Applicants applying for Permanent Residence to Canada and for Canadian Citizenship, are required to prove language skills by taking a language test approved by Canada immigration authority – Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB), or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) in French, is the national standards of English and French for describing, measuring and recognizing second language proficiency of adult immigrants and prospective immigrants for living and working in Canada. IRCC will only process the immigration applications based on CLB. If you don’t have your language test in CLB, it must be from an agency approved by IRCC.
These are the approved language tests:
Ielts Scoring Calculator
- English
- CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
- you must take the CELPIP-General test
- The General-LS test is not accepted for Express Entry
- IELTS: International English Language Testing System
- you must take the General Training option
- The Academic option is not accepted for Express Entry
- CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
- French
- TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français, including:
- compréhension de l’écrit
- compréhension de l’oral
- expression écrite
- expression orale
- TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français, including:
- compréhension de l’écrit
- compréhension de l’oral
- expression écrite
- expression orale
- TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français, including:
CELPIP is on the list of the approved language tests. So if you are applying for an immigration program within the Express Entry system such as Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or Federal Skilled Trades Program, and you have a CELPIP result, you can include it in the application
Clb 10 Ielts
Using the CELPIP to CLB Converter, you can use the determined CLB level based on your CELPIP scores for your permanent residence application.