Whichever English test you take, your raw result isn't actually what IRCC uses to assess your application — it gets converted into a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score first. Understanding that conversion up front helps you know exactly what to aim for.
The Canadian Language Benchmark is Canada's standardized scale for describing English (and, as NCLC, French) ability across four skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. It runs from CLB 1 (very basic) to CLB 12 (near-native), and different immigration programs set different minimum CLB requirements — often a different minimum for each of the four skills, not just one overall number.
| Test | How conversion works |
|---|---|
| CELPIP | Direct 1:1 — a CELPIP score of 7 in a skill simply equals CLB 7 in that skill. |
| IELTS | Each band score maps to a CLB level, but the exact band needed can vary slightly by skill and by CLB level — reaching CLB 7 across the board generally means a 6.0 in every band, though check the current official table for your specific skill. |
| PTE Core | Uses its 10–90 scale converted through IRCC's official PTE Core to CLB table, added when PTE Core became an accepted test. |
Because required levels vary by program and change periodically, treat any specific number you read (including in this article) as a starting point to verify, not a final answer.
Each exam hub on Redleaf Study includes a score estimator so you can see roughly where your practice results land.
Try the calculator →This article reflects general information as of July 2026 and is not immigration advice. CLB requirements and conversion tables are set by IRCC and can change — always confirm current thresholds and conversion tables directly at canada.ca before relying on them for an application.