CELPIP for Express Entry: scores, CRS points and how to plan
By Michael Ukwuma
How your CELPIP scores turn into Express Entry points, which levels each program needs, and a simple plan to raise your score before your profile goes in.
Your language score is the part of your Express Entry profile you can change fastest. Age, education and work history are mostly fixed. A few weeks of focused practice can move your CELPIP levels, and every level is worth points.
Check your own scores
Put your four CELPIP scores, or the scores you are aiming for, into the converter below. It shows your CLB level in each skill and the Express Entry language points they earn.
How CELPIP turns into points
Your first official language is scored skill by skill, and the four skills are added together.
- CLB 4 or 5: 6 points per skill.
- CLB 6: 9 points per skill, or 8 with a spouse or partner.
- CLB 7: 17 points per skill, or 16 with a spouse or partner.
- CLB 8: 23 points per skill, or 22 with a spouse or partner.
- CLB 9: 31 points per skill, or 29 with a spouse or partner.
- CLB 10 or higher: 34 points per skill, or 32 with a spouse or partner.
On top of these core points, strong language scores unlock skill transferability points with your education and foreign work experience. CLB 9 in all four skills gives the highest of those.
Minimum levels by program
- Federal Skilled Worker Program: CLB 7 in all four skills.
- Canadian Experience Class: CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs, and CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program: CLB 5 in Speaking and Listening, and CLB 4 in Reading and Writing.
A simple plan before your profile goes in
- Take a free placement test to find your level in each skill.
- Find your weakest skill. That is where your next points are.
- Practise every day: one timed Reading or Listening set and one Writing or Speaking task.
- Sit a full timed mock exam every week or two and track your levels.
- Book CELPIP when your mock levels have held at your target for two mocks in a row.
Sources
Key points
- Language is the fastest part of your Express Entry score to improve.
- Each CLB level above 7 adds meaningful points in every skill.
- Book the real test once your practice levels are steady at your target.