Official Language Testing

 

 

 

You can arrange to take a language test from any of the following organizations approved by the Citizenship and Immigration Canada www.cic.gc.ca.

 

English Language Tests

French Language Tests

 
Equivalency Charts

 

Once you have taken a language test from an approved organization, you can see how many points you will earn:

  1. If you took an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test;

  2. If you took the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP); or

  3. If you took a Test d'Evaluation de Francais.


Test Score Equivalency Chart

International English Language Testing System *

Level

Points
(per ability)

Test Results for each Ability

Speaking

Listening

Reading

Writing

High
(CLB/SLC 8-12)

First Official Language: 4

7.0 - 9.0

7.0 - 9.0

7.0 - 9.0

7.0 - 9.0

Second Official Language: 2

Moderate
(CLB/SLC 6-7)

2

5.0 - 6.9

5.0 - 6.9

5.0 - 6.9

5.0 - 6.9

Basic
(CLB/SLC 4-5)

1
(to a maximum of 2)

4.0 - 4.9

4.0 - 4.9

4.0 - 4.9

4.0 - 4.9

No
(CLB/SLC 0-3)

0

Less than 4.0

Less than 4.0

Less than 4.0

Less than 4.0

 


Test Score Equivalency Chart

Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program *

Level

Points
(per ability)

Test Results for each Ability

Speaking

Listening

Reading

Writing

High
(CLB/SLC 8-12)

First Official Language: 4

4H
5
6

4H
5
6

4H
5
6

4H
5
6

Second Official Language: 2

Moderate
(CLB/SLC 6-7)

2

3H
4L

3H
4L

3H
4L

3H
4L

Basic
(CLB/SLC 4-5)

1
(to a maximum of 2)

2H
3L

2H
3L

2H
3L

2H
3L

No
(CLB/SLC 0-3)

0

0
1
2L

0
1
2L

0
1
2L

0
1
2L

 


Test Score Equivalency Chart

 Test d'Evaluation de Francais *

Level

Points
(per ability)

Test Results for each Ability

Speaking

Listening

Reading

Writing

High
(CLB/SLC 8-12)

First Official Language: 4

Level 5
Level 6

Level 5
Level 6
(271-360 points)

Level 5
Level 6
(226-300 points)

Level 5
Level 6

Second Official Language: 2

Moderate
(CLB/SLC 6-7)

2

Level 4

Level 4
(199-270 points)

Level 4
(166-225 points)

Level 4

Basic
(CLB/SLC 4-5)

1
(to a maximum of 2)

Level 3

Level 3
(163-198 points)

Level 3
(136-165 points)

Level 3

No
(CLB/SLC 0-3)

0

Level 0
Level 1
Level 2

Level 0
Level 1
Level 2
(0-162 points)

Level 0
Level 1
Level 2
(0-135 points)

Level 0
Level 1
Level 2

 

 

Providing Other Written Evidence *

 
If you choose not to take an approved language tests above, you must prove your ability to speak, listen, read and write Canada's official languages through other written evidence. You must provide written proof and explanation that clearly shows you meet the benchmark criteria listed in the Canadian Language Benchmarks in each of the four skills:

You Must:

Submit your written explanation and documentation with your application. This material should include:

  • a written submission explaining your training in English or French;
  • an explanation of how you commonly use English or French;
  • official documentation of education in English or French; and
  • official documentation of work experience in English or French.

What Happens Next:

An officer from Citizenship and Immigration Canada will look at the evidence you include with your application.

  • Your submission must satisfy the officer that your language skills meet the benchmarks for the level you are claiming.
  • The officer does not have to ask you for more evidence so include as much evidence and documentation with your application as you can.
  • The officer will not interview you to assess your language skills.
  • The officer will award points for your language ability based on what you send with your application. You will not know how many points the CIC Officer gives you for your language skills or if the CIC Officer is satisfied that you have clearly demonstrated the level of language skills you claim on your application.

 

 

* Provided by the Citizenship and Immigration Canada www.cic.gc.ca