CLB 10: CELPIP, IELTS and PTE Core Scores
CLB 10+ is the top of IRCC's chart: CELPIP 10, 11 or 12, or IELTS 8.5 Listening, 8.0 Reading, 7.5 Writing and 7.5 Speaking. It earns 34 CRS points per skill, 136 for all four without a spouse.
CLB 10+ scores on each test
| Skill | CELPIP | IELTS | PTE Core |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 10–12 | 8.5 | 89+ |
| Reading | 10–12 | 8.0 | 88+ |
| Writing | 10–12 | 7.5 | 90 |
| Speaking | 10–12 | 7.5 | 89+ |
What CLB 10+ in every skill qualifies you for
Meets the language minimum
- Federal Skilled Worker
- Canadian Experience Class (TEER 0 or 1 job)
- Canadian Experience Class (TEER 2 or 3 job)
- Federal Skilled Trades
- PGWP (university program)
- PGWP (college program)
- Citizenship (ages 18–54)
Language is one requirement of each program. Meeting it doesn't mean you meet the others.
CRS points at CLB 10+
| Your situation | Per skill | All four skills |
|---|---|---|
| Without a spouse or partner | 34 | 136 |
| With a spouse or partner | 32 | 128 |
The top of the chart
CLB 10+ is the highest level IRCC's charts recognize. CELPIP 10, 11 and 12 all convert to it, so scoring 12 instead of 10 changes nothing in your application.
In the CRS, CLB 10+ earns 34 points per skill without a spouse or partner, 136 for all four. That's the maximum for first official language ability.
CLB 11 and 12
You may see CLB 11 or CLB 12 mentioned. The Canadian Language Benchmarks scale does go up to 12, but IRCC's equivalency charts group everything from CLB 10 up into one row. For Express Entry, PGWP and citizenship, there's no advantage to anything above CLB 10.
Is it worth the retake?
Going from CLB 9 to CLB 10+ in all four skills adds 12 CRS points without a spouse. That's a real gain near a draw cut-off, but it's smaller than the jump from 7 to 9. Check where each skill stands first: moving one skill from 8 to 9 adds 8 points, more than moving one from 9 to 10.
Frequently asked questions
A CELPIP score of 10, 11 or 12. All three count as CLB 10+ and earn the same CRS points.
The Canadian Language Benchmarks run to 12, but IRCC's test charts stop at CLB 10+. A CELPIP 11 or 12 counts the same as a 10 for Express Entry.
Listening 89 or more, Reading 88 or more, Writing 90 and Speaking 89 or more.
Without a spouse or partner, 34 per skill, or 136 for all four, the most this part of the CRS gives. With one, 32 per skill, or 128.
It adds 3 points per skill without a spouse, 12 across all four. That can matter close to a draw cut-off, but if any skill is still below 9, raise that one first.
Based on IRCC's official tables. IRCC makes the final decision on your application. For Express Entry and PGWP, results must be less than 2 years old when you apply.