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The first thing every student asks me is, "What score do I need?" It’s a good question, but there are actually two answers. One score gets you into Express Entry, and another gets you an invitation. Many people lose points in the gap between these two numbers.

IRCC sets a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level for each of the four skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking). The minimum required level will vary depending on the program.

IRCC lists all accepted tests on their language test page for Express Entry. Two important things to watch out for: you must take the CELPIP-General (no other version counts), and your test results must be less than two years old both when you create your Express Entry profile and when you submit your PR application. It’s easy to end up with a test that’s too old partway through your process.

The conversion is straightforward. On the IRCC table, a CELPIP 7 in a skill equals CLB 7, a CELPIP 9 equals CLB 9, and so on.

Meeting the minimum puts you in the pool, but your CRS score decides if you get an invitation. Language is one of the biggest parts of that score.

The points don’t increase evenly. Here’s how much each skill is worth for a single applicant, according to IRCC’s CRS:

Moving from CLB 7 to 8 adds 6 points per skill. Moving from 8 to 9 adds 8. Moving past 9 adds only 3. If you are going to push one level higher, 9 is the level that pays most.

CRS also gives you "skill transferability" points, which depend on your language level combined with your education and work experience outside Canada. There are two levels: you get the lower points if you have CLB 7 or higher in all skills, and the higher points only if you have CLB 9 or higher in all four skills.

Let’s look at an example. Priya has a bachelor’s degree, three years of work experience outside Canada, and a CELPIP 8 in all four skills. Here’s how her CRS changes if she reaches CELPIP 9 in all four:

Sixty-nine points, from one level in each skill. She didn’t need a new degree or another year of work to get them. If you apply with a spouse or partner, the language table is a little lower (22 points at CLB 8, 29 at CLB 9), but the jump is still 28 points from language alone, before the transferability points.

You can run your own numbers through IRCC's CRS tool.

Now imagine Priya scores 9 in listening, reading, and speaking, but 8 in writing. Her language points increase by 24 (since three skills are at 31 instead of 23). But because the transferability bonus needs CLB 9 in all four skills, she stays on the lower tier for those points. So, instead of gaining 69 points, she only gets 24.

That single writing score is worth 45 points. At CELTESTPIP, we often see students with a 9 in listening and reading but one level lower in writing or speaking. They tend to focus on what they’re already good at because it feels like progress.

Start by figuring out your level in each skill, not just your overall score. Take a full practice test, or even just one timed task per skill, to see which area is holding you back. Focus most of your study time on that skill.

Next, check your dates. Look at when you plan to create your profile and when you might submit your PR application. Make sure your test results will still be less than two years old at both times.

For a full breakdown of what each CELPIP level means for your application, check out our guide to CELPIP scores for Canadian immigration.