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Hi, it’s Dozie!
Welcome to today’s From the Editor.
In today’s newsletter: Matthew Zare of CELPIPTEST shares more on the difference between the score that gets you in and the score that gets you picked.
Also, in today’s French in Canada: Nishant Anand on whether you should change your exam centre after four attempts.
See past issues here.
What’s the CELPIP score that earns you the points you need for PR
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.
Let’s start with the score that gets you into the pool. IRCC sets a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level for each of the four skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking). The minimum required level varies by program.
Federal Skilled Worker: 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: CLB 5 in speaking and listening, CLB 4 in reading and writing.
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)
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.
Read more about the score that helps you get picked in the CRS pool, the bonus most applicants miss, and what to do this week ⬇️
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French in Canada with Nishant Anand
Q: I’ve attempted the exam four times. Should I change my exam centre?
A: Yes, but make sure to review your preparation first. That is, before considering changing centres, consider these questions:
Have I genuinely prepared before each attempt?
Which exam sections are causing me difficulties?
Am I relying only on AI to assess my level, or have I consulted an experienced trainer?
If my preparation is solid, have I sought professional feedback to understand what is going wrong?
Most cities have lots of centres (for example, Montreal has about 26 exam centres), so you should have plenty of options. If you think another centre might suit you better, it may be worth switching.
Remember, don’t rush to take the exam again every 20 days. Take time to identify your weak spots, study with a plan, and book your next attempt only when you feel prepared.
If you need help choosing a centre or want tips to improve your score, reach out to me on Instagram (@apprendreavecnishant) for free advice. You can also book a one-to-one consultation with me from Friday to Sunday.
Newsletter writer: Dozie Anyaegbunam
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