IELTS to CLB Converter

IRCC compares IELTS and CLB one ability at a time, so you need the four separate bands from your Test Report Form. The overall band isn't used. The thresholds also differ by ability: CLB 9 starts at 7.0 for reading, writing and speaking, but 8.0 for listening. A 7.0 in listening is therefore only CLB 7 (listening needs 7.5 for CLB 8), while a 7.0 in reading is CLB 9.

This table is for IELTS General Training. IELTS Academic results aren't accepted for Express Entry and don't use this conversion.

Take reading 7.0, writing 6.5, listening 8.0 and speaking 7.0 (the converter's starting values). Three abilities reach CLB 9, but writing reaches only CLB 8. Programs that set a minimum "in all abilities" are checked against the weakest one, so the summary is CLB 8. It's not an average: the three CLB 9 results don't lift writing.

Each card in the converter shows the band you need to move that ability up one level. In the example above, writing needs 7.0 to reach CLB 9, and that half band would lift the overall summary from CLB 8 to CLB 9. Listening is already at CLB 9, and moving it to CLB 10 would need 8.5. Focus on the ability with the lowest level and the smallest gap to its next threshold.

• Eligibility or points. It converts scores. It doesn't calculate CRS points or decide whether you qualify.
• Levels below CLB 4. The table starts at CLB 4, so lower scores show as "Below 4".
• Test validity. IRCC accepts results less than two years old on the date you apply, so an older test needs retaking even if the scores are high enough.