IELTS band score chart
What each band means, the CLB level IRCC converts it to, and what the same level looks like in PTE, CELPIP and the Duolingo English Test.
Bands and what they mean
| Band | CEFR | Descriptor | ≈ CLB |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.0 | C2 | Expert user | 10+ |
| 8.0 | C1 | Very good user | 10 |
| 7.0 | C1 | Good user | 9 (listening 8.0) |
| 6.5 | B2 | Competent user | 8 |
| 6.0 | B2 | Competent user | 7 |
| 5.5 | B2 | Modest user | 6 |
| 5.0 | B1 | Modest user | 5 |
| 4.0 | B1 | Limited user | 4 |
IELTS General Training → CLB (Canada PR)
| CLB | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 | Maximum CRS language points |
| 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | Big CRS jump — the real target |
| 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | |
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | Express Entry FSW minimum |
Your CLB is assessed per skill, and your lowest skill limits your points. A flat 7.0 gives CLB 9 in three skills but only CLB 8 in listening. Confirm against IRCC before filing; results must be under two years old on the application date.
Same level, other tests
| IELTS | PTE | CELPIP | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.0 | 79 | 10 | 145+ |
| 7.0 | 63 | 9 | 120–130 |
| 6.5 | 55 | 8 | 105–115 |
| 6.0 | 47 | 7 | 95–100 |
Only CELPIP → CLB is an exact one-to-one mapping. The PTE column uses Pearson's July 2025 concordance and the Duolingo column is third-party consensus, since Duolingo publishes no official IELTS conversion. Treat the cross-test columns as guidance for choosing a test, not as a score you can claim.
Questions
What IELTS band do I need for Canada PR?
CLB 7 is the Federal Skilled Worker minimum, which on IELTS General Training is 6.0 in all four skills. CLB 9 is where the Comprehensive Ranking System awards substantially more points, and that needs Listening 8.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0 and Speaking 7.0. Notice the listening requirement is the steep one.
Is IELTS Academic or General Training used for Canada PR?
General Training for permanent residence. IELTS Academic is for university admission. The CLB conversion table IRCC publishes is the General Training one, so a band from Academic does not map the same way.
What is IELTS 7 in CLB?
It depends on the skill, which is what catches people out. A flat 7.0 across all four gives you CLB 9 in reading, writing and speaking but only CLB 8 in listening, because CLB 9 listening needs 8.0. Your CLB is taken per skill, and your lowest skill is what limits your points.
How long is an IELTS result valid?
Two years for most purposes, and it must be under two years old on the date you apply for immigration. Some universities accept older results; IRCC does not.
Which test should I take if I keep missing my band?
If listening is what blocks your CLB 9, CELPIP is worth considering — CELPIP levels map one-to-one to CLB, so there is no harder listening threshold hidden in the conversion. If speaking under an examiner is the problem, PTE and CELPIP are both computer-scored with no interviewer.
Knowing the number is the easy part. Take a free IELTS mock test and get an AI band per skill, so you know which one is actually capping your CLB.