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IELTS General vs Academic for Canada PR
If you are applying for Canada PR through Express Entry, you need IELTS General Training. This guide explains why, how IRCC turns your bands into CLB levels, and what else to check before you book.
Which IELTS test does Express Entry accept?
For Express Entry, IRCC accepts IELTS General Training. It does not accept IELTS Academic for this purpose. This applies to all three Express Entry programs: Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades.
When is Academic used?
Academic is mainly for university and college admission. If you plan to study in Canada first, your school may ask for Academic. That is a different requirement from PR.
How IRCC converts IELTS to CLB
IRCC does not use your IELTS bands directly. It converts each skill to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level. Your CLB levels then decide your eligibility and part of your CRS points.
Each skill is converted on its own. You need at least the band shown in each skill to reach that CLB level in that skill.
IELTS General Training to CLB
| CLB level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| CLB 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| CLB 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| CLB 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| CLB 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| CLB 5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| CLB 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
Source: IRCC — language test equivalency charts. Checked September 2026; confirm on canada.ca before applying.
How to read the table
Example: you score Listening 8.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 6.5, Speaking 7.0.
- Listening 8.0 → CLB 9
- Reading 7.0 → CLB 9
- Writing 6.5 → CLB 8
- Speaking 7.0 → CLB 9
So Writing is the skill holding you below CLB 9 in all four. Your overall IELTS band does not matter here. What matters is each skill.
Your CLB is typically judged per skill; many programs require a minimum in each. For example, Federal Skilled Worker needs at least CLB 7 in all four skills. Check the exact rule for your program on canada.ca.
Try your own scores in the IELTS band calculator — switch on the "Canada PR" option to see your CLB per skill.
Your results must be under 2 years old
IRCC only accepts language test results that are less than 2 years old. They must be valid when you create your Express Entry profile and also on the day you submit your PR application. Plan your test date with this in mind.
What about CELPIP?
CELPIP-General is the other English test IRCC accepts for Express Entry. It is a different test with its own CLB table.
Adding French: up to 50 extra CRS points
If you already have good English, French can help. Under IRCC rules, if you reach NCLC 7 in all four French skills, you can get up to 50 extra CRS points, depending on your English level.
PrepEve also teaches French for Canada PR. See what French could add to your CRS.
Want to see where your marks go?
Join the free live IELTS webinar. It's 60 minutes, on Saturdays and Sundays at 7:00 PM IST. Even if you never join a course, you'll leave knowing where your marks are going and what to fix first.