The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an internationally recognized English language proficiency test. It is designed to assess the language ability of non-native English speakers who wish to study or work in an English-speaking environment. The IELTS is accepted by over 10,000 organizations in 140 countries, including universities, employers, professional bodies, immigration authorities, and other government agencies.
The IELTS consists of four components: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Each component is scored on a scale of 0-9, with 9 being the highest score. The overall score is the average of the four components. The IELTS is designed to test a wide range of language abilities, from basic survival skills to advanced academic language.
The IELTS is divided into two versions: Academic and General Training. The Academic version is designed for those who wish to study at a university or college, while the General Training version is designed for those who wish to work, train, or migrate to an English-speaking country.
When applying to Canadian immigration programs, you need to determine which version of the IELTS to use. For example, the General Training version is required for most of the programs you are applying to, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class, while the General Training version is required for those applying to obtain a study permit to attend universities in Canada.
The IELTS is a reliable and valid test of English language proficiency. It is administered by the British Council, IDP Education, and Cambridge Assessment English. The test is available in over 500 locations worldwide.
While it is more readily available in the world, Immigration Canada would mostly look at English proficiency levels under the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB).
Here is a quick conversion table:
CLB Level
IELTS Reading
IELTS Writing
IELTS Listening
IELTS Speaking
1
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
2
1.5
2.0
2.0
2.0
3
2.5
3.0
3.5
3.0
4
3.5
4.0
4.5
4.0
5
4.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
6
5.0
5.5
5.5
5.5
7
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
8
6.5
6.5
7.5
6.5
9
7.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
10
8.0
7.5
8.5
7.5
11
8.5
8.0
9.0
8.0
12
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
English level requirement is one of the most important factors in determining your success in whatever pathway you wish to take to come to Canada. For example, Express entry program requires a minimum of CLB 7 in order to be accepted into the pool and get a CRS score. Submitting a score lower than a CLB 7 in any of the 4 focus areas will lead to instant rejection from the system.
