Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)
The Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) standard is a descriptive scale of language ability in English as a Second Language (ESL) written as 12 benchmarks or reference points along a continuum from basic to advanced. The CLB standard reflects the progression of the knowledge and skills that underlie basic, intermediate, and advanced ability among adult ESL learners. It is the national standard in Canada for describing, measuring, and recognizing the English language proficiency of adult immigrants and prospective immigrants for living and working in Canada.
For each language skill, test taker receives a separate benchmark, and this benchmark indicates how well they can function in that language skill. There are three stages in the CLB.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training – Test score equivalency chart
CLB Level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
CLB 12 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 |
CLB 11 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 8.0 |
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 |
CLB 3 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
CLB 2 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
CLB 1 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) General 2014 Test score equivalency chart for reports issued on or after April 1, 2014
CLB Level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
CLB 9 + | 9 or more | 9 or more | 9 or more | 9 or more |
CLB 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
CLB 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
CLB 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
CLB 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
CLB 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
CLB 3 or less | 3 or less | 3 or less | 3 or less | 3 or less |
Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) – Test score equivalency chart for reports issued on or after April 1, 2014
CLB Level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
CLB 10 | 263-277 | 393-415 | 316-333 | 393-415 |
CLB 9 | 248-262 | 371-392 | 298-315 | 371-392 |
CLB 8 | 233-247 | 349-370 | 280-297 | 349-370 |
CLB 7 | 207-232 | 310-348 | 249-279 | 310-348 |
CLB 6 | 181-206 | 271-309 | 217-248 | 271-309 |
CLB 5 | 151-180 | 226-270 | 181-216 | 226-270 |
CLB 4 | 121-150 | 181-225 | 145-180 | 181-225 |