CELPIP Levels and Descriptors: What Each Level Means
By Megan · Scores and immigration · Published · 5 min read
Every CELPIP score report gives you a level for each skill, not a mark out of 100. Paragon publishes a short descriptor for each level, from "some proficiency in limited contexts" at level 3 to "advanced proficiency in workplace and community contexts" at 11 and 12, and calibrates the scale against the Canadian Language Benchmarks, so a CELPIP level is the same number as the CLB level. This post explains what each level means, what it is worth for immigration, roughly how many correct answers each level needs in Listening and Reading, and how Writing and Speaking levels are decided. Check IRCC for your program's exact requirements.
What are CELPIP levels?
Each of the four components, Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, gets its own CELPIP level, on a scale up to 12. The scale is calibrated against the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB), so a CELPIP 8 in Reading is CLB 8 in Reading, with no conversion.
There is no overall CELPIP score that counts for immigration. IRCC and most other users set a minimum for each skill, so your lowest level is the one to watch.
What does each CELPIP level mean?
From level 5 up, the descriptors describe how well you use English in workplace and community contexts, from "acquiring" at 5 to "advanced" at 11 and 12. Levels 4 and 3 describe English for daily life and for limited contexts.
| CELPIP level | Official descriptor | CLB | What it is often needed for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Advanced proficiency in workplace and community contexts | 12 | Same CRS points as CLB 10 |
| 11 | Advanced proficiency in workplace and community contexts | 11 | Same CRS points as CLB 10 |
| 10 | Highly effective proficiency in workplace and community contexts | 10 | Highest CRS language points |
| 9 | Effective proficiency in workplace and community contexts | 9 | Full skill-transferability points in Express Entry |
| 8 | Good proficiency in workplace and community contexts | 8 | Some professional regulators and provincial streams |
| 7 | Adequate proficiency in workplace and community contexts | 7 | Federal Skilled Worker minimum; CEC for TEER 0 and 1 jobs |
| 6 | Developing proficiency in workplace and community contexts | 6 | Some provincial and work-permit streams |
| 5 | Acquiring proficiency in workplace and community contexts | 5 | CEC for TEER 2 and 3 jobs |
| 4 | Adequate proficiency for daily life activities | 4 | Citizenship (Listening and Speaking) |
| 3 | Some proficiency in limited contexts | 3 | Below most immigration minimums |
What do M, 2, 1, 0 and NA mean on a CELPIP score report?
They are the results below level 3. Older CELPIP charts grouped everything below 3 as M, "minimal proficiency or insufficient information to assess", matched to CLB 0–2. The current chart splits that range up and adds NA.
| Result | Meaning in the current chart |
|---|---|
| 2 | Limited ability in contexts related to immediate needs (matched to CLB 1–2) |
| 1 or 0 | Insufficient information to assess |
| NA | Not administered: you did not receive this component |
| M | Used in older charts, and still in the approximate raw-score tables, for results below level 3 |
A result of 0 or 1 in Writing or Speaking usually means there was too little to score, such as a blank response or a recording with almost nothing in it, rather than a judgement of your English. NA simply means that component was not part of your test.
How many correct answers do I need for each CELPIP level?
Paragon publishes approximate charts: in Listening about 33–35 correct out of 38 for level 9, and in Reading about 31–33. The exact number varies slightly from test to test, because questions differ in difficulty and each test is equated.
| CELPIP level | Listening | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| 10–12 | 35–38 | 33–38 |
| 9 | 33–35 | 31–33 |
| 8 | 30–33 | 28–31 |
| 7 | 27–31 | 24–28 |
| 6 | 22–28 | 19–25 |
| 5 | 17–23 | 15–20 |
| 4 | 11–18 | 10–16 |
| 3 | 7–12 | 8–11 |
| M | 0–7 | 0–7 |
Every question is simply right or wrong, and a blank answer counts as wrong, so always answer every question. Use these ranges to read your practice scores, not as a promise: aim for the top of the range for your target level.
How are CELPIP Writing and Speaking levels decided?
Trained raters score your responses against standard rubrics with four categories each, and Paragon checks that raters agree with each other. There is no raw-score chart for these skills.
| Category | Writing looks at | Speaking looks at |
|---|---|---|
| Content/Coherence | Number, quality and organisation of ideas, with examples | Number, quality and organisation of ideas, with examples |
| Vocabulary | Word choice, range, precision and suitable phrases | Word choice, range, precision and suitable phrases |
| Readability / Listenability | Format and paragraphs, connectors, grammar, spelling and punctuation | Rhythm, pronunciation and intonation, pauses and self-correction, grammar and sentence variety |
| Task Fulfillment | Relevance, completeness, tone and word count | Relevance, completeness, tone and length |
Raters need at least an undergraduate degree, ESL teaching certification or graduate training in language education or linguistics, and English at a native or CLB 11–12 level.
What CELPIP level should I aim for?
The minimum your program sets for every skill, plus a margin in your weakest one. For Express Entry, CLB 9 in all four skills is the usual goal, because it unlocks the full skill-transferability points; CLB 7 is the Federal Skilled Worker minimum.
Frequently asked questions
Is CELPIP level 9 the same as CLB 9?
Yes. CELPIP levels are calibrated against the CLB, so a CELPIP 9 in a skill is CLB 9 in that skill.
Is a CELPIP 12 worth more than a 10 for Express Entry?
No. The CRS gives the same language points for CLB 10 and above, so 10, 11 and 12 score the same.
Does CELPIP give half levels?
No. Every CELPIP level is a whole number, and so is every CLB level.
Keep reading
CELPass is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with Paragon Testing Enterprises. CELPIP is a trademark of Paragon Testing Enterprises. Check the official CELPIP website and IRCC for current test rules and requirements.