By Thanh Tran, PTE and IELTS coach
Updated
PTE Core scores for each CLB level
IRCC, Canada's immigration department, uses the Canadian Language Benchmarks, or CLB. You get a CLB level for each skill, and your overall score isn't used.
For the same level, you usually need a higher score in speaking and writing than in listening and reading. The scores below are Pearson's PTE Core to CLB table, and IRCC's Express Entry page uses the same scores.
PTE Core scores for each CLB level, from Pearson and IRCC, reviewed October 2026
CLB 10
- Listening
- 89 to 90
- Reading
- 88 to 90
- Speaking
- 89 to 90
- Writing
- 90
CLB 9
- Listening
- 82 to 88
- Reading
- 78 to 87
- Speaking
- 84 to 88
- Writing
- 88 to 89
CLB 8
- Listening
- 71 to 81
- Reading
- 69 to 77
- Speaking
- 76 to 83
- Writing
- 79 to 87
CLB 7
- Listening
- 60 to 70
- Reading
- 60 to 68
- Speaking
- 68 to 75
- Writing
- 69 to 78
CLB 6
- Listening
- 50 to 59
- Reading
- 51 to 59
- Speaking
- 59 to 67
- Writing
- 60 to 68
CLB 5
- Listening
- 39 to 49
- Reading
- 42 to 50
- Speaking
- 51 to 58
- Writing
- 51 to 59
CLB 4
- Listening
- 28 to 38
- Reading
- 33 to 41
- Speaking
- 42 to 50
- Writing
- 41 to 50
CLB 3
- Listening
- 18 to 27
- Reading
- 24 to 32
- Speaking
- 34 to 41
- Writing
- 32 to 40
| CLB level | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 89 to 90 | 88 to 90 | 89 to 90 | 90 |
| CLB 9 | 82 to 88 | 78 to 87 | 84 to 88 | 88 to 89 |
| CLB 8 | 71 to 81 | 69 to 77 | 76 to 83 | 79 to 87 |
| CLB 7 | 60 to 70 | 60 to 68 | 68 to 75 | 69 to 78 |
| CLB 6 | 50 to 59 | 51 to 59 | 59 to 67 | 60 to 68 |
| CLB 5 | 39 to 49 | 42 to 50 | 51 to 58 | 51 to 59 |
| CLB 4 | 28 to 38 | 33 to 41 | 42 to 50 | 41 to 50 |
| CLB 3 | 18 to 27 | 24 to 32 | 34 to 41 | 32 to 40 |
The CLB level each program needs
You need the level in every skill the program names, so your weakest skill decides if you qualify.
For Federal Skilled Worker, a higher level also earns more points. Each skill gets 4 points at CLB 7, 5 at CLB 8 and 6 at CLB 9 or higher, which is listening 82, reading 78, speaking 84 and writing 88 on PTE Core.
The CLB level each program needs, and the PTE Core scores for it, from IRCC, reviewed October 2026
Federal Skilled Worker
- CLB level
- CLB 7 in all four skills
- PTE Core scores
- Listening 60, reading 60, speaking 68, writing 69
Canadian Experience Class, TEER 0 or 1 jobs
- CLB level
- CLB 7 in all four skills
- PTE Core scores
- Listening 60, reading 60, speaking 68, writing 69
Canadian Experience Class, TEER 2 or 3 jobs
- CLB level
- CLB 5 in all four skills
- PTE Core scores
- Listening 39, reading 42, speaking 51, writing 51
Federal Skilled Trades
- CLB level
- CLB 5 in speaking and listening, CLB 4 in reading and writing
- PTE Core scores
- Listening 39, reading 33, speaking 51, writing 41
Canadian citizenship, ages 18 to 54
- CLB level
- CLB 4 in speaking and listening
- PTE Core scores
- Listening 28, speaking 42
Post-graduation work permit, after a university program
- CLB level
- CLB 7 in all four skills
- PTE Core scores
- Listening 60, reading 60, speaking 68, writing 69
Post-graduation work permit, after a college program
- CLB level
- CLB 5 in all four skills
- PTE Core scores
- Listening 39, reading 42, speaking 51, writing 51
| Program | CLB level | PTE Core scores |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker | CLB 7 in all four skills | Listening 60, reading 60, speaking 68, writing 69 |
| Canadian Experience Class, TEER 0 or 1 jobs | CLB 7 in all four skills | Listening 60, reading 60, speaking 68, writing 69 |
| Canadian Experience Class, TEER 2 or 3 jobs | CLB 5 in all four skills | Listening 39, reading 42, speaking 51, writing 51 |
| Federal Skilled Trades | CLB 5 in speaking and listening, CLB 4 in reading and writing | Listening 39, reading 33, speaking 51, writing 41 |
| Canadian citizenship, ages 18 to 54 | CLB 4 in speaking and listening | Listening 28, speaking 42 |
| Post-graduation work permit, after a university program | CLB 7 in all four skills | Listening 60, reading 60, speaking 68, writing 69 |
| Post-graduation work permit, after a college program | CLB 5 in all four skills | Listening 39, reading 42, speaking 51, writing 51 |
Which tests Canada accepts
For permanent residence through Express Entry, IRCC accepts three English tests: PTE Core, CELPIP General and IELTS General Training. For citizenship it also accepts CELPIP General LS, the listening and speaking version.
If you studied in Canada, you can also use PTE Core for your work permit after you graduate. You need CLB 7 in all four skills after university, or CLB 5 after college.
IRCC doesn't accept PTE Academic for permanent residence or citizenship. Pearson says PTE Academic is the PTE test for studying in Canada.
How long your result counts
Your result must be less than 2 years old when you create your Express Entry profile, and again when you apply for permanent residence. If your test is close to 2 years old, check the date before you apply.
