IELTS General Training
The most widely used English test for Express Entry. You need General Training — not Academic — for immigration.
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Who it's for
Applicants who prefer paper or computer IELTS, or who already have IELTS scores on their profile.
IRCC reminder
Results must be less than two years old when you submit your profile or application. Enter exact scores and test report form details as IRCC requires.
Official booking & info
How this test is scored
- IELTS General Training scores each of the four abilities from band 0 to 9, in steps of 0.5.
- IRCC does not use your overall IELTS band. Each skill — speaking, listening, reading, and writing — is converted to CLB separately.
- Only IELTS General Training counts for economic immigration. IELTS Academic uses different reading/writing tasks and is not interchangeable.
CRS & Express Entry
- For FSW and many TEER 0/1 roles you need CLB 7 in all four abilities. Reaching CLB 9 on each skill unlocks higher first-language CRS points.
- Listening often needs a higher band than the other three skills for the same CLB (for example CLB 9 listening is band 8.0).
General Training modules
- Listening (≈30 min)
Four sections; scores map to CLB using the listening column in IRCC’s table only.
- Reading — General Training (≈60 min)
Three sections with everyday and work-related texts. GT reading bands differ from Academic reading at the same CLB.
- Writing — General Training (≈60 min)
Task 1: letter (formal, semi-formal, or informal). Task 2: essay. Both tasks contribute to your writing band.
- Speaking (≈11–14 min)
Face-to-face or video interview with an examiner; scored separately from the other modules.
CLB conversion — IELTS General Training
Each ability converts separately. IRCC equivalency charts · CRS calculator uses the same tables.
| CLB | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 7.5 – 9.0 | 8.5 – 9.0 | 8.0 – 9.0 | 7.5 – 9.0 |
| 9 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| 8 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 |
| 5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| 4 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 |
Compare tests — CLB 7 vs CLB 9
Side-by-side raw scores for common Express Entry targets (not a single overall test score).
CLB 7 — raw scores by test
| Test | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS General Training(this page) | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| CELPIP-General | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| PTE Core | 68 – 75 | 60 – 70 | 60 – 68 | 69 – 78 |
CLB 9 — raw scores by test
| Test | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS General Training(this page) | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| CELPIP-General | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| PTE Core | 84 – 88 | 82 – 88 | 78 – 87 | 88 – 89 |
Other tests IRCC accepts
Want to try a different approved test? Compare formats and book when ready.
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