PTE Core · Canada

PTE Core scores and CLB levels

IRCC converts each PTE Core skill score (10–90) to a Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) level separately, using one official chart that Pearson and IRCC publish in the same form. For example, a Speaking score of 68–75 is CLB 7 and 76–83 is CLB 8; Listening 60–70 is CLB 7.

The same score can mean different levels in different skills, and programs set a minimum CLB for each skill: Express Entry's Federal Skilled Worker Program asks for CLB 7 in all four, which on PTE Core is at least 60 in Listening and Reading, 68 in Speaking and 69 in Writing.

Last reviewed 7 October 2026 against the official sources listed below.

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The PTE Core to CLB chart

PTE Core score range for each CLB level, from Pearson and IRCC, as of 7 October 2026
CLB level	Listening	Reading	Speaking	Writing
10	89–90	88–90	89–90	90
9	82–88	78–87	84–88	88–89
8	71–81	69–77	76–83	79–87
7	60–70	60–68	68–75	69–78
6	50–59	51–59	59–67	60–68
5	39–49	42–50	51–58	51–59
4	28–38	33–41	42–50	41–50
3	18–27	24–32	34–41	32–40

The same ranges appear in the PTE Core Score Guide (January 2026), on Pearson's PTE Core scoring page and on IRCC's language-results page. IRCC's Express Entry page lists CLB 7–10 with the same cut-offs.
Pearson says the alignment is reviewed periodically and may be updated, and points to the IRCC website for the most up-to-date information. Check IRCC before you apply.

Sources: Pearson: PTE Core Test Taker Score Guide (PDF, January 2026) · Pearson: PTE Core scoring and CLB comparison · IRCC: Find your language level from your test results · IRCC: Express Entry language test results

CLB minimums for common IRCC programs

IRCC sets a minimum CLB level for each program and checks each ability against it, so your lowest skill decides whether you qualify. A few examples for English, as of 7 October 2026:

Minimum English CLB levels and the matching PTE Core scores, as of 7 October 2026
Program	Minimum level	PTE Core scores at that level
Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker Program (first official language)	CLB 7 in all four abilities	Listening 60, Reading 60, Speaking 68, Writing 69 or higher
Express Entry: Canadian Experience Class	CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs; CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs, in all four abilities	CLB 5: Listening 39, Reading 42, Speaking 51, Writing 51 or higher
Express Entry: Federal Skilled Trades Program	CLB 5 in speaking and listening, CLB 4 in reading and writing	Speaking 51, Listening 39, Reading 33, Writing 41 or higher
Canadian citizenship (ages 18 to 54)	CLB 4 in speaking and listening	Speaking 42, Listening 28 or higher
Post-graduation work permit (applications from 1 November 2024)	CLB 7 for university bachelor's, master's or doctoral programs; CLB 5 for other programs, in all four areas	As in the chart above

For Express Entry, IRCC accepts CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core, and says you must take the PTE Core option: PTE Academic is not accepted. Results must be less than 2 years old when you create your profile and when you apply for permanent residence.
Higher CLB levels earn more points: in IRCC's Federal Skilled Worker selection grid, CLB 7 earns 4 points per ability, CLB 8 earns 5, and CLB 9 or above earns 6.
Requirements change. Check the IRCC page for your program before you book.

Sources: IRCC: Express Entry language test results · IRCC: Citizenship, proof of language ability · IRCC: Post-graduation work permit eligibility

Why Speaking needs a higher score

At every CLB level from 7 to 9, the PTE Core Speaking range starts higher than the Listening and Reading ranges: CLB 7 needs 68 in Speaking but 60 in Listening and Reading, and CLB 9 needs 84 in Speaking against 82 in Listening and 78 in Reading. The Speaking bands are also narrow, so a few points can move you across a level: 75 is CLB 7, 76 is CLB 8.

PTE Core speaking tasks are Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image, Respond to a Situation and Answer Short Question. In PTE Core, Read Aloud counts toward both Reading and Speaking.

Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) is the national standard maintained by the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks. Lingo Copilot is not affiliated with or endorsed by CCLB, IRCC or Pearson.

Sources: Pearson: PTE Core Test Taker Score Guide (PDF, January 2026)

How to use the chart

Work from the program you are applying for, not from the overall score.

1
Find your program's minimum
Check the IRCC page for your program: the minimum CLB for each ability, and whether it differs by job (TEER) or program type.
2
Look up each skill separately
Find the PTE Core score that starts each required CLB band, for all four skills. The overall score is not used for CLB.
3
Plan for your weakest skill
One skill below the minimum is enough to miss the level. At CLB 7 and CLB 8, the chart asks for the highest scores in Writing and Speaking.
4
Aim above the boundary
A score at the very bottom of a band leaves no margin. Practise until your estimates sit comfortably inside the band you need.
5
Check the dates
Express Entry needs results less than 2 years old when you create your profile and when you apply.

Common mistakes

Using one score for all four skills
The bands differ by skill: a 75 is CLB 8 in Listening and Reading but CLB 7 in Speaking and Writing.
Taking PTE Academic for Express Entry
IRCC says you must take PTE Core for Express Entry.
Checking only the overall score
IRCC uses the four skills scores. The overall score does not decide your CLB.
Relying on an old chart
Pearson reviews the alignment periodically. Use IRCC's current page.
Treating a practice estimate as a CLB result
Only results from an approved test count. Practice estimates are for planning.

Worked example

A set of PTE Core scores we made up, converted with the official chart.

Our original example, not a real test item

Does this candidate reach CLB 7 in every skill?

PTE Core skill scores

Listening 72 · Reading 66 · Speaking 74 · Writing 70

Converted with the chart

Listening 72 → CLB 8 (71–81)

Reading 66 → CLB 7 (60–68)

Speaking 74 → CLB 7 (68–75)

Writing 70 → CLB 7 (69–78)

Why it works

Every skill is at CLB 7 or above, so this candidate meets the CLB 7 minimum of the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
Writing (70) and Speaking (74) are close to their band edges: one point lower in Writing (68) would be CLB 6 and miss the minimum.
Two more Speaking points (76) would reach CLB 8, which earns 5 points for that ability instead of 4 in the Federal Skilled Worker selection grid.

See an estimated CLB range for your speaking

Your first full PTE Core speaking mock is free: every speaking task on the published timings, with an estimated score, feedback on every answer and the CLB levels your estimated Speaking score covers. It is a practice estimate, not an official CLB result. No credit card needed.

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AI estimate for practice. Not an official score.

PTE Core and CLB questions

What PTE Core score is CLB 7?

Listening 60–70, Reading 60–68, Speaking 68–75 and Writing 69–78, from the chart Pearson and IRCC publish.

What PTE Core score is CLB 9?

Listening 82–88, Reading 78–87, Speaking 84–88 and Writing 88–89.

What PTE Core Speaking score do I need for CLB 10?

89 or 90. In Writing, CLB 10 needs 90; in Listening 89–90 and in Reading 88–90.

Does IRCC accept PTE Academic?

Not for Express Entry: IRCC's Express Entry page says you must take the PTE Core option. It lists CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core as the approved English tests.

What PTE Core score do I need for Canadian citizenship?

Applicants aged 18 to 54 need CLB 4 in speaking and listening. IRCC gives that as at least 42 in Speaking and 28 in Listening on PTE Core.

Is the overall PTE Core score used for CLB?

No. IRCC converts each of the four skills scores to a CLB level and checks each one against the program's minimum.

Sources

Every timing, count and scoring fact on this page comes from these official pages. Last reviewed 7 October 2026. Test owners change their tests: check the official pages before you book.