Interim Pathway for Caregivers: Take a language test
The Interim Pathway for Caregivers ended on October 8, 2019. If you submitted an application before or on October 8, we’ll continue to process it.
If you need to send us your language test results or educational credential assessment, follow the instructions in the guide.
Language test
To prove your language skills in English or French, you need to take an approved language test. To do this:
- schedule your test with an approved agency
- pay the test costs
After you take your test and get your results compare them to the charts below to see what Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level you have. If you meet the minimum score of CLB 5 in all 4 abilities, include the original test results when you apply (photocopies are not acceptable)
Your test results must be less than 2 years old when you apply.
Approved language tests
You can take any of the following approved language tests.
Note: Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) centres aren’t approved testing agencies for people who apply through the Interim Pathway for Caregivers.
English
CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
CELPIP has 2 tests. You must take the “CELPIP-G” test.
| Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 and above CELPIP-G |
9+ | 9+ | 9+ | 9+ |
| 8 CELPIP-G |
8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 7 CELPIP-G |
7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| 6 CELPIP-G |
6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 5 CELPIP-G |
5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
IELTS: International English Language Testing System
IELTS has 2 options for the reading and writing tests. You must take the “General Training” test.
| Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 and above | 8.0-9.0 | 7.0-9.0 | 7.0-9.0 | 7.0-9.0 |
| 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| 5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
French
TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français
You must submit results from these TEF Canada tests as proof of your French language skills:
- compréhension de l’écrit
- compréhension de l’oral
- expression écrite
- expression orale
| Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level | Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Writing (expression écrite) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 and above | 371+ | 298+ | 248+ | 371+ |
| 8 | 349 – 370 | 280 – 297 | 233 – 247 | 349 – 370 |
| 7 | 310 – 348 | 249 – 279 | 207 – 232 | 310 – 348 |
| 6 | 271 – 309 | 217 – 248 | 181 – 206 | 271 – 309 |
| 5 | 226 – 270 | 181 – 216 | 151 – 180 | 226 – 270 |
TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français
You must submit results from the TCF Canada tests as proof of your French language skills:
- compréhension de l’écrit
- compréhension de l’oral
- expression écrite
- expression orale
| Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level | Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Writing (expression écrite) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 and above | 16 – 20 | 549 – 699 | 549 – 699 | 16 – 20 |
| 9 | 14 – 15 | 523 – 548 | 524 – 548 | 14 – 15 |
| 8 | 12 – 13 | 503 – 522 | 499 – 523 | 12 – 13 |
| 7 | 10 – 11 | 458 – 502 | 453 – 498 | 10 – 11 |
| 6 | 7 – 9 | 398 – 457 | 406 – 452 | 7 – 9 |
| 5 | 6 | 369 – 397 | 375 – 405 | 6 |
If you can’t get your language test results in time
If you can’t get your language test results before the Interim Pathway for Caregivers closes, you should schedule your test for the earliest available date. In your application, make sure you:
- include proof that you made an appointment to take a language test with an approved agency, and
- include the date that you’ll be taking your test
Send us your original test results as soon as you get them. The date on your test results must match the date you gave us on your application.
If you don’t include your test results or proof that you’ve made an appointment to take a test, your application won’t be processed and will be sent back to you.
You cannot ask for your language test results to be sent directly to us.
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