What Is the Passing Score For CELPIP?

The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program, otherwise known as CELPIP, is a test regarding language assessment. The CELPIP is required by the Canadian government and officials for immigrants applying to Canada for permanent residence, citizenship, and professional designation. This test aims to gauge the candidate’s ability to understand and communicate in the English language daily, in a professional setting, and engage with written material. 

Similar to the IELTS, candidates who appear for the CELPIP require a minimum score to pass the test to prove their English language proficiency, which could make them eligible to apply for a Canadian visa. Thus, the question may occur: What is the passing score for CELPIP? 

If you are sitting for the CELPIP General test required for immigration, it covers the reading, writing, speaking, and listening sections. For each section, a maximum of 12 marks can be attained aligned with the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB). If you are applying through Express Entry, an online system used for managing applications of skilled workers applying for a permanent Canadian residence, the passing score would be contingent upon your Canadian immigration application requirements. 

In that case, a passing score of 7 is required in each section to pass the CELPIP test for Express Entry. However, the maximum score you can achieve is a total of 24, and the minimum score you can receive is level M. Level M dictates that the candidate possesses minimal ability to proficiently speak the English Language, or that there is an inadequate amount of information to assess from. 

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Candidates need to understand what each score denotes

Candidates need to understand what each score denotes to assess their standing in the English language. Moreover, it will assist them in achieving a higher score by knowing the requirements of each level consists of. 

• Level 12 and 11: Level 12 is the highest score attainable and denotes “Advanced proficiency in workplace and community contexts.” Although a CELPIP level 11 is the next best score to achieve, its denotation is the same as Level 12. 

• Level 10: Achieving a CELPIP level 10 score represents a solid grasp of the English Language as it means the candidate has a “Highly effective proficiency in workplace and community contexts.” 

The listening and reading modules are where the MCQs are applied.

In the reading section, there are a total of 38 questions broken down into four segments. For a candidate to achieve a high score between levels 10-12, they must get 33-38 questions correct. 

Similarly, the listening section is divided into six segments as well where all questions add up to 38 marks. A candidate must achieve 35-38 MCQs correct to secure a CELPIP score between levels 10-12. 

• Level 9: Represents “Effective proficiency in workplace and community contexts.” A candidate is eligible for a Level 9 CELPIP score if their reading score is between 31-33 and their listening score is between 33-35. 

• Level 8: A Level 8 CELPIP score means the candidate has sufficient understanding of the English Language as it represents “Good proficiency in workplace and community contexts.” The candidate must score anywhere between 28-31 in the reading section and 30-33 in the listening section to achieve this level. 

• Level 7: A CELPIP score of level 7 is the minimum score required to pass the CELPIP test for permanent residence in Canada. It means that the candidate has an “Adequate proficiency in workplace and community contexts.” Since this is the benchmark score, the candidate must secure 24-28 MCQs correct in the reading module and 27-31 in the listening module. 

• Level 6: Obtaining a CELPIP Score of Level 6 displays that the candidate has room for improvement, representing that they have “Developing proficiency in workplace and community contexts.” Securing 19-25 MCQs correct in the reading segment can ensure the candidate a Level 6, coupled with a correct score of 22-28 in the listening section. 

• Level 5: This represents “Acquiring proficiency in workplace and community contexts.” A reading score between 15-20 out of the total 38 and a listening score between 17-23 will place you within this threshold. 

• Level 4: Achieving a CELPIP score of Level 4 highlights that the candidate is well equipped with the English Language to function at a basic level in society. It denotes “Adequate proficiency in daily life activities.” A candidate is at a level 4 CELPIP score if they get 10-16 MCQs correct in the reading module and 11-18 in the listening module.

• Level 3: A candidate at Level 3 of the CELPIP test is still struggling to get a decent grasp of the basics of the English language. It shows that there is “Some proficiency in limited contexts.” 8-11 in the reading section and 7-12 in the listening section would place the candidate in a level 3 score.  

• Level M: This is the lowest level of the CELPIP test that a candidate can score. It means, “Minimal proficiency or insufficient information to assess.” Getting approximately 0-7 in the reading and listening sections individually places a candidate in the Level M band.  

The information above regarding the dissection of the CELPIP scoring levels is for attaining a permanent residence in Canada for which the CELPIP General test is required. However, for securing citizenship in Canada, it is suggested to take the CELPIP General LS test. 

Approved by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IBCC) department, the General LS test is an easier version of the General test and only consists of assessing the candidates listening and speaking abilities. It takes approximately 3 hours for the candidate to perform the CELPIP General test in one sitting; whereas, the CELPIP General LS test requires about 1 hour and 10 minutes. 

Moreover, the CELPIP General LS test is also aligned with the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) test. All applicants between the age of eighteen and fifty-four must possess a proficiency level of at least Level 4. Hence, the passing score required for the CELPIP General LS test is a level 4, scoring at least 4 points each in the listening and speaking sections. Achieving a level 4 score ensures that the candidate has the basic knowledge of English required to carry out daily activities.

Get The Best CELPIP Coaching

Centre For Success’s CELPIP coaching program is the only authorized coaching program in North India (celpip.ca). Learn with our result-oriented certified teachers with 10+ years of experience and Official Paragon materials