Understand how CELPIP Reading is scored. Convert your raw score (out of 38 questions) to CELPIP levels and CLB bands. Complete scoring breakdown with examples.
This chart shows approximate ranges. Your actual CELPIP level may vary by ±1 level depending on question difficulty and test calibration. Use this as a general guide.
| Correct Answers | CELPIP Level | CLB Level | Performance Description | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35-38 | 12 | 12 | Advanced - Near-native comprehension of complex academic texts | |
| 33-34 | 11 | 11 | Advanced - Excellent understanding of sophisticated materials | |
| 31-32 | 10 | 10 | Advanced - Can understand complex professional documents | |
| 29-30 | 9 | 9 | Effective - Comprehends detailed professional and technical texts | |
| 26-28 | 8 | 8 | Good - Handles workplace reading with ease, good vocabulary | |
| 23-25 | 7 | 7 | Adequate - Understands standard business texts and reports | |
| 19-22 | 6 | 6 | Developing - Grasps main ideas in familiar workplace contexts | |
| 15-18 | 5 | 5 | Initial Intermediate - Basic workplace reading comprehension | |
| 11-14 | 4 | 4 | Basic - Can read simple texts and basic instructions | |
| 8-10 | 3 | 3 | Limited - Very basic reading ability, short simple texts | |
| 0-7 | M | 0-2 | Minimal - Insufficient reading ability for assessment |
| Part | Task Type | Questions | Time | Difficulty Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | Reading Correspondence (emails, letters) | 11 | 11 min | Medium |
| Part 2 | Reading to Apply a Diagram | 8 | 9 min | High |
| Part 3 | Reading for Information | 9 | 10 min | Medium-High |
| Part 4 | Reading for Viewpoints | 10 | 10 min | High |
Questions in high difficulty sections (Parts 2 & 4) may carry more weight in the final score calculation. This means getting these questions correct is more valuable for achieving higher CELPIP levels.
Not all questions carry equal weight. Harder questions in Parts 2 and 4 contribute more to your final level.
Each test version is calibrated differently. The same raw score might result in different CELPIP levels.
28 correct answers could result in:
This is why the chart shows ranges rather than exact conversions.
| CELPIP Reading | IELTS Reading Band | Key Differences |
|---|---|---|
| 10-12 | 8.5-9.0 | CELPIP more practical, IELTS more academic |
| 9 | 7.5-8.0 | Similar comprehension level for professional contexts |
| 8 | 7.0 | Both require good vocabulary and inference skills |
| 7 | 6.0-6.5 | Adequate for most immigration programs |
| 6 | 5.5 | Intermediate level, workplace reading |
| 5 | 5.0 | Basic professional reading skills |
| 4 | 4.5 | Limited range, simple texts only |
| 3 | 4.0 | Very basic reading comprehension |
| M | Below 4.0 | Insufficient for assessment purposes |
| CELPIP Reading | TOEFL Reading (/30) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10-12 | 28-30 | Near-native reading comprehension |
| 9 | 24-27 | University-ready reading skills |
| 8 | 21-23 | Good academic reading ability |
| 7 | 18-20 | Adequate for most academic programs |
| 6 | 14-17 | Developing academic reading skills |
| 5 | 10-13 | Basic understanding of texts |
| 4 | 7-9 | Limited reading ability |
| 3 | 4-6 | Minimal reading comprehension |
Minimum CLB 7 (23-25 correct answers)
Higher scores give more CRS points
NOC 0,A: CLB 7 (23-25 correct)
NOC B: CLB 5 (15-18 correct)
CLB 4 in Reading (11-14 correct answers)
Lower requirement for Reading than other skills
Varies by province: CLB 4-7
Check specific PNP requirements
Add up all correct responses across all 4 reading parts (max 38)
Locate your score in the conversion chart above
Your actual level may be ±1 from the chart estimate
Convert to CLB level for immigration purposes
Rushing through questions without understanding what's being asked
Missing important words like "NOT," "EXCEPT," or "ALWAYS"
Spending too much time on difficult questions, leaving easy ones unanswered
Struggling with Part 2 - not understanding how to apply diagrams
For CLB 7, you typically need 23-25 correct answers out of 38. This means you can miss 13-15 questions and still achieve CLB 7, which is the minimum for Express Entry.
Not necessarily. Due to weighted scoring, 31 correct answers could result in level 8, 9, or even 10, depending on which specific questions you answered correctly. Harder questions carry more weight.
No. Questions in Parts 2 (Reading to Apply a Diagram) and Part 4 (Reading for Viewpoints) typically carry more weight as they test higher-level reading skills.
Yes, absolutely! There's no penalty for wrong answers, so always guess if you're unsure. You have a 25% chance of being correct on multiple-choice questions.
With consistent practice, most students see 1-2 level improvement in 2-3 months. Vocabulary building and practice with CELPIP-specific question types are key.
Most test-takers score between levels 6-8. Level 7 (CLB 7) is common among international students and skilled workers.
CELPIP Reading focuses more on practical, workplace scenarios while IELTS is more academic. Many find CELPIP more straightforward due to its Canadian context and clear question formats.
No, dictionaries or any external aids are not allowed during the CELPIP test. You must rely on your vocabulary knowledge and context clues.
Practice with real CELPIP Reading tests and get detailed feedback on your performance. Track your progress and identify areas for improvement.
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