A minimum IELTS score of 6 per band is required to be eligible to apply for Canada PR Visa through the Express entry program. The score band of 6.5 is considered competent and is borderline B2/C1 as per statistics and the institution’s standards.
When it comes to immigration to Canada, especially when you want to explore the Express Entry pathway, you would need every point you can accumulate. This is because when you fill out a profile for Express Entry, your application will be ranked according to a points system.
If you are highly ranked, you will be invited to apply for permanent residence as a skilled immigrant. Once you have applied, your PR application will then be processed within the next 6 months.
Now, part of the areas where you can accumulate points that can qualify you to be placed in the pool is your IELTS score. The requirement for Express Entry is that you should be able to demonstrate on an approved language test a minimum of a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) seven in either English or French.
What is a Good IELTS Score for Canada Immigration?
The truth is that there is no fixed good IELTS score when it comes to immigrating to Canada because there are other areas where you can accumulate points like your academic qualifications, your work experience, your Canadian ties, family et al. Aside from that, there are other immigration pathways that will require a lower IELTS score.
For example, a minimum IELTS score of 6 per band is required to be eligible to apply for Canada PR Visa through the Express entry program. That is equivalent to CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) Band 7. Once you have submitted your express profile in the express pool, with your CRS score, you can get the ITA that allows you to submit your application for Canada PR Visa to IRCC.
The score band of 6.5 is considered competent and is borderline B2/C1 as per statistics and the institution’s standards. But to be on the safer side, an IELTS band score of 7.5 is recommended. This will place you on a pedestal to compete with the best applicants around the world who are hoping to immigrate to Canada.
Please note that even though a 6.5 IELTS score is considered a good score, you can still work hard to earn above that. With a 6.5 IELTS score, you are considered a competent user and have an effective command of the English language with some inaccuracies and inappropriate usage in certain situations.
A band of 7 IELTS score means that you are a good user and have a good command of the English language with occasional inaccuracies.
A band of 8 IELTS scores means that you are of very good use and have operational command of the English language. You may misunderstand in certain unfamiliar situations.
And a band of 9 IELTS scores means that you are an expert user and have operational command of the language. You use the English language fluently and accurately.
How to Score High IELTS Score in 2023
Table of Contents
1. Understand What the Test Is All About
One of the easiest ways to pass any exam including IELTS is to understand what the exams are all about and the areas where you need to put in the extra effort. The truth is that every individual should be able to know their strength and their weaknesses hence you should be able to know where extra effort is required.
Please note that IELTS is scored on a scale of 0 to 9. The final IELTS score is around off to the nearest tens. For example, if a candidate has scored 6.4 then it would be rounded off to 6 and if a candidate scored 6.5 then it would be rounded off to 7.
For every score, the user’s skill can be measured. Like if a candidate has scored an 8 then he/she is a very good user of the language, whereas, if a candidate scored 4 then he/she is a limited user of the language and might face difficulty in understanding and using the language.
2. Study Past Materials and Practice as Often as Possible
Another key factor that will help you achieve a high IELTS score is your ability to study past materials. Trust me, when it comes to IELTS, the more your study and practice, the higher your chance of passing the exams with flying colors.
There are several resources on the internet that you can use to prepare and practice before writing your IELTS exams. Most of these resources are free while you might have to pay to access some. Remember, they say practice makes perfect and you can never practice enough. Practicing is a continuous process until you write the exam.
3. Set a Plan
It is one thing to be well-prepared for an exam, but another kettle of fish to be able to execute your plans. The IELTS has different sections with different time frames i.e., Listening (30 minutes), Reading (60 minutes), Writing (60 minutes), and Speaking (11 to 14 minutes). So, all you need to do is to set your plan on how to approach the exams.
For example, the reading Listening sections have 40 questions each, one can get a maximum of 40 in each of the sections. Please note that the marks you get from this test are raw scores that are then converted to the band score by the IELTS administrator.
Useful tip – To get a higher IELTS score, for example, an 8-band score in listening and reading you need to get 89 percent of the marks. Since IELTS reading and listening have 40 questions each, to get band 8, you have to at least answer 36 questions correctly.
4. Arrive On-time
Many people have failed their exams because they arrived late at the exam venue not because they are not prepared for the exams. Sometimes, when you arrive late for an exam, you will be destabilized and unsettled and before you know it, you may likely forget all that you have read.
Usually, you should try and get to the venue of your IELTS exam center at least an hour before the exams. It will allow you to settle down, study the environment, and perhaps ask to get some useful instructions that will place you at an advantage before the exams commence. Trust me, if you are relaxed, you will be able to give a better performance.
5. Come With Your Writing Materials
Another factor that can help you pass your IELTS exam with flying colors is to make sure you come with what is expected of you. The truth is that, if you didn’t come with what is expected of you, you will be destabilized. If you want to write an IELTS exam, you are expected to come with;
- Your ID/identification document (national identity card or original & valid international passport)
- A pencil and pen (a pencil will be needed for Listening and Reading)
- An eraser
You are also expected to abide by the instructions given per time. You cannot bring mobile phones, electronic devices, keys, wallets, food, bags, watch/smartwatch/fit-bit, and all other belongings into the exam hall. You must switch off your mobile phones and place them with your personal belongings in the area designated by the supervisor.
Usually, a secure room for personal belongings is available. You are strongly advised not to bring any valuable items with you to the test.
In Conclusion,
The fact that IELTS is mandatory for anyone who wants to immigrate to Canada means that you should do all that is required of you to get a high score. Proving English language proficiency is necessary for the Canadian immigration process. The only option where you can move to Canada without IELTS is temporary, i.e., Canada’s visitor or work visa.