CELPIP Reading Score Chart: Raw Score out of 38 to CLB

Official CELPIP Reading raw score chart

Correct answers (out of 38)	CELPIP level	CLB
33–38	Level 10–12	CLB 10+
31–33	Level 9	CLB 9
28–31	Level 8	CLB 8
24–28	Level 7	CLB 7
19–25	Level 6	CLB 6
15–20	Level 5	CLB 5
10–16	Level 4	CLB 4
8–11	Level 3	CLB 3
0–7	M	Below CLB 3

Source: Paragon Testing, “Raw Scores and CELPIP Levels for the Reading Test”. Paragon calls it an approximate guide. The ranges overlap because the score needed for each level shifts slightly between test forms.

CELPIP Reading score by number of correct answers

Where a score falls on the border of two levels, both are shown. Aim for the top of a range, not the bottom.

Your raw score	Likely CELPIP level
38 / 38	Level 10–12
37 / 38	Level 10–12
36 / 38	Level 10–12
35 / 38	Level 10–12
34 / 38	Level 10–12
33 / 38	Level 9 or 10–12
32 / 38	Level 9
31 / 38	Level 8 or 9
30 / 38	Level 8
29 / 38	Level 8
28 / 38	Level 7 or 8
27 / 38	Level 7
26 / 38	Level 7
25 / 38	Level 6 or 7
24 / 38	Level 6 or 7
23 / 38	Level 6
22 / 38	Level 6
21 / 38	Level 6
20 / 38	Level 5 or 6

What Reading score do you need?

Goal	Reading level	Aim for (out of 38)
Canada FSW minimum (CLB 7)	7	27+
Express Entry CLB 9 bonus	9	33+
Maximum CRS (CLB 10)	10	35+
Australia Competent English	7	27+
Australia Proficient English (+10)	8	30+
Australia Superior English (+20)	10	35+

The “aim for” scores sit at the safe end of each range, so a harder test form doesn't drop you a level. For Australian points, see CELPIP scores for Australian PR.

How the 38 Reading questions are split

Part	Task	Questions
1	Reading Correspondence	11
2	Reading to Apply a Diagram	8
3	Reading for Information	9
4	Reading for Viewpoints	10

Most lost marks come from Part 3, where the answer options paraphrase the text, and Part 4, which needs you to follow several writers' opinions. If you are a few answers short of CLB 9, drill those two parts first.

How to raise your Reading score by 3–5 answers

Watch the clock in Part 3. It is where most people run out of time. Answer every question; there is no penalty for guessing.
Read the questions first in Parts 1 and 4, then scan for the matching paragraph.
Watch for paraphrase. The right answer rarely repeats the text's words; the wrong ones often do.
Practise with full 38-question sets, so your raw score maps straight onto this chart. Try a timed Reading mock.

Frequently asked questions

How many correct answers do I need for CLB 9 in CELPIP Reading?

About 31–33 out of 38. Paragon's official chart puts Level 9 at 31–33 correct and Level 10–12 at 33–38. Aim for 33 to be safe, because the exact cut-off varies slightly between test forms.

What is 27 out of 38 in CELPIP Reading?

Level 7 (CLB 7). Level 7 covers 24–28 correct answers, and Level 8 starts at about 28.

What is 30 out of 38 in CELPIP Reading?

Level 8 (CLB 8). You need roughly one to three more correct answers to reach Level 9.

How many questions are in CELPIP Reading?

38 scored questions across four parts: Reading Correspondence, Reading to Apply a Diagram, Reading for Information and Reading for Viewpoints. The test can also include unscored questions, which don't count toward your 38.

Is the CELPIP Reading score chart exact?

No. Paragon publishes it as an approximate guide. Some questions are harder than others, so the raw score needed for a level changes slightly from one test form to another. That is why the ranges overlap.

Is the Reading score chart the same as Listening?

No. Reading needs slightly fewer correct answers than Listening for the same level. For example, Level 10–12 starts at 33 in Reading but 35 in Listening.

CELPIP Reading score chart