How to Prepare for the IELTS for Express Entry (2026) | ImmigraCan

IELTS General Training — the most used test to immigrate to Canada

IELTS General Training is the language test most used by Brazilians in the Express Entry process. It tests listening, reading, writing, and speaking and converts each result into a CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) score — IRCC's official scale.

In this guide, you'll learn the test format, which scores to aim for, how to study for each section, and the mistakes that cost Brazilians precious CRS points.

Important: only IELTS General is accepted

IELTS has two versions:

• IELTS Academic — for university admission
• IELTS General Training — for immigration and work

IRCC only accepts the General Training version for economic programs like Express Entry, PNP, and Federal Skilled Trades. Taking the Academic version by mistake costs CAD 320, and you'll need to retake it.

Test format (2 hours and 45 minutes)

| Section | Duration | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 30 min + 10 min transfer | 40 questions, 4 sections (conversation, monologue, discussion, lecture) |
| Reading | 60 min | 40 questions across 3 texts (news, articles, practical guide) |
| Writing | 60 min | Task 1: letter (150 words) + Task 2: essay (250 words) |
| Speaking | 11-14 min | Personal interview in 3 parts |

The test can be taken on paper or computer. The computer version delivers results in 3-5 days — the paper version takes up to 13 days.

CLB targets by program

| Program | Minimum CLB | IELTS General equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Express Entry FSW | 7 across all | L:6.0 / R:6.0 / W:6.0 / S:6.0 |
| Express Entry CEC (TEER 0-1) | 7 across all | L:6.0 / R:6.0 / W:6.0 / S:6.0 |
| Express Entry CEC (TEER 2-3) | 5 across all | L:5.0 / R:4.0 / W:5.0 / S:5.0 |
| Competitive CRS | CLB 9 | L:8.0 / R:7.0 / W:7.0 / S:7.0 |
| Top 10% CRS | CLB 10 | L:8.5 / R:8.0 / W:7.5 / S:7.5 |

Realistic target for Brazilians who want to receive an ITA: CLB 9 across the board. This adds ~30 points vs. CLB 7 and makes a huge difference in the competition.

How to study for each section

Listening (hit 8.0 = CLB 9)

The section Brazilians struggle with most — British accent and fast pace.

Strategies:
- Listen for 1 hour/day to BBC News, TED Talks, podcasts like "BBC Global News"
- Do Cambridge mock tests (13 to 18) with a timer
- Practice taking notes while listening — never "just listen passively"
- Always review wrong answers and understand why you got them wrong

Tip: sections 3 and 4 (academic discussion and lecture) are the hardest. Don't leave them for the end of your prep.

Reading (hit 7.0 = CLB 9)

Easier for Brazilians with good English reading skills, but tricky due to time pressure.

Strategies:
- Skim first, scan later — read the questions before diving into the text
- Never get stuck on one question — 1 minute max, mark it and move on
- Practice True/False/Not Given — the classic Brazilian mistake is confusing "Not Given" with "False"
- Read the news in English daily (The Guardian, CBC News)

Practical goal: complete 40 questions in 55 minutes to leave 5 min for review.

Writing (hit 7.0 = CLB 9) — the hardest

Where Brazilians lose the most points.

Task 1 (letter, 150 words):
- Always 3 points that must be covered (stated in the question)
- Format: greeting → introductory paragraph → detail paragraph → closing
- Tone depends on the recipient (formal, semi-formal, informal)

Task 2 (essay, 250 words):
- Classic structure: introduction → 2 body paragraphs → conclusion
- Use connectors: *however, furthermore, in contrast, for instance*
- Avoid long sentences — clarity beats sophistication
- NEVER write fewer than 250 words (automatic point loss)

Strategies:
- Write 1 Task 1 + 1 Task 2 per day and have someone correct them (Grammarly + a teacher)
- Study the official band descriptors to know exactly what the examiner is looking for
- Practice introduction/conclusion templates

Speaking (hit 7.0 = CLB 9)

An 11-14 minute interview with a human examiner.

Format:
- Part 1: personal questions (5 min) — family, work, hobbies
- Part 2: 2-minute monologue on a given topic (with 1 minute of prep)
- Part 3: discussion about the Part 2 topic (4-5 min)

Strategies:
- Speak 30 min/day in English (Cambly, italki, tandem)
- Record yourself answering common questions and listen back
- Learn to "stretch" your answers — never respond with just yes/no
- Practice Part 2 with a 2-minute timer — most people speak too little

Suggested timeline (6 months)

Months 1-2: Diagnosis

• Take 1 full mock test to know your starting point
• Focus on your weakest skill

Months 3-4: Guided practice

• 4 mock tests a month (1 per week)
• 1-on-1 classes focused on writing and speaking

Month 5: Intensive prep

• 1 mock test per week with human correction
• Fine-tune your strategy by section

Month 6: Official test

• Rest during test week
• Take the test on the computer version if possible (faster results)

Precautions on test day

• Valid passport — without it you can't take the test
• Arrive 45 min early — being late means disqualification
• Watch out for the pen — most centers require the official IELTS-issued HB pencil
• No phones allowed — even turned off, it causes cancellation
• Drink water beforehand — no liquids allowed in the computer test

How much it costs and how many times you can take it

• Cost in 2026: ~CAD 320 (R$ 1,500) in Brazil
• Result validity: 2 years for Express Entry
• Retakes: as many times as you want

Many Brazilians take it 2-3 times before hitting CLB 9 across the board. If you can, treat the first attempt as a "real diagnosis" and the second with a refined strategy.

Alternative: CELPIP

If you prefer a Canadian accent and a 100% digital format, consider CELPIP-General — also accepted by IRCC. It has a 1:1 conversion with CLB (CELPIP score = CLB), which is more intuitive. Taken entirely on a computer, with results in 8 days.

Use our CLB converter to compare the scores of both exams.

Conclusion

IELTS General is a test that rewards targeted preparation — not just good English. With 6 months of consistent study and mock test practice, Brazilians with an intermediate level reach CLB 9 without major difficulty.

Once you've hit your target, simulate your full CRS score with the CRS calculator and see how much your score increased with the new language result.

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*This content is informational and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. ImmigraCan is not affiliated with the Government of Canada, IRCC, or IDP/British Council. Always confirm official data on canada.ca and ielts.org and, for your specific case, consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or lawyer.*