Lost CRS Points for Arranged Employment? Boost Your Express Entry Score with Language Tests

If you’re applying for Canadian permanent residency through Express Entry, language proficiency is one of the most critical factors that can significantly influence your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score—and ultimately your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Why Language Scores Matter in Express Entry

As a sole applicant, you can earn up to 310 CRS points solely for language proficiency. This includes points in core human capital, skill transferability, and additional points for French language skills. Maximizing your language test results is a powerful strategy to boost your overall CRS score, especially if you have lost points elsewhere, such as for arranged employment.

Unlike other factors, you can retake language tests multiple times. As your proficiency improves, you can submit new results to IRCC to increase your CRS score and stay competitive in the Express Entry pool.

Moreover, achieving a high level of French proficiency can open doors to French-language category-based draws, which tend to have lower CRS cut-offs compared to other draws in 2024 and 2025.

CRS Points Breakdown for Language Proficiency

CRS Section	Maximum Points Available for Language Proficiency
Core Human Capital	160
Skill Transferability	100 (50 + 50)
Additional Points – French	50

Real-World Example: How Language Boost Changed Amy’s CRS Score

Consider Amy, a 30-year-old Express Entry candidate with the following profile:

Bachelor’s degree from a Canadian university
3 years of foreign work experience
5 years of Canadian work experience
English proficiency at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 8 across all abilities
CRS score of 515 points

Despite this solid profile, Amy missed the recent Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws, where cut-off scores were 527, 521, and 547.

After several months of focused study, Amy retook her English language test and achieved CLB 9 across all abilities. This improvement raised her CRS score to 559 points, well above recent CEC cut-offs, greatly increasing her chances of receiving an ITA.

Factor	Points at CLB 8	Points at CLB 9
Age	105	105
Level of Education	120	120
Official Languages Proficiency	92	124
Canadian Work Experience	80	80
Skill Transferability (Language + Education)	13	25
Skill Transferability (Canadian Work + Education)	25	25
Skill Transferability (Foreign Work + Canadian Work)	50	50
Additional Points (Post-secondary Education in Canada)	30	30
Total Points	515	559

Amy gained 44 additional CRS points by raising her language proficiency by just one CLB level—a clear example of how language skills can make a decisive difference.

Tips to Boost Your Language Test Score

Here are practical steps to help you improve your English or French language test results:

1. Study Daily

Consistency is key. Build a daily habit of studying language skills, even if only for 20-30 minutes, and reward yourself for maintaining this routine.

2. Immerse Yourself

Immersion accelerates language learning. For French, consider immersion or exchange programs where you are surrounded by the language for several weeks.

3. Get Real-World Practice

Use the language actively—join conversation groups, book clubs, or interact with native speakers. Real-world usage builds confidence beyond textbook exercises.

4. Take Practice Tests

Practice tests familiarize you with exam format and content, while also helping you develop test-taking skills. This reduces anxiety and improves performance on the actual test day.

5. Use Free and Affordable Resources

Many language testing bodies offer free sample tests and preparation materials. Utilize these resources along with online practice tools, webinars, and study guides to prepare effectively.

Conclusion

If you’ve lost CRS points in areas such as arranged employment, focusing on improving your language test scores is one of the most efficient ways to regain competitive standing in the Express Entry pool. With no limit on retakes and a wealth of resources available, it’s a strategic move that can make all the difference in your Canadian immigration journey.