A member (NOC 0013, IELTS CLB 10, age 34, with an MBA that WES evaluated as only equivalent to a 1-year PG Diploma) had a CRS of 435-440 with a spouse, and asked for alternatives to boost their score.
What the thread suggested:- A French language test can add substantial CRS points — roughly 40 points at CLB 7. This was highlighted as one of the more impactful levers available, though it requires starting largely from scratch if you don't already have French ability, and could take a year or more to reach CLB 7.
- Getting your MBA re-evaluated by a different assessment body (IQAS instead of WES) might yield a different education-level result, which combined with a French score could specifically help with Quebec immigration pathways.
- Double-check your CRS calculation carefully — one member suggested the applicant's actual score, once properly recalculated, might land closer to 450+, indicating it's worth re-verifying the math rather than assuming the lower figure is final.
The practical takeaway: if your CRS is capped partly by a lower-than-expected education-credential evaluation, consider both re-evaluating your degree through a different assessment body and pursuing French language testing (worth roughly 40 CRS points at CLB 7) — and double-check your CRS calculation, since it's easy to under- or overestimate.