Can you give me a simple breakdown of the four main CRS sections?

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) divides points across four sections. Understanding the structure helps you identify where your profile is strong and where improvement is possible.

Section A is core human capital factors — the largest section. It awards points for age, education, language proficiency in English or French (your first official language), and Canadian work experience. All Express Entry candidates are scored here, and scores are slightly different for candidates who include a spouse versus those who do not. This section typically carries the most weight.

Section B covers spousal or common-law partner factors — points for your partner's education, language ability, and Canadian work experience if you include them in your profile. If you are single or not including a partner, this section scores zero.

Section C is skill transferability — bonus points for complementary combinations: strong language paired with education, strong language paired with foreign work experience, or foreign experience paired with Canadian work experience. Maximum caps apply to each sub-combination and to the section as a whole.

Section D is additional points — a distinct list that includes a provincial or territorial nomination (the largest single item), a qualifying Canadian job offer, Canadian post-secondary education, strong French language ability alongside English, and a qualifying Canadian sibling.