IELTS and TCF/TEF for Express Entry

[TDog39]

Hello,
My score is currently 385 and I'm 30 years old (as of September).
My IELTS scores are 8 in listening, 8 in reading, 6.5 in writing and 8 in speaking.
I also have a bachelor's degree but I have a diploma that I have just finished and I will send it to WES soon.
So if the diploma is assessed correctly I should have a score of 405.
I played a bit with calculator and it seems if I max out my IELTS (it's possible for me to max it out since the score I currently have was without any preparation) it seems like I can get 469 which 2 points below the last draw.
Is it true though that maxing out the IELTS can give me such boost (specifically writing)??

Also does studying French and aiming for B2 in 1-2 years make sense? After playing with the calculator a bit I got 505 at the age of 31 or 32 which is a lot more than the current average.

EDIT:
I was looking at this https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/language-requirements/language-testing.html and where it shows the score you get from the TCF exam if French is your second language it says "Second official language (4 points if you meet the minimum threshold in each of the four language abilities)". Does this mean that if French is your second language you can only get 4 points at max???). I am asking because using the official calculator, I was able to get many extra points by having what is equivalent to B2 in French.

 

[primaprime]

Yes, if you raise your writing score to 7 then you can unlock up to 50 bonus points under section C (skill transferability) for being above CLB 9 in all four test areas. Same with French, where you can earn up to 24 points under section A (human capital), plus a 30-point bonus for scoring highly in both French and English under section D (additional factors).

See the CRS grid here; the other page you've linked is the separate scoring system for the Federal Skilled Worker program. Once you're above 67 points there, then you shift to the CRS grid for Express Entry.

 

[TDog39]

Yes, if you raise your writing score to 7 then you can unlock up to 50 bonus points under section C (skill transferability) for being above CLB 9 in all four test areas. Same with French, where you can earn up to 24 points under section A (human capital), plus a 30-point bonus for scoring highly in both French and English under section D (additional factors).

See the CRS grid here; the other page you've linked is the separate scoring system for the Federal Skilled Worker program. Once you're above 67 points there, then you shift to the CRS grid for Express Entry.

Ah thanks for clearing this out!

What do you mean that if I have above 67 points there (where?) then I shift to the "CRS grid for Express Entry"?

 

[primaprime]

The 67 points on the FSW selection grid. You need 67 points to qualify for Express Entry under the FSW program. Once you have 67 points there, you stop using the FSW grid and start using the CRS grid to calculate your CRS score for Express Entry.

 

[TDog39]

The 67 points on the FSW selection grid. You need 67 points to qualify for Express Entry under the FSW program. Once you have 67 points there, you stop using the FSW grid and start using the CRS grid to calculate your CRS score for Express Entry.

Oh yea, I already have an Express Entry profile.
Thanks for pointing out the bonus from skill transferability. This makes more sense now.

 

[TDog39]

The 67 points on the FSW selection grid. You need 67 points to qualify for Express Entry under the FSW program. Once you have 67 points there, you stop using the FSW grid and start using the CRS grid to calculate your CRS score for Express Entry.

So basically aiming for B2 in French is worth it even if I turn 32 years old. I have some French background so it'll be some effort before I can get to B2, but I wouldn't be starting from scratch.

 

[primaprime]

So basically aiming for B2 in French is worth it even if I turn 32 years old. I have some French background so it'll be some effort before I can get to B2, but I wouldn't be starting from scratch.

Yes, B2 is where you start earning significant points for French (42 to be specific).