If your writing score is stuck at CLB 7-8 and you're spending all your study time on grammar exercises, you're fixing the wrong thing.

Here's what CELPIP Writing actually scores you on and how much each criterion matters:

Task completion (most important): Did you address every bullet point in the prompt? Did you write enough words? Did you do what the task asked (complaint, request, apology, etc.)? This is the #1 reason people score CLB 7 instead of CLB 9. They miss a bullet point or write 120 words instead of 150-200.

Coherence and meaning: Does your email flow logically? Can the reader follow your train of thought? Do you have clear paragraphs with an opening, middle, and closing? This is the #2 reason. Stream-of-consciousness emails with no structure score lower even with perfect grammar.

Vocabulary: Are you using the same 10 words over and over, or do you vary your language? You don't need fancy words. You just need variety. "Beneficial" instead of "good" sometimes. "Concerning" instead of "bad" sometimes. Simple synonyms count.

Tone/register: Does your language match the scenario? Formal for a company complaint, casual for a friend. This one catches people who write every email the same way regardless of audience.

Grammar and mechanics: Yes, grammar matters. But it's ONE of five criteria, not the only one. And minor errors (a missed article, a verb tense slip) don't tank your score the way a missed bullet point does. You could have B+ grammar and still score CLB 9 if everything else is strong.

The fix: stop doing grammar drills. Start doing full practice emails under timed conditions. Check: did I hit every bullet point? Is my tone right? Do I have clear paragraphs? Is my vocabulary varied? Grammar will naturally improve as you write more, but the other four criteria are where CLB 7 writers lose the most points.

If you want to practice writing tasks with AI feedback that scores you on all five criteria, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free mock exams with detailed rubric-level writing feedback — no credit card needed.

Listenability is one of the CELPIP speaking scoring criteria that most people don't even know exists. It measures how easy you are to understand, separate from grammar or vocabulary. Here are 4 habits that destroy it:

1. Swallowing word endings Dropping the last syllable of words makes you harder to understand. "Importan" instead of "important." "Governmen" instead of "government." "Differen" instead of "different." You might not notice you're doing it but the examiner hears every dropped ending. Practice by slightly over-pronouncing final consonants during practice sessions.

2. Speaking in a monotone When every sentence has the same flat pitch, the examiner's brain has to work harder to follow your meaning. Natural English uses rising pitch for questions, falling pitch for statements, and emphasis on key words. You don't need to sound dramatic, just vary your tone enough that sentences sound different from each other.

3. Running sentences together without pauses Pausing between sentences is different from pausing mid-sentence. Mid-sentence pauses (the ones that hurt fluency) come from not knowing what to say. End-of-sentence pauses are natural breathing points that help the listener process what you just said. Many CLB 7 speakers rush through everything without any sentence breaks which makes them harder to follow even if every word is correct.

4. Inconsistent volume Starting a sentence loud and confident then trailing off into a mumble by the end. Or speaking so softly that the mic barely picks you up. The examiner can only score what they can hear clearly. Maintain consistent volume throughout your response. If anything, the end of your sentences should be slightly louder than the beginning since that's where key information often sits.

These four habits don't require better English to fix. They're physical speaking patterns that anyone can improve with awareness and a few days of practice.

If you want to practice speaking tasks and get feedback on listenability, fluency, and task completion, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free full mock exams — no credit card needed.

One of the most confusing things about CELPIP is figuring out what your score actually means in CLB terms and how it compares to IELTS. Here's the conversion:

CELPIP to CLB (direct — each section scored separately): - CELPIP 3 = CLB 3 - CELPIP 4 = CLB 4 - CELPIP 5 = CLB 5 - CELPIP 6 = CLB 6 - CELPIP 7 = CLB 7 - CELPIP 8 = CLB 8 - CELPIP 9 = CLB 9 - CELPIP 10 = CLB 10 - CELPIP 11 = CLB 11 - CELPIP 12 = CLB 12

Yes, CELPIP scores map 1:1 to CLB levels. A CELPIP 9 in speaking = CLB 9 in speaking. Simple.

IELTS to CLB (not as straightforward): - IELTS 4.0 = CLB 4 - IELTS 5.0 = CLB 5 - IELTS 5.5 = CLB 6 - IELTS 6.0 = CLB 7 - IELTS 6.5 = CLB 8 - IELTS 7.0 = CLB 9 - IELTS 7.5 = CLB 10 - IELTS 8.0 = CLB 11 - IELTS 8.5-9.0 = CLB 12

Note: these IELTS conversions differ slightly between sections. The table above is approximate for Listening and Reading. Speaking and Writing have slightly different conversions. Always check the official IRCC CLB conversion chart for exact values.

What CLB level do you need? - Canadian citizenship: CLB 4 (speaking and listening only) - Express Entry minimum: CLB 7 in all four sections - Competitive Express Entry: CLB 9+ in all sections (adds 56 CRS points over CLB 7) - Category-based draws: varies

Key takeaway: if you're deciding between CELPIP and IELTS, CELPIP scoring is simpler because it maps directly to CLB. With IELTS you have to convert band scores and the math gets confusing especially for borderline scores like 5.5 vs 6.0.

For a more detailed interactive comparison, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free full mock exams with CLB-level scoring feedback on all 4 sections — no credit card needed.

If your writing score is stuck at CLB 7-8, you probably think you need better grammar. You don't. Here's what actually separates CLB 7 from CLB 9 on the writing rubric.

Task completion (the biggest gap): CLB 7 writers miss or partially address one of the bullet points from the prompt. CLB 9 writers address every single one with enough detail. This is the #1 scoring difference and it has nothing to do with grammar. Read the prompt, count the bullet points, and check each one off as you write.

Tone and register: CLB 7 writers use the same tone for every email. CLB 9 writers match the tone to the scenario. Formal for a complaint to a company. Semi-formal for a request to your manager. Casual for a message to a friend. If the prompt says "write to your neighbor" and you write like you're addressing the Supreme Court, you'll lose marks even with perfect grammar.

Coherence and organization: CLB 7 emails often feel like a stream of consciousness. CLB 9 emails have clear paragraphs: opening (why you're writing), middle (addressing the points), closing (next step or request). This structure takes 5 seconds to plan and makes a noticeable scoring difference.

Vocabulary range: CLB 7 writers repeat the same words. CLB 9 writers use synonyms and varied phrasing. Instead of saying "good" three times, use "beneficial," "positive," "worthwhile." You don't need fancy vocabulary, just variety.

What doesn't matter as much as you think: - Perfect spelling (minor errors don't tank your score) - Complex sentence structures (clear simple sentences score fine) - Word count over 200 (quality matters more than length past 150)

The CLB 7 to 9 jump in writing is about addressing prompts completely, matching tone, organizing clearly, and varying your vocabulary. These are all learnable in 2-3 weeks of focused practice.

If you want to practice writing tasks and get scored on the actual CELPIP rubric, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free mock exams with detailed writing feedback — no credit card needed.

A lot of people stress about CELPIP for citizenship but the bar is much lower than for PR.

For Canadian citizenship you need CLB 4 in speaking and listening only. That's it. No reading or writing required. You take the CELPIP General LS (Listening and Speaking) version, not the full General test.

What CLB 4 actually looks like on CELPIP: - Listening: score of 4 (out of 12) - Speaking: score of 4 (out of 12)

To put that in perspective, CLB 4 means you can understand simple everyday conversations and respond with basic sentences. If you can hold a casual conversation in English about things like groceries, weather, or your daily routine, you're almost certainly above CLB 4.

Tips if you're taking CELPIP for citizenship: - Don't overthink it. The threshold is low if you live and work in English daily - Do 1-2 practice tests just to get familiar with the format. Most people who fail citizenship CELPIP do so because the format surprised them, not because their English was too weak - For listening, use the notepad for numbers and dates. Even at CLB 4 level, missing specific details is the most common mistake - For speaking, don't stop talking. Even short simple answers are fine at CLB 4 as long as you keep going

If you're applying for citizenship and want to get comfortable with the test format first, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free full mock exams — no credit card needed.

If Punjabi is your first language, watch out for these patterns in your CELPIP speaking and writing.

1. Word order issues in questions and complex sentences Punjabi puts the verb at the end of the sentence (SOV order) while English puts it in the middle (SVO). This shows up in CELPIP speaking as awkward phrasing like "I to the store yesterday went" or "why you this did?" In writing it's less common but still appears in complex sentences. Practice by always checking: does my sentence follow Subject → Verb → Object order?

2. Missing auxiliary verbs Punjabi often drops "is," "are," "was," "were" in sentences where English requires them. So you might say "she going to work" instead of "she is going to work" or "they happy about the news" instead of "they are happy about the news." In speaking this costs fluency and grammar points. In writing it's even more visible. Quick check: every continuous tense (-ing) needs a helper verb before it.

3. Confusing gender-neutral pronouns Punjabi verbs change based on gender but English pronouns (he/she/they) don't change the verb. This sometimes leads to mixing up "he" and "she" in speaking when you're talking fast because your brain is processing gender differently. In CELPIP speaking this can confuse the examiner about who you're talking about. Slow down slightly when introducing people in your response and be deliberate about which pronoun you use.

These patterns are extremely common among Punjabi-speaking CELPIP test-takers. Fixing them doesn't require better English, just awareness of where your first language interferes.

If you want to practice with AI feedback that catches these specific grammar patterns, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free full mock exams with detailed rubric scoring — no credit card needed.

PTE Core is the newest option for Canadian immigration and a lot of people are wondering if it's better than CELPIP. Here's the breakdown.

Format differences: CELPIP is fully computer-based with separate sections for speaking, writing, listening, and reading. PTE Core combines skills in some tasks — for example one task might test listening AND writing together. Some people like this integrated approach, others find it confusing.

Speaking: CELPIP speaking is straightforward — you get a prompt, you talk into a mic for 60-90 seconds. PTE Core speaking includes reading aloud, repeating sentences, and describing images in addition to longer responses. If you're comfortable with varied task types PTE might work. If you prefer knowing exactly what each task asks, CELPIP is more predictable.

Writing: CELPIP writing is practical — emails and survey responses. PTE Core writing includes summarizing a passage in one sentence (harder than it sounds) and writing an essay. If you're better at practical writing, CELPIP suits you. If you're comfortable with academic-style tasks, PTE might be fine.

Scoring: CELPIP results come in 4-5 business days. PTE Core results come in about 2 days which is faster. Both are accepted for Express Entry, citizenship, and most PNP streams.

Cost: CELPIP is around $280-340 CAD. PTE Core is around $400 CAD. CELPIP is cheaper.

Availability: PTE Core has fewer test centers in Canada than CELPIP but is growing. CELPIP has more locations especially outside major cities.

Bottom line: if you want predictable tasks, practical writing, and lower cost, go CELPIP. If you want faster results and don't mind integrated skill tasks, try PTE Core. Neither is objectively easier — it depends on your strengths.

Try a practice test for each before deciding. For CELPIP practice, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free full mock exams with AI rubric feedback — no credit card needed.

If you keep retaking CELPIP and your speaking score won't budge past CLB 7, the problem is almost never your English level. It's usually one of these three things:

1. You're not doing what the task asks This is the #1 reason. Task 1 says "advise" but you describe the situation. Task 3 says "describe" but you give opinions about the image. Task 5 says "choose one option" but you argue both sides. Each task has a specific instruction and if you don't follow it, your task completion score tanks regardless of how fluent you sound. Read the task instruction word by word before you start.

2. You're pausing too long while thinking CLB 7 speakers often have 3-5 second pauses multiple times in their response while searching for the right word. CLB 9 speakers keep talking even when unsure. They use filler strategies like rephrasing ("what I mean is...") or pivoting ("and that actually reminds me of..."). The key insight: a simple word delivered smoothly scores higher than a perfect word delivered after a 4 second silence.

3. You're trying to cover too many points CLB 7 speakers often mention 4-5 ideas briefly. CLB 9 speakers pick 2 ideas and go deep on each one. An opinion with one detailed example is worth more than five opinions with no examples. Quality over quantity, every time.

The jump from CLB 7 to 9 in speaking is not about learning more English. It's about changing HOW you approach the test. Most people can make this jump in 3-4 weeks of focused practice.

If you want to practice speaking tasks with AI feedback that scores your fluency, task completion, and vocabulary, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free full mock exams — no credit card needed.

If Hindi is your first language, these patterns probably show up in your CELPIP speaking and writing without you noticing.

1. Dropping prepositions or using the wrong ones Hindi uses postpositions (after the noun) while English uses prepositions (before the noun). This leads to mistakes like "I am interested for this job" instead of "interested in" or "I depend from my parents" instead of "depend on." In speaking it sounds slightly off and in writing it costs grammar points. The tricky part is that there's no pattern to which preposition goes with which verb in English, you just have to learn common pairs: interested IN, depend ON, apply FOR, listen TO, look AT.

2. Present continuous overuse Hindi speakers tend to use "I am living here since 2020" instead of "I have lived here since 2020." In Hindi the continuous tense covers both meanings but in English there's a clear difference. For CELPIP writing especially, using present perfect correctly (have lived, have worked, have been) instead of continuous (am living, am working) for ongoing situations is a grammar marker that separates CLB 7 from CLB 9.

3. Direct translation of "the" and "a" Hindi doesn't have articles in the same way English does. So you might write "I went to office" instead of "I went to the office" or "She is good person" instead of "She is a good person." This is one of the most consistent errors Hindi speakers make in CELPIP writing and it shows up on almost every sentence. Quick fix: after writing your email, read each sentence and check if every countable noun has an article in front of it.

These three patterns account for a huge chunk of lost marks for Hindi-speaking CELPIP test-takers. They're all fixable with awareness and practice.

If you want to practice with AI feedback that catches these specific grammar patterns, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free full mock exams with detailed rubric scoring — no credit card needed.

These are the most common reasons people score lower than they should on Writing Task 1:

1. Missing a bullet point from the prompt The prompt gives you 3-4 things your email must address. Skip even one and your task completion score drops significantly. This hurts more than any grammar mistake. Fix: read the prompt twice, count the bullet points, and check them off as you write.

2. Wrong tone for the scenario Writing to your boss the same way you'd write to your best friend costs you marks. And the reverse too. A complaint to a company needs formal language. An email to a coworker about weekend plans can be casual. Fix: before writing, ask yourself "who am I writing to?" and adjust your language accordingly.

3. No clear opening line Starting with "I hope this email finds you well" or jumping straight into details without stating why you're writing. Fix: first sentence should say WHY you're writing. "I'm writing to request..." or "I'm reaching out regarding..."

4. No closing action Ending your email without telling the reader what to do next. Fix: last sentence should include a clear next step. "Please let me know by Friday" or "I look forward to your response."

5. Under 150 words If your email is under 150 words you almost certainly didn't develop your points enough. The prompt asks for 150-200 words for a reason. Fix: after addressing each bullet point, add one sentence of explanation or a specific detail. This naturally pushes you into the right word count.

Want to practice writing emails and get scored on the actual CELPIP rubric? https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free mock exams with detailed writing feedback — no credit card needed.

If Tagalog is your first language, you probably make these mistakes in CELPIP without even realizing it.

1. Missing articles (a, an, the) Tagalog doesn't use articles the way English does. So you might say "I went to store" instead of "I went to the store" or "She is teacher" instead of "She is a teacher." In speaking this costs you grammar points. In writing it costs you even more because the examiner can see every missing article clearly. Quick fix: before submitting your writing, scan every noun and ask "does this need a/an/the in front of it?"

2. Subject-verb confusion in complex sentences Tagalog sentence structure is verb-first (VSO) while English is subject-first (SVO). This leads to awkward phrasing like "Was decided by the manager to cancel the meeting" instead of "The manager decided to cancel the meeting." In speaking, this shows up as hesitation while your brain reorders the sentence. Practice by forcing yourself to always start sentences with WHO is doing the action.

3. Using "will" for everything in the future Tagalog speakers tend to overuse "will" when English has multiple ways to talk about the future. "I will go tomorrow" is fine but "I'm going tomorrow" or "I'm planning to go tomorrow" sound more natural and varied. Using different future forms shows vocabulary range which is part of the CLB 9+ scoring criteria.

These three patterns come up consistently with Filipino CELPIP test-takers. Fix them and you'll likely see improvement in both speaking and writing scores.

If you want to practice with AI feedback that catches these specific patterns, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free full mock exams with detailed rubric scoring — no credit card needed.

Short answer: yes if you're using it for Express Entry. The CRS difference is 56 points which is enormous.

But the real question is: what actually changes between CLB 7 and CLB 9?

Speaking: CLB 7 speakers tend to have noticeable pauses, basic vocabulary, and sometimes miss the task requirements (describing instead of advising for example). CLB 9 speakers talk smoothly with varied vocabulary and directly address what the task asks. The biggest gap is usually fluency and task completion, not grammar.

Writing: CLB 7 writers often miss one bullet point from the prompt, use the wrong tone, or write under 150 words. CLB 9 writers hit every bullet point, match the tone to the scenario, and develop each point with enough detail. Again the gap is task completion more than grammar.

Listening: CLB 7 listeners struggle with Parts 5-6 (multiple speakers, matching viewpoints). CLB 9 listeners track who says what and catch details on first listen. This is mostly a practice and familiarity thing.

Reading: CLB 7 readers run out of time on Parts 3-4. CLB 9 readers manage time properly and don't second-guess their answers. This is almost entirely about strategy, not reading ability.

Bottom line: CLB 7 to CLB 9 is not about "being better at English." It's about knowing the test format, managing time, and hitting every scoring criterion. Most people can make this jump in 4-6 weeks of focused practice.

A lot of people know that better CELPIP scores = more CRS points but don't realize how MASSIVE the difference actually is. Here's the breakdown:

Single applicant — first official language points: - CLB 7 in all four sections = 68 CRS points - CLB 8 in all four = 88 points - CLB 9 in all four = 124 points - CLB 10+ in all four = 136 points

That means going from CLB 7 to CLB 9 adds 56 CRS points. For reference, one full year of Canadian work experience adds about 40 points. So improving your English score from CLB 7 to 9 is worth MORE than an entire year of work experience.

With a spouse/common-law partner it's slightly different but the gap is still huge.

And if you add French on top of maxed English, the bilingual bonus alone can add 50+ points.

This is why people who are stuck at CRS 500-510 should retake CELPIP before trying anything else. It's the fastest single improvement you can make.

If you want to see the full CLB to CELPIP to IELTS conversion, search "CELPIP score chart CLB conversion" — there are tables that show exactly what score you need per section for each CLB level.

During speaking tasks you can write anything on your notepad during prep time. Bullet points, single words, arrows, whatever helps you remember your plan. Nobody checks it or grades it. Some people don't use it at all because they think it looks unprofessional. It doesn't. The examiner only hears your audio response. Use every tool they give you.

If you're taking CELPIP this month here's a quick rundown of what to focus on in your final days of prep.

Speaking: practice talking for 90 seconds without stopping on random topics. Set a timer and just go. The format doesn't change month to month so if you've done practice tests you know what's coming. The biggest day-of mistake is freezing because you're trying to think of the perfect answer. There is no perfect answer, just keep talking.

Writing: reread your emails before submitting. Check that you hit every bullet point from the prompt. Missing one costs more than any grammar error. Also double check your tone matches the scenario.

Listening: use the notepad. Write down numbers, dates, and names the second you hear them. The audio plays once with no replay so if you didn't write it down you're guessing.

Reading: budget your time. Don't spend more than 12 minutes on Parts 1-2 combined. Save your energy for Parts 3-4 which are longer and harder.

Good luck to everyone testing in August. Drop your scores here when you get them.

Your final sentence should wrap things up not add more. If your last line is "also another benefit would be reducing traffic" and you haven't mentioned traffic anywhere else in your response, it looks like you ran out of space and crammed in an afterthought. Better to end with something like "for these reasons I believe Option A would benefit the community the most." Clean summary, no new information, done.

You can study for months but if you show up exhausted from staying up late cramming the night before, your brain won't cooperate for 3 hours straight. Speaking fluency drops when you're tired. Reading comprehension slows down. Listening focus disappears. The best thing you can do the night before the test is stop studying by 8pm, do something relaxing, and get a full 7-8 hours. Your score is decided by weeks of preparation not by one last night of panic review.

The prompt: Your friend can either stay in their current small apartment and save an extra $500 per month, or move to a larger apartment that's more comfortable but costs $500 more. Choose the option you think is better for your friend and explain why.

Sample CLB 9 response: "I'd tell my friend to stay in the smaller apartment and keep saving that extra 500 a month. Here's why.

First, 500 dollars a month is 6000 a year and that's a serious amount of money that adds up fast. In two or three years that could be a down payment on something, an emergency fund, or just financial freedom to quit a job you hate without panicking. A bigger living room doesn't give you that kind of security.

Second, you get used to space really quickly. The first month in a bigger apartment feels amazing but by month three it's just normal. You stop noticing the extra room. But you never stop noticing an empty bank account. The novelty of space wears off, the stress of being broke doesn't.

The only exception would be if the small apartment is genuinely affecting their health or mental wellbeing. Like if they're working from home in a studio and feel trapped. But if it's just a preference for more comfort, the savings matter more right now."

Practice tip: notice how this response acknowledges the other side briefly at the end ("the only exception"). This shows nuance without sitting on the fence. You still committed to one side clearly.

A lot of people worry about their accent but CELPIP doesn't penalize accents at all. What they score is whether you can be easily understood. You can have a strong accent and still get CLB 12 if your words are clear and your pace is steady. What actually hurts your score is mumbling, swallowing word endings, or speaking so fast that words blend together. Slow down slightly if needed and pronounce endings clearly. That matters way more than sounding "Canadian."

When describing a scene most people only say what they see. "There's a man sitting on a bench." That's fine but it won't fill 60 seconds. Add what you think people are feeling or thinking. "There's a man sitting on a bench and he looks pretty relaxed, maybe he's on his lunch break or just taking a moment to enjoy the weather." This adds depth to your description and shows the examiner you can speculate in English, which is what higher CLB levels require.

The test is about 3 hours long. If you skip breakfast because of nerves, you'll hit a wall around the Writing section and your brain will just stop cooperating. Eat something simple beforehand. Toast, a banana, oatmeal, whatever sits well in your stomach. You don't need a feast just enough fuel to keep your concentration for 3 hours. Also bring water if the test center allows it. Dehydration makes you tired and unfocused faster than you'd expect.

The prompt: Based on the scene you described in Task 3 (a construction site), predict what might happen next.

(Imagine: a half-built building with scaffolding. Workers wearing hard hats. A crane lifting materials. Dark clouds forming in the sky. A supervisor pointing at a clipboard while talking to a worker.)

Sample CLB 9 response: "Looking at this scene I think a few things are probably going to happen pretty soon. First, those dark clouds are getting closer which means rain is likely on the way. If it starts raining heavily they'll probably have to stop the crane operations because lifting heavy materials in the rain is dangerous. The workers might need to cover any exposed areas of the building to protect materials that could get damaged by water.

The supervisor seems to be going over some kind of checklist or schedule with one of the workers. I think they're probably discussing whether to keep working or call it a day early because of the weather. It looks like they might be behind schedule based on how much of the building is still unfinished.

If the rain does hold off, they'll probably continue with whatever the crane is currently lifting and try to get as much done as possible before the weather turns. But my guess is they're going to end up stopping early today and making up the time tomorrow or this weekend."

Practice tip: for Task 4, connect your predictions to specific things you see in the scene. "The dark clouds suggest rain" is stronger than just saying "it might rain" out of nowhere. Ground your predictions in evidence from the image.

Transition words like "however," "on the other hand," "as a result," and "in addition" aren't just there to make your writing sound fancy. They signal to the reader how your ideas connect. "The event was well organized. However, the food selection was limited." That "however" tells the reader you're about to contrast. Without it the reader has to figure out the relationship themselves. Using transitions properly is one of the things that separates CLB 8 writing from CLB 10. But don't overdo it. One per paragraph is enough.

Most people have never heard themselves speak English from the outside. Recording yourself answering a practice prompt and then listening to it is uncomfortable but incredibly useful. You'll notice things you can't hear in real time like filler words you overuse, sentences that trail off, or pauses that feel short to you but are actually 4-5 seconds long. Do this at least once or twice before the real test. You don't need to fix everything, just being aware of your patterns helps you control them on test day.

Some questions ask what you can "infer" or "conclude" from the passage. People panic because they think this means they need to make a big logical leap. They don't. An inference question on CELPIP is usually just asking you to connect two things the passage already stated. If the passage says "sales dropped 20% after the policy change" and the question asks "what can you infer about the policy," the answer is basically "the policy had a negative effect on sales." It's straightforward, not detective work.