CELPIP test format and how long it takes

Each section, part by part

Pick a section to see its parts, how many questions each one has and the rules that matter on test day.

How long is the CELPIP test?

Plan for about 2 h 40 min to 3 h of test time across the four sections. Writing and speaking always take the same time. Listening and reading are given as ranges, because some versions of the test include extra questions that are not scored. Answer every question as if it counts.

Listening: 6 parts, one chance to hear each recording

The listening section has 6 parts and 38 scored questions. Each recording plays only once, and every question is multiple choice with 4 options. Once you move on, you cannot go back to an earlier question.

• Part 1, Listening to Problem Solving (8 questions): people work through a problem together. Listen for what the problem is and what they decide.
• Part 2, Listening to a Daily Life Conversation (5 questions): an everyday conversation. Listen for what each speaker wants and how they feel about it.
• Part 3, Listening for Information (6 questions): one speaker gives information. Listen for details such as times, places, steps and reasons.
• Part 4, Listening to a News Item (5 questions): a short news report. Listen for what happened, who it affects and what happens next.
• Part 5, Listening to a Discussion (8 questions): several people discuss a plan or a problem. Keep track of what each person thinks.
• Part 6, Listening to Viewpoints (6 questions): people give different opinions on one issue. Listen for who holds which view, and why.

Because you hear everything once, the skill being tested is holding on to the main point while details go past. Practise the later parts free: Part 4, news item, Part 5, discussion and Part 6, viewpoints. Then turn your count of correct answers into a level on the listening score chart.

Reading: 4 parts, each on its own timer

The reading section has 4 parts and 38 scored questions. Each part has its own timer, so time left over on one part does not carry over to the next. You answer by choosing words or phrases from drop-down menus.

• Part 1, Reading Correspondence (11 questions, 11 min): a message such as an email or a letter, and questions about it.
• Part 2, Reading to Apply a Diagram (8 questions, 9 min): a diagram, such as a schedule or a table, that you use to answer questions about a situation.
• Part 3, Reading for Information (9 questions, 10 min): a longer text that gives information, with questions about its details.
• Part 4, Reading for Viewpoints (10 questions, 13 min): an article with different opinions, with questions about who thinks what.

Since the clock keeps running while you read, read each text for its main idea first, then look for the detail each question needs. Try Reading Part 4 free with its timer, or print a full reading set from the free practice test PDF.

Writing: 2 tasks of 150–200 words

You type both answers. Each task has its own timer: 27 minutes for Task 1 and 26 minutes for Task 2.

• 27 min · 150–200 words

  Task 1: Writing an Email

  The prompt describes a situation and usually lists three things your email must do. Match your tone to the person you are writing to.

• 26 min · 150–200 words

  Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions

  You read a survey question with 2 options, choose one and explain why. You do not need an email format.

Raters score each answer on four things: Content/Coherence (developed, well-organized ideas), Vocabulary (words that fit the reader and the situation), Readability (paragraphs, linking words, grammar and punctuation) and Task Fulfillment (doing everything the prompt asks, in the right tone and length). The Task 1 guide shows a full email at three levels, and the writing templates give a plan for each task.

Speaking: 8 tasks in about 15 minutes

Each task shows a prompt, gives you a short time to prepare, then records your answer. Recording starts by itself when the preparation time ends, so be ready to speak the moment it does. Preparation is 30 or 60 seconds and speaking time is 60 or 90 seconds, depending on the task.

• Tasks 3 and 4 use the same picture: first you describe the scene, then you say what will probably happen next.
• In Task 5 you get 60 seconds to pick one of two options, then prepare and speak to persuade someone that your choice is better.
• In Task 6 the prompt gives you two ways to handle a difficult situation. You choose one while you prepare.
• In Task 8 you describe an unusual picture to someone who cannot see it.

Raters score speaking on four things, like writing, with Listenability (how easy you are to follow) in place of Readability. See how answers sound at levels 7, 9 and 11 in the speaking sample answers, and practise with a timer on the speaking templates page.

How CELPIP is scored

Each skill gets its own CELPIP level, up to 12. Listening and reading levels come from how many of the 38 scored questions you answer correctly. Writing and speaking levels come from raters scoring your answers on the four things above.

For immigration, IRCC treats CELPIP levels 4 to 10 as the same Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels: CELPIP 7 is CLB 7. Levels 10 and above count as CLB 10+ for Express Entry. The CELPIP score chart shows the points each level is worth.

• Score chart

  Listening: correct answers to level

  Enter your count out of 38 on the listening score chart.

• Score chart

  Reading: correct answers to level

  The same converter for reading, on the reading score chart.

• Levels

  What CLB 7, 8 and 9 need

  See CLB 7, CLB 8 and CLB 9 skill by skill.

How to get used to the format before test day

1. 1

   Sit one full test under time

   Going through all four sections in one go shows you how long 3 h of English feels. Our free mock test runs the sections in the same order, each with its timer.

2. 2

   Practise reading against each part’s timer

   Each reading part closes when its time is up. Practise moving on when the clock says so, rather than finishing one text perfectly.

3. 3

   Rehearse speaking with a countdown

   Practise starting to speak the moment the preparation time ends, and keep talking until the time is nearly gone. A short plan helps more than a memorized script.

4. 4

   Write full answers inside the word range

   Aim for 150 to 200 words, and keep a few minutes at the end to check verb tenses, plurals and articles.