The CELPIP-General is a computer-based English test used mainly for Canadian immigration. It tests Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking in one sitting of just under three hours, and gives you a level, up to 12, for each skill. This guide explains who takes it, what each part looks like, how it’s scored and how to prepare.

This site is an independent practice site. Everything on it is original practice written in the official CELPIP format; none of it is official CELPIP test material.

Who takes it

• Permanent residence through Express Entry. IRCC accepts the CELPIP-General as proof of English for the Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades programs. The shorter CELPIP-General LS is not accepted for permanent residence.
• Canadian citizenship. Applicants aged 18 to 54 must show CLB 4 or higher in speaking and listening. IRCC accepts the CELPIP-General or the CELPIP-General LS, which tests Listening and Speaking only.
• Other uses. Some professional bodies and other programs also accept it. Check with the organization asking for your results.

The four components

You take all four on a computer at a test centre, in this order. You type your Writing answers, and your Speaking answers are recorded through a headset microphone.

Component	What you do	Questions or tasks	Time
Listening	6 parts of recorded audio, one of them a video	38 scored questions	46 to 55 minutes
Reading	4 parts: emails, a diagram, an information text and opinions	38 scored questions	43 to 56 minutes
Writing	An email and a survey response	2 tasks	53 minutes
Speaking	Short spoken answers to on-screen prompts	8 tasks	About 15 minutes

These figures come from the CELPIP-General Overview Study Pack 2026. Listening and Reading may also include unscored items used for test development. They look like any other part, and you won’t know which part they are in, so treat every part as if it counts.

Listening: 6 parts

Part	Questions	About
1. Listening to Problem Solving	8	8 minutes
2. Listening to a Daily Life Conversation	5	5 minutes
3. Listening for Information	6	6 minutes
4. Listening to a News Item	5	5 minutes
5. Listening to a Discussion (video)	8	9 minutes
6. Listening for Viewpoints	6	8 minutes

Each recording plays once, and the questions come after it, so take notes on the paper you’re given. Every question has four options, and the parts get harder as you go. See the Listening practice test.

Reading: 4 parts

Part	Questions	About
1. Reading Correspondence	11	11 minutes
2. Reading to Apply a Diagram	8	9 minutes
3. Reading for Information	9	10 minutes
4. Reading for Viewpoints	10	13 minutes

The passage and its questions share one screen, and you pick answers from drop-down lists. You can change answers until a part’s time runs out, but you can’t go back to an earlier part. Part 3 is the one that surprises people: you match statements to paragraphs A to D, or choose E when the information isn’t given. See the Reading practice test.

Writing: 2 tasks

Task	What you write	Time	Length
1. Writing an Email	An email about an everyday situation, usually covering about three points	27 minutes	150 to 200 words
2. Responding to Survey Questions	Choose one of two options and explain why it’s better	26 minutes	150 to 200 words

The writing screen has basic editing tools, an automatic word count and spell-check. Guides for each task: Task 1 email and Task 2 survey response, or try the Writing practice test.

Speaking: 8 tasks

Task	Preparation	Speaking
1. Giving Advice	30 seconds	90 seconds
2. Talking about a Personal Experience	30 seconds	60 seconds
3. Describing a Scene	30 seconds	60 seconds
4. Making Predictions	30 seconds	60 seconds
5. Comparing and Persuading	60 seconds to choose, then 60 seconds	60 seconds
6. Dealing with a Difficult Situation	60 seconds	60 seconds
7. Expressing Opinions	30 seconds	90 seconds
8. Describing an Unusual Situation	30 seconds	60 seconds

Timings are from the CELPIP Speaking Pro Study Pack 2026. Tasks 3, 4 and 8 include a picture. In Task 5 you first pick one of two options without speaking, then get a second preparation time before you persuade someone. Your answers are recorded and rated later. See the Speaking practice test.

How scoring works

There is no pass or fail. Each component gets its own CELPIP level, and the level you need depends on who is asking.

• Listening and Reading are scored by computer. Each correct answer is worth one point, wrong answers cost nothing, and your level is worked out from your points and the difficulty of the questions you answered.
• Writing and Speaking are rated against four performance standards. For Writing they are Content/Coherence, Vocabulary, Readability and Task Fulfillment. Speaking uses the same set with Listenability in place of Readability.
• Levels and CLB. From level 3 up, a CELPIP level matches the same Canadian Language Benchmark: CELPIP 7 in Reading is CLB 7 in Reading. IRCC looks at each skill separately, not at an average.

The CELPIP score chart shows the approximate number of correct answers for each Listening and Reading level.

What IRCC asks for

Purpose	Minimum level
Federal Skilled Worker	CLB 7 in all four skills
Canadian Experience Class, TEER 0 or 1 job	CLB 7 in all four skills
Canadian Experience Class, TEER 2 or 3 job	CLB 5 in all four skills
Federal Skilled Trades	CLB 5 in speaking and listening, CLB 4 in reading and writing
Citizenship, ages 18 to 54	CLB 4 in speaking and listening

For Express Entry, your results must be less than two years old both when you create your profile and when you submit your permanent residence application. Higher levels also earn more points in the Express Entry ranking system, so many people aim above the minimum. Requirements can change, so confirm them on canada.ca before you book.

Fees, results and retakes

• Fee. About CAD 299 plus tax for the CELPIP-General in Canada in 2026, less for the LS test. Prices vary by location and date, so check celpip.ca when you book.
• Results. You get an email when your scores are ready in your online CELPIP account, usually within a few business days. The official score report is the PDF you download there.
• Retakes. You can take the test again, but each sitting is the whole test. You can’t resit a single skill.

How to prepare

1. Learn the format first. Know how many questions each part has and how long you get, so nothing on test day is new.
2. Find your weakest skill. Take a timed practice test in each component. IRCC applies its minimum to every skill, so your lowest level is the one that decides whether you qualify.
3. Practise each part on its own timer. Listening clips play once, Reading parts lock when time runs out, and Speaking gives you 30 to 60 seconds to prepare. Practise under the same pressure.
4. Compare your Writing and Speaking with model answers. Look at how they cover every point, organize ideas and vary their vocabulary.
5. Finish with full timed tests, and aim above your target in practice, so a hard question or two on test day doesn’t cost you your level.

Start with the free sample questions for every Listening and Reading part on the home page, then work through the guides:

• CELPIP Listening practice test
• CELPIP Reading practice test
• CELPIP Writing practice test
• CELPIP Speaking practice test
• CELPIP Writing Task 1: the email
• CELPIP Writing Task 2: the survey response
• CELPIP score chart: Listening and Reading scores to CLB