CELPIP General Test Format
The CELPIP General Test is officially pronounced for permanent Canadian residence applications and professional designations by the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The CELPIP General test evaluates a candidate’s English language skills in listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
It is an IRCC approved exam which takes 3 hours to complete.
CELPIP General test can be completed in one sitting with no separate speaking session.
The CELPIP-General test comprises of four sections:
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
Listening
In CELPIP General Listening test, you will be required to listen to the given passages and answer the questions accordingly
You will be needed to read answer choices in the Listening Test and give answer
Allotted time: 47–55 minutes Total no. of Questions: 38 |
| Section components | Skill tasks | Number of questions |
| Practice Task | All listening skills | 1 |
Part 1 Listening to problem solving | Question types Introduction to test-taking strategies Introduction to vocabulary-building | 8 |
Part 2 Listening to a daily life conversation | Establishing context | 5 |
Part 3 Listening for information | Note-taking strategies of Location and time, main ideas and supporting details | 6 |
Part 4 Listening to a News item | Using abbreviations for note-taking Synonyms Note-taking to record facts | 5 |
Part 5 Listening to a discussion | Visual clues Relevant vs. irrelevant information | 8 |
Part 6 Listening to viewpoints | Recognizing facts and opinions Differentiating between summaries and paraphrases Identifying pros and cons | 6 |
Reading
In the CELPIP General Reading test, you will be asked to read passages and answer questions accordingly
Allotted time: 55–60 minutes Total Questions: 38 |
| Section components | Skill tasks | No. of questions |
| Practice Task |
| 1 |
Part 1 Reading Correspondence |
| 11 |
Part 2 Reading to apply a diagram |
| 8 |
Part 3 Reading for Information |
| 9 |
Part 4 Reading for Viewpoints |
| 10 |
Writing
In CELPIP General Writing test, you will be required to respond to questions with written answers
Allotted time: 53–60 minutes Total questions: 2 |
Section components | Skill tasks | No. of questions |
Task 1 Writing an Email |
| 1 |
Task 2 Responding to Survey Questions |
| 1 |
Speaking
In the speaking section, you will be required to read questions and reply to on-screen prompts verbally.
Allotted time: 15–20 minutes Total questions: 8 |
Section components | Skill tasks | No. of questions |
Practice Task |
| 1 |
Task 1 Giving advice |
| 1 |
Task 2 Talking about a personal experience |
| 1 |
Task 3 Describing a scene |
| 1 |
Task 4 Making predictions |
| 1 |
Task 5 Comparing and persuading |
| 1 |
Task 6 Dealing with a difficult situation | Giving effective reasons | 1 |
Task 7 Expressing Opinions | Stating an opinion | 1 |
Task 8 Describing an unusual situation | Weak vs. convincing reasons | 1 |
According to the 2019 test pattern, the Listening, Reading and Writing tests are conducted on the same day while students might have to take the speaking module on the same day itself or within seven days prior to the Listening, Reading and Writing test. Tests need to be taken on the given days failing to do so have undesired consequences
