Before you start practising, it really helps to know exactly what the CELPIP test looks like: how many parts each section has, how long you have, and in what order everything comes. When nothing on the screen surprises you, you can spend your energy on the answers instead of on the instructions.
This page describes the CELPIP-General test, the version for permanent residence and most work and study purposes. At the end I also explain the shorter CELPIP-General LS test for citizenship. I checked the format and timings on the official celpip.ca test format page in October 2026; the official site always has the final word.
The CELPIP Test at a Glance
| Section | Parts | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 6 parts | 46–55 minutes |
| Reading | 4 parts | 43–56 minutes |
| Writing | 2 tasks | 53 minutes |
| Speaking | 8 tasks | 15 minutes |
| Total | just under 3 hours, one sitting |
Everything happens on a computer at a test centre, in this order, with no scheduled break and no separate speaking appointment. You type your Writing and speak your answers into a headset microphone.
Listening: 6 Parts
- Listening to Problem Solving: a conversation where people deal with a problem (8 questions)
- Listening to a Daily Life Conversation (5 questions)
- Listening for Information (6 questions)
- Listening to a News Item (5 questions)
- Listening to a Discussion: a short video with several speakers (8 questions)
- Listening to Viewpoints (6 questions)
You hear each recording only once, and you see the questions only after the recording, so short notes matter. Some Listening and Reading items are unscored test items that look exactly like the others, so give every question your best effort. For what you hear in each part and how to take notes, see CELPIP Listening: all 6 parts explained.
Reading: 4 Parts
- Reading Correspondence: an email or letter, then questions and a reply to complete
- Reading to Apply a Diagram: a diagram or schedule plus an email about it
- Reading for Information: a longer text with paragraphs A–D; you match statements to a paragraph, or choose E if the information is not given
- Reading for Viewpoints: an article with opinions, then a reader's comment to complete
The total time includes all four parts, so you choose how long to spend on each. Part 3 is where many people lose time. I explain the traps and timing in CELPIP Reading: all 4 parts explained.
Writing: 2 Tasks
| Task | What you write | Time | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Writing an Email | an email that covers three points (formal, semi-formal or friendly) | 27 minutes | 150–200 words |
| 2. Responding to Survey Questions | choose one of two options and explain why | 26 minutes | 150–200 words |
There is a word counter on the screen, and the time for one task can't be moved to the other. For full model answers, see three sample emails for Task 1 and three sample survey responses for Task 2.
Speaking: 8 Tasks
| Task | What you do | Prepare | Speak |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giving Advice | 30 s | 90 s |
| 2 | Talking about a Personal Experience | 30 s | 60 s |
| 3 | Describing a Scene | 30 s | 60 s |
| 4 | Making Predictions | 30 s | 60 s |
| 5 | Comparing and Persuading | 60 s to choose, then 60 s | 60 s |
| 6 | Dealing with a Difficult Situation | 60 s | 60 s |
| 7 | Expressing Opinions | 30 s | 90 s |
| 8 | Describing an Unusual Situation | 30 s | 60 s |
You read each task on the screen and speak to the computer; the recording stops when the time is up. The whole section takes about 15 minutes. My CELPIP Speaking templates show how to start, continue and finish each task, and the task-by-task guide explains what raters listen for.
How the CELPIP Test Is Scored
You get a separate CELPIP level for each skill, from 1 to 12 (M means there was not enough information to assess). There is no single overall score for immigration: each skill counts on its own.
- Listening and Reading are scored by computer from your correct answers.
- Writing and Speaking are scored by trained raters on content and coherence, vocabulary, readability or listenability, and task fulfillment.
CELPIP levels match the Canadian Language Benchmarks directly: CELPIP 7 = CLB 7. For the full chart, what each level means and how many correct answers you need, see the CELPIP score chart. Results usually arrive online in 2–4 business days; I explain the details in CELPIP results: how long they take and how long they're valid.
CELPIP-General vs CELPIP-General LS
The CELPIP-General LS test has only the Listening and Speaking sections, in the same format as above, and takes about 1 hour 10 minutes. It is the version made for Canadian citizenship applications, where you need CLB 4 in Listening and Speaking. For permanent residence (Express Entry and most other programs) you need the full CELPIP-General test. More in the CELPIP LS test for citizenship.
How to Use the Format in Your Preparation
Knowing the format is the first step; the next is practising under the same conditions. Do at least one full practice test in one sitting, with the real timings, so that three hours without a break doesn't feel new on test day. Type your Writing answers on a computer rather than by hand, and record your Speaking answers with a timer, because 60 seconds feels very different when you hear yourself.
To start, try my free practice questions with model answers for every Speaking task and both Writing tasks. My free Vocabulary Booster gives you everyday and more precise words for 10 speaking topics. And if you'd like a full practice test with feedback on Speaking and Writing, join the waitlist for Ready Sprint, my course for the CELPIP test.