CELPIP General
CELPIP General test format
The CELPIP General test measures four skills — Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking — in a single computer-based sitting of about three hours. Here's exactly what each component looks like, how long it takes, and how it's scored, with free practice for every part.
The four components at a glance
Listening
~47–55 min6 parts, about 38 questions. Conversations and clips played once, then questions.
Listening practiceReading
~55–60 min4 parts, about 38 questions: correspondence, a diagram, information and viewpoints.
Reading practiceWriting
~53–60 min2 tasks: Task 1 is an email; Task 2 is a response to a survey. 150–200 words each.
Writing practiceSpeaking
~15–20 min8 tasks, each with short prep and speaking times, recorded into a microphone.
Speaking practiceOrder, timing and format
The test is delivered in a fixed order — Listening, Reading, Writing, then Speaking — with a short optional break before Speaking. Everything is done on a computer at an approved test centre, including the Speaking component, which you record through a microphone (there is no face-to-face examiner). In total, plan for about three hours at the centre.
How CELPIP General is scored
Each skill is scored separately on a 1–12 scale that lines up directly with the Canadian Language Benchmarks — a CELPIP 9 is CLB 9. Listening and Reading are scored by answer key, while Writing and Speaking are marked by trained raters on content, vocabulary, readability/listenability and task fulfilment. There is no single pass/fail; the level you need depends on your goal. Learn more in CELPIP scores explained and what score you need for PR and citizenship.
Frequently asked questions
01How long is the CELPIP General test?+
The full CELPIP General test takes about three hours and is completed in a single sitting on a computer, covering Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
02What order do the CELPIP sections come in?+
The test is delivered in this order: Listening, Reading, Writing, then Speaking. There is a short optional break before the Speaking component.
03How is CELPIP General scored?+
Each of the four skills is scored on a 1–12 scale that maps directly to the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB), so a CELPIP 9 is CLB 9. Listening and Reading are scored by answer key; Writing and Speaking are scored by trained raters.
04Is CELPIP General computer-based?+
Yes. The entire test — including Speaking, which is recorded through a microphone — is delivered on a computer at a test centre.
Why CELPIP Trainer
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