If you’re planning to take the CELPIP exam in 2025, understanding the syllabus should be your very first step. The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) assesses your ability to use English in everyday situations, making it an essential test for immigration and professional certification in Canada.
It’s important to familiarize yourself with the structure, syllabus, and question types for 2025. Because a clear knowledge of the section-wise syllabus will help you focus on key areas, structure your preparation effectively, and maximize your score. In this guide, we’ll break down each section of the CELPIP Test, so you know exactly what to expect and how to prepare.
CELPIP Exam Syllabus 2025
CELPIP is available in two versions: CELPIP-General Test and CELPIP-General LS Test. It’s crucial to know which version suits your needs. The General Test is designed for applicants seeking permanent residency or professional advancement, while the General LS Test is primarily for citizenship applications. Both versions assess English language skills but differ in duration.
The CELPIP-General Test takes about three hours, covering Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, while the CELPIP-General LS Test is a one-hour assessment focusing only on Listening and Speaking. Both tests have a similar format for the listening and speaking sections. Below is an overview of the test formats for both versions.
| Section | CELPIP – General Test | CELPIP – General LS Test |
| Components | Listening Reading Writing Speaking | Listening Speaking |
| Duration | 3 hours | 1 hour |
| Accepted | Permanent Residency Applications | Canadian Citizenship Applications |
CELPIP Listening
The listening section in the CELPIP exam pattern 2025 consists of 6 parts of a total of 38 questions, along with 1 practice task at the start of the section. Although there are different question types, the candidate has to read the answer choices in the listening test section. The skills of the candidate are measured and scored under categories like meaning, vocabulary, task fulfillment, and listening ability. CELPIP test duration for the listening section is 47 – 55 minutes. The Listening section of the CELPIP Test is structured to evaluate a candidate’s ability to comprehend spoken English. The table below provides detailed information about this section:
| No. of questions | Component sections | Duration | Notes | Skills tested |
| 1 | Practice Task | – | – | – |
| 8 | Part 1: Listening to Problem Solving | 3 separate audio clips, each is 1-1.5 minutes long | Verbal questions | Question types Introduction to test-taking strategies Introduction to vocabulary-building |
| 5 | Part 2: Listening to a Daily Life Conversation | 1 audio clip, 1.5-2 minutes long | Verbal questions | Establishing context Note-taking strategies: Location and time Note-taking strategies: Main ideas and supporting details |
| 6 | Part 3: Listening for Information | 1 audio clip, 1.5-2 minutes long | Verbal questions | |
| 5 | Part 4: Listening to a News Item | 1 audio clip, – 1.5 minutes long | Written questions | Using abbreviations for note-taking Synonyms Note-taking to record facts |
| 8 | Part 5: Listening to a Discussion | 1 video clip – 1.5-2 minutes long | Written questions | Visual clues Relevant vs. irrelevant information |
| 6 | Part 6: Listening to Viewpoints | 1 audio clip – 3 minutes long | Written questions | Recognizing facts and opinions Differentiating between summaries and paraphrases Identifying pros and cons |
| TOTAL | ||||
| 38 | 6 tasks | 47-55 minutes | Multiple choice, Fill in the blanks | All Listening Test skills |
CELPIP Reading
The Reading section in the exam pattern of CELPIP consists of 4 parts of a total of 38 questions, along with 1 practice task at the start of the section. Candidates need to read the passages and answer the questions. The time allotted for the reading section is 55-60 minutes. The Reading section assesses your ability to understand written English through a variety of question types. Here is the detailed exam pattern for this section:
| No. of questions | Component sections | Description | Duration | Skills tested |
| 1 | Practice Task | – | – | – |
| 11(6+5) | Part 1: Reading correspondence | Answer multiple-choice questions and complete an email response | 11 minutes | Skimming and scanning Synonym-matching pair work activity Timed reading |
| 8(5+3) | Part 2: Reading to Apply a Diagram | Answer multiple-choice questions and complete an email response | 9 minutes | Understanding coherence and applying logic Locating specific information Recognizing a writer’s purpose and tone Timed reading |
| 9 | Part 3: Reading for Information | Select a paragraph that contains the given information | 10 minutes | Understanding paragraph components Identifying main ideas in paragraphs Timed reading |
| 10(5+5) | Part 4: Reading for Viewpoints | Answer multiple-choice questions and complete a reader’s comment | 13 minutes | Understanding meaning based on context Eliminating wrong answers Identifying viewpoints Fact or opinion Timed reading |
| TOTAL | ||||
| 38 | 6 tasks | Multiple choice, Information matching | 47-55 minutes | All Reading Test skills |
CELPIP Writing
The writing section in the CELPIP test pattern consists of 2 tasks with only 1 question each. Candidates need to respond to the given questions and write the answers to them. The skills of the candidate in this section are measured and scored under categories like meaning, vocabulary, task fulfillment, and readability. CELPIP exam duration for the writing section is 53-60 minutes. The Writing section of the CELPIP Test gauges your ability to write clearly and coherently in English. It involves creating structured responses for different scenarios, as detailed in the table below:
| No. of questions | Component sections | Description | Duration | Length | Skills tested |
| 1 | Practice TaskTask 1: Writing an Email | Write an email regarding day-to-day matters. | 27 minutes | 150-200 words | Email format Paragraphing Introduction Synonyms Avoiding repetition Time sequencers Tone and register |
| 1 | Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions | Respond to an opinion survey regarding commonly encountered issues and justify your choice. | 26 minutes | 150-200 words | Expressing an opinion Using conjunctions Supporting details Transitions Concluding sentences Timed writing Peer feedback: Identifying common errors |
| TOTAL | |||||
| 2 | 2 tasks | 53 – 60 minutes | All Writing Test skills | ||
CELPIP Speaking
The speaking section in the exam pattern of CELPIP consists of 8 tasks and one question for each. Candidates need to reply to the questions appearing on the screen prompt by speaking. The time allotted for the speaking section is 15-20 minutes. The Speaking section assesses your oral communication skills by asking you to respond to various prompts. The following table outlines the structure of this section:
| No. of questions | Component sections | Description | Duration | Skills tested | |
| Preparation Time | Speaking Time | ||||
| 1 | Practice Task | Practice speaking into the microphone. | 30 seconds | 60 seconds | Understanding performance standards Review of speaking skills Developing ideas Introduction to vocabulary-building |
| 1 | Task 1: Giving Advice | Help someone to either make a decision or prepare for something. | 30 seconds | 90 seconds | Organizing your thoughts Giving advice Using WH questions for narratives Time expressions Transitions |
| 1 | Task 2: Talking about a Personal Experience | Tell a story about a past experience. | 30 seconds | 60 seconds | |
| 1 | Task 3: Describing a Scene | Look at an illustration and describe what is happening. | 30 seconds | 60 seconds | Prepositions of location Describing details Practice: Describing and making predictions Making predictions from a scene |
| 1 | Task 4: Making Predictions | Look at the same illustration and describe what you think will happen next. | 30 seconds | 60 seconds | |
| 1 | Task 5: Comparing and Persuading | Part 1 – select your preferred option from two choices | 60 seconds | – | Choosing, comparing and persuading Inflection and intonation Giving effective reasons |
| Part 2 – persuade someone to agree with the option you have made | 60 seconds | 60 seconds | |||
| 1 | Task 6: Dealing with a Difficult Situation | Explain a decision to a friend or family member. | 60 seconds | 60 seconds | |
| 1 | Task 7: Expressing Opinions | Explain why you agree or disagree with a statement. | 30 seconds | 90 seconds | Stating an opinion Weak vs. convincing reasons |
| 1 | Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation | Describe a picture of an unusual item or situation to someone who cannot see the picture. | 30 seconds | 60 seconds | |
| TOTAL | |||||
| 8 | 8 tasks | 15-20 minutes | All Speaking Test skills | ||
Conclusion
Make sure you are fully prepared to tackle the test and achieve your desired score by understanding the CELPIP Test format and scoring criteria. Familiarize yourself with the test structure, create a smart study plan that aligns with the syllabus and practice consistently to enhance your skills in each section. Start your preparation today and boost your chances of achieving your desired CELPIP score in 2025!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the CELPIP Exam Syllabus?
Ans: The CELPIP exam assesses your English proficiency in four key areas: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Each section is designed to test your ability to understand and use English in real-life situations, making it highly relevant for work, study, and immigration. The CELPIP General Test evaluates a candidate’s proficiency in English through four sections:
| Section | Number of Questions | Duration | Description |
| Listening | 38–45 | 47–55 minutes | Assesses the ability to understand spoken English in various contexts. |
| Reading | 38–45 | 55–60 minutes | Measures comprehension of written English through diverse passages. |
| Writing | 2 tasks | 53–60 minutes | Evaluates written communication skills in English. |
| Speaking | 8 tasks | 15–20 minutes | Tests spoken English proficiency through various tasks. |
With a real-world approach, the CELPIP exam ensures you’re well-prepared for life in an English-speaking country.
2. Is CELPIP Harder Than IELTS?
Ans: The difficulty level of CELPIP vs. IELTS depends on your strengths and preferences.
- CELPIP is entirely computer-based, while IELTS offers both computer-based and paper-based options.
- CELPIP’s speaking test is recorded, making it less stressful for those uncomfortable with face-to-face interviews. In contrast, IELTS has a live examiner.
- CELPIP uses Canadian English, whereas IELTS includes a mix of British, American, and Australian English.
- IELTS Academic is more challenging for students, while CELPIP is preferred for immigration purposes.
Overall, if you’re comfortable with a computer-based exam and everyday English usage, CELPIP might feel easier!
3. What CELPIP Score is Needed for PR?
Ans: To apply for Permanent Residency (PR) in Canada, your required CELPIP score depends on the immigration program you’re applying for.
For Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker Program):
- Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 7 or higher is typically needed.
- This means a minimum CELPIP score of 7 in each section (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking).
For other programs like Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), the required score may vary. Always check the latest immigration requirements to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.
