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CELPIP exam 2024 - The full form of CELPIP is the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Programme. The CELPIP test is Canada’s one of the most sought-after general English language proficiency tests for permanent residency, citizenship, and professional designations. You can demonstrate your ability to function in an English environment through the CELPIP exam. The test analyzes your English abilities to function in day-to-day situations like communicating with your peers at your workplace, interacting with friends, understanding newscasts, and interpreting and responding to written materials. Read the full article to know what is CELPIP and other details about the exam.
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Programme, CELPIP is conducted by Paragon Testing Enterprises, a division of the University of British Columbia. It is used as an English language proficiency test exclusively for international people seeking PR in Canada. CELPIP scores are assigned from M to 12, where M is the lowest and 12 is the highest. The score obtained in CELPIP is converted into an equivalent Canadian Language benchmark and eligibility of a candidate for PR is established.
There are various reasons why you should take the CELPIP exam. One of them is that you can be done with the test in just a single sitting. Another factor that makes the CELPIP exam so popular is that you can use features like a personal timer, word counter, and spell-check. The test uses easy-to-understand English and vocabulary taken from everyday situations. The CELPIP results are made available only within 4 to 5 calendar days after the test. You can use free sample tests, videos, online information sessions, preparation courses, and webinars from the CELPIP official website.
CELPIP General Test | CELPIP General LS Test |
Costs CAD 280 + taxes (wherever applicable) | CAD 195 + taxes |
The test evaluates the test taker’s English speaking, reading, listening, and writing skills and is used for permanent residence applications and professional designations. | Evaluates the test taker’s English speaking and listening skills and is used for citizenship applications and professional designation. |
Takes approximately 3 hours to complete and can be done in one sitting with no separate speaking session. | Takes approximately 1 hour to complete and can be done in one sitting with no separate CELPIP speaking session. |
The CELPIP - General test is the IRCC-approved test for Permanent Residency applications | The CELPIP-LS test is the IRCC-approved test for Canadian citizenship applications |
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) facilitates the arrival of immigrants, protects refugees, and offers programming to help newcomers settle in Canada. It also facilitates grants of citizenship, permanent residency, and travel documents (such as passports) to Canadians.
CELPIP General test pattern
Listening (47 - 55 minutes): Listen to passages and answer questions
Reading (55 - 60 minutes): Read passages and answer questions
Writing (53 - 60 minutes): Respond to questions with written answers
Speaking (15 - 20 minutes): Reply to on-screen prompts verbally
CELPIP General LS exam pattern
Listening (47 - 55 minutes): Listen to passages and answer questions
Speaking (15 - 20 minutes): Reply to on-screen prompts verbally
There is a level assigned to each component of the CELPIP – General Test and the CELPIP – General LS Test. We have here a chart of each CELPIP level and its corresponding description. Since the CELPIP test scores have been calibrated against the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels, we have included the CLB level equivalencies in this CELPIP score chart.
CELPIP Scores
Test Level Descriptor | CELPIP Level | CLB Level |
Advanced proficiency in workplace and community contexts | 12 | 12 |
Advanced proficiency in workplace and community contexts | 11 | 11 |
Highly effective proficiency in workplace and community contexts | 10 | 10 |
Effective proficiency in workplace and community contexts | 9 | 9 |
Good proficiency in workplace and community contexts | 8 | 8 |
Adequate proficiency in workplace and community contexts | 7 | 7 |
Developing proficiency in workplace and community contexts | 6 | 6 |
Acquiring proficiency in workplace and community contexts | 5 | 5 |
Adequate proficiency in daily life activities | 4 | 4 |
Some proficiency in limited contexts | 3 | 3 |
Minimal proficiency or insufficient information to assess | M | 0,1,2 |
Not Administered: test taker did not receive this test component | NA |
For a better understanding of the CELPIP exam pattern and scoring, these CELPIP mock test support the candidate in improvising and evaluating the candidate's performance. The CELPIP practice test free are available on the official CELPIP website for the both CELPIP General and CELPIP General LS test.
The CELPIP is accepted by the IRCC for permanent resident status, Canadian citizenship, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades Programme, Federal Skilled Worker Programme, Start-up Visa Programme, and various provincial Nominee Programmes. Other than these, the CELPIP is accepted by various professional organizations, universities, colleges, and vocational programmes.
Alberta Institute of Massage
Alberta International Medical Graduate Programme (AIMG)
Ashton College
Bow Valley College (Health Care Aide Certificate only)
Brock University – Masters Preparation Certificate in Education
Canadian Arts & Sciences Institute
Canadian Imperial College
Coast Mountain College
Discovery Community College
Dominion Herbal College
First College
Focus College
Gateway College Great Plains College
Granville College
MaKami College
McKenzie College
NorQuest College ELP (English Language Proficiency)
Northern Lights College – Health Care Assistant
Olds College
Pace Canada College – Health Care Assistant
Pacific Coast Community College
Pacific Link College
Pacific Rim Early Childhood Institute
Rhodes Wellness College
SELC Career College Vancouver
Sprott Shaw College
Think Tank Training Centre
TLC International Training Center for Caregivers
Vancouver College of Massage Therapy (VCMT)
Western Community College
The current testing locations of CELPIP are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Japan, Nigeria, Australia, UK, Republic of Korea, Singapore, UAE, Philippines, India, China, USA, and Canada. In India, the CELPIP is administered in Chandigarh, Gujarat, New Delhi, Haryana, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.
CELPIP Exam is conducted in around 20 countries outside Canada and India is one of them. Fortunately, the cost of CELPIP is less than that of IELTS. CELPIP exam fees in India are INR 10,845 to be payable through VISA®, MasterCard®, American Express®, PayPal® or money orders in case of mail or offline payment.
There are three ways to complete CELPIP test booking: Online, through mail, and in person. Given below are the steps to make online registration.
1. Visit the official website of CELPIP- celpip.ca.
2. Complete the application form by giving all the required details.
3. Select a test date and centre.
4. Complete CELPIP test fee by paying INR 10,845 through a valid credit/debit card.
CELPIP exam date choice is open to the test takers. It is conducted throughout the year in India with select dates that can be checked on the official website of CELPIP. CELPIP in India is conducted in 8 test centres locations in the states of Chandigarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and West Bengal. Candidates have to choose the best date and location that is nearest to them at the time of CELPIP test booking. There are options to reschedule or cancel the examination by paying additional fees. In case of cancellation before 7 days of taking the test, 50% of the refund is reclaimed.
Date | Sessions |
Saturday, September 30 | 09:30 AM 02:00 PM |
Sunday, October 1 | 09:30 AM 02:00 PM |
Saturday, October 7 | 09:30 AM 02:00 PM |
Sunday, October 8 | 09:30 AM |
Saturday, October 14 | 09:30 AM 02:00 PM |
Sunday, October 15 | 09:30 AM 02:00 PM |
Saturday, October 21 | 09:30 AM 02:00 PM |
Sunday, October 22 | 09:30 AM 02:00 PM |
Saturday, October 28 | 09:30 AM 02:00 PM |
Sunday, October 29 | 02:00 PM |
Date | Session |
Saturday, October 7 | 09:00 AM 01:30 PM |
Sunday, October 8 | 09:00 AM |
Saturday, October 14 | 09:00 AM 01:30 PM |
Sunday, October 15 | 09:00 AM 01:30 PM |
Saturday, October 28 | 09:00 AM 01:30 PM |
Sunday, October 29 | 09:00 AM 01:30 PM |
Date | Time |
Saturday, October 7 | 09:00 AM |
Sunday, October 8 | 09:00 AM |
Sunday, October 15 | 09:00 AM |
Saturday, October 22 | 09:00 AM |
Sunday, October 29 | 09:00 AM |
Sunday, November 5 | 09:00 AM |
Sunday, November 19 | 09:00 AM |
Sunday, November 26 | 09:00 AM |
Sunday, December 3 | 09:00 AM |
Sunday, December 10 | 09:00 AM |
Sunday, December 24 | 09:00 AM |
Sunday, December 31 | 09:00 AM |
Candidates are advised to visit celpip.ca/take-celpip/find-a-test-date/ for detailed dates across India.
Both CELPIP and IELTS are accepted as language proficiency tests for Canada permanent residency eligibility. However, most individuals consider CELPIP test to be very straightforward and more accessible compared to IELTS. IELTS costs are higher than CELPIP comparing costs of CELPIP vs IELTS. While the difficulty level of each test is subjective, CELPIP test is ideal for people who have less time on their hands because CELPIP results can be had within three days of taking the test through CELPIP express rating, by paying an additional CAD 100.
CELPIP study materials are not as extensively available as those for other ELP tests such as IELTS or TOEFL. The cost of study material is one of the reasons many prefer IELTS over CELPIP when applying for PR in Canada. However, there are several study materials provided by CELPIP testing board in both free and paid modes.
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The difficulty level is almost the same in both IELTS and CELPIP.
The CELPIP exam enables you to prove your English language proficiency and is accepted by the government of Canada for immigration purposes.
The CELPIP exam is accepted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a variety of permanent residency and immigration streams, as well as for professional certification for a number of organizations.
The cost of the CELPIP ranges from CAD 195-CAD 280 plus taxes depending on the type of CELPIP exam the candidate chooses.
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