CELPIP test format, timing and scoring
CELPIP General is one computer sitting of about 2 hours 50 minutes: listening 38 questions, reading 38 questions, writing two tasks and speaking eight tasks. Results arrive online in 2 to 4 business days. Paragon's pages disagree on how long a score lasts, and each program sets its own limit.
The four sections
| Section | Questions | Time | Parts or tasks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 38 questions | 46 to 55 minutes | Listening to Problem Solving | Listening to a Daily Life Conversation | Listening for Information | Listening to a News Item | Listening to a Discussion | Listening to Viewpoints |
| Reading | 38 questions | 43 to 56 minutes | Reading Correspondence | Reading to Apply a Diagram | Reading for Information | Reading for Viewpoints |
| Writing | 2 questions | 53 minutes | Writing an Email | Responding to Survey Questions |
| Speaking | 8 tasks | 15 minutes | Giving Advice | Talking about a Personal Experience | Describing a Scene | Making Predictions | Comparing and Persuading | Dealing with a Difficult Situation | Expressing Opinions | Describing an Unusual Situation |
How CELPIP is scored
Listening and reading are marked by computer. Writing and speaking are marked by trained raters.
The Listening and Reading Tests contain unscored items used for test development. These unscored items can be found anywhere within the Listening and Reading Tests and will have the same format as the scored items. You will not be able to tell scored items from unscored items, so apply your best effort to the entire test.
Results and validity
CELPIP Test scores are available online through your CELPIP Account in 2-4 business days after your test date. Paragon's July 2026 guidebook says the same, 2 to 4 business days.
Your CELPIP Test scores can be accessed and viewed online in your CELPIP Account for a period of 5 years from your test date.
How long a score is valid: Paragon's test format page says cELPIP scores are valid for two years from the date your score report is issued. Its results page says cELPIP scores are valid for five years from the date your score report is issued. The program decides what counts: IRCC wants Express Entry results less than 2 years old, and Home Affairs counts tests in a window before your visa application.
Paragon's test overview page still says 3 to 4 business days. Its results page, July 2026 guidebook and country pages all say 2 to 4, which is what this page uses.
CELPIP General and CELPIP General LS
The CELPIP Test measures your English language proficiency in Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The CELPIP Test assesses all four skills, while the CELPIP LS Test only assesses Listening and Speaking.
The LS test is used for citizenship: IRCC asks for speaking and listening at CLB 4 for ages 18 to 54. The fee is CAD 199 plus taxes, against CAD 299 for CELPIP General.
Every CELPIP level
Paragon's chart for CLB, CEFR and Australia.
| CELPIP level | CLB | CEFR | Australia level (Home Affairs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 12 | C2 | Superior English – At least: CELPIP 10 for Listening CELPIP 10 for Reading CELPIP 12 for Writing CELPIP 10 for Speaking |
| 11 | 11 | C1 | - |
| 10 | 10 | C1 | Proficient English – At least: CELPIP 9 for Listening CELPIP 8 for Reading CELPIP 10 for Writing CELPIP 8 for Speaking |
| 9 | 9 | B2 | - |
| 8 | 8 | B2 | - |
| 7 | 7 | B2 | Competent English – At least CELPIP 7 for each component |
| 6 | 6 | B1 | - |
| 5 | 5 | B1 | Vocational English – At least CELPIP 5 for each component |
| 4 | 4 | A2 | - |
| 3 | 3 | A2 | - |
Common questions
Paragon: total test time is 2 hours and 50 minutes, and is done in one sitting.
Paragon lists 38 questions in each: Listening: 38 questions · 46–55 minutes; Reading: 38 questions · 43–56 minutes.
No. CELPIP speaking is eight tasks answered into a computer in about 15 minutes, with no separate speaking session.
CELPIP Test scores are available online through your CELPIP Account in 2-4 business days after your test date.
Paragon's pages disagree. Its test format page says: CELPIP scores are valid for two years from the date your score report is issued. Its results page says: CELPIP scores are valid for five years from the date your score report is issued. What matters is the program: IRCC wants Express Entry results less than 2 years old when you complete your profile and when you apply.
Yes. The Listening and Reading Tests contain unscored items used for test development. These unscored items can be found anywhere within the Listening and Reading Tests and will have the same format as the scored items. You will not be able to tell scored items from unscored items, so apply your best effort to the entire test.
Paragon lists the four sections with their question counts and time: “Listening: 38 questions · 46–55 minutes” “Reading: 38 questions · 43–56 minutes” “Writing: 2 questions · 53 minutes” “Speaking: 8 tasks · 15 minutes” Paragon's guidebook splits listening into parts. Part 1 is Listening to Problem Solving (8 questions), Part 2 is Listening to a Daily Life Conversation (5), Part 3 is Listening for Information (6), Part 4 is Listening to a News Item (5), Part 5 is Listening to a Discussion (8) and Part 6 is Listening for Viewpoints (6). Reading has Part 1, Reading Correspondence (11 questions), Part 2, Reading to Apply a Diagram (8), Part 3, Reading for Information (9), and Part 4, Reading for Viewpoints (10).