CELPIP vs IELTS
Both are accepted for Express Entry, and IRCC reads each against the same CLB scale, so what matters is which test you score higher in. CELPIP-General is computer-delivered in one sitting with no separate speaking session; IELTS speaking is a face-to-face interview. Express Entry takes IELTS General Training only, and does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake.
Side by side
Where a cell is blank for IELTS in Canada, the provider's own page did not give a figure we could quote.
| Item | CELPIP | IELTS |
|---|---|---|
| Fee in Canada | CAD 299 plus taxesParagon | CAD 361 plus tax, varies by locationIDP Canada |
| Results | Online within 2-4 business daysParagon | Check the provider |
| Format | Computer, one sitting under 2 hours 50 minutes, no separate speaking sessionParagon | Speaking is a face-to-face interview with a trained examinerIELTS Australia |
| Express Entry | CELPIP-GeneralIRCC | IELTS General Training, no One Skill RetakeIRCC |
| Citizenship speaking and listening | CELPIP-General LSParagon | Check the provider |
| Scale | Levels, 1 to 12 for each skill | Bands, 0 to 9 for each skill |
| Accents | Canadian English | A mix of English-speaking countries |
| Paper option | No, computer only | Paper or computer (British Council; IDP Canada's page says computer-delivered and paper-based) |
| CLB 7, each skill | 7 | 6.0 General Training |
| CLB 9, each skill | 9 | 7.0–8.0 General Training |
| Australian visas | CELPIP General is on the Home Affairs list for tests from 7 Aug 2025 | IELTS Academic and General Training are on the list |
The same CLB in each test
From IRCC's tables.
| IRCC level | CELPIP | IELTS General Training |
|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 10 | L 8.5 · R 8.0 · W 7.5 · S 7.5 |
| CLB 9 | 9 | L 8.0 · R 7.0 · W 7.0 · S 7.0 |
| CLB 8 | 8 | L 7.5 · R 6.5 · W 6.5 · S 6.5 |
| CLB 7 | 7 | L 6.0 · R 6.0 · W 6.0 · S 6.0 |
| CLB 6 | 6 | L 5.5 · R 5.0 · W 5.5 · S 5.5 |
| CLB 5 | 5 | L 5.0 · R 4.0 · W 5.0 · S 5.0 |
| CLB 4 | 4 | L 4.5 · R 3.5 · W 4.0 · S 4.0 |
CELPIP format
Paragon's published sections.
| CELPIP section | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 38 questions | 46 to 55 minutes |
| Reading | 38 questions | 43 to 56 minutes |
| Writing | 2 questions | 53 minutes |
| Speaking | 8 tasks | 15 minutes |
Cost, results and changing your booking
The practical differences once you have decided.
| Item | CELPIP General | IELTS General Training |
|---|---|---|
| Fee in Canada | CAD 299 plus taxes | CAD $335 and $361 before tax (IDP Canada) |
| Results | Online in 2 to 4 business days (Paragon) | IELTS: 3-5 days (IDP Canada) |
| Cancel 7 or more days out | 50% refund, per Paragon | Check IDP Canada |
| Move the date | First transfer free, then CAD 50 plus taxes (Paragon) | Check IDP Canada |
| One weak skill | Paragon's pages we read describe no single-skill retake | IELTS One Skill Retake exists, but Express Entry does not accept it |
More on each: the CELPIP price page and the CELPIP results page.
Which test for which program
- Express Entry: both are accepted, in the General versions. IRCC converts each to CLB, and the Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class (TEER 0 or 1) programs ask for CLB 7 in every skill.
- Citizenship: Paragon says CELPIP General LS covers speaking and listening and is used for citizenship applications. Check IRCC's language-proof page for IELTS.
- Post-graduation work permit: IRCC publishes CLB tables for both. See the PGWP page.
- Australian visas: CELPIP General and IELTS are both on the Home Affairs list for tests from 7 August 2025.
Is one easier?
British Council (an IELTS partner): Neither test is objectively "easier", both are pegged directly to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) standards required by IRCC. Paragon: As high-stakes tests, neither can be labelled as easy or difficult. The page on that question is Is CELPIP easier than IELTS?
Common questions
Per the British Council, CELPIP is entirely computer-based, including speaking, and emphasises Canadian accents; IELTS General Training can be taken on paper or computer, has a face-to-face speaking test and uses a mix of accents. Both map to the same CLB.
IRCC accepts both. British Council: Taking CELPIP vs IELTS will not give you preferential treatment in your Canada visa application process.
CELPIP General is CAD 299 plus taxes on Paragon's overview page, though Paragon's pages show other figures too. IDP Canada: The cost of an IELTS test in Canada ranges between CAD $335 and $361 before tax.
CELPIP: CELPIP Test scores are available online through your CELPIP Account in 2-4 business days after your test date. IDP Canada's comparison page lists “IELTS: 3-5 days” for IELTS, so check your test centre.
No. IRCC: “We don’t accept IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry.”
Yes, since the Home Affairs list changed for tests from 7 August 2025. Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) is a general English language proficiency test officially recognized by Australia's Department of Home Affairs (DHA) for English proficiency.
IRCC's tables work in CLB, skill by skill. IELTS General Training 7.0 is CLB 9 in reading, writing and speaking and CLB 7 in listening, so it lines up with CELPIP 9 in those three skills and CELPIP 7 in listening. CLB 7 in every skill is CELPIP 7, or IELTS L 6.0 · R 6.0 · W 6.0 · S 6.0.