CELPIP General Test- Everything to Know

Canada’s popularity amongst Indian aspirants is at an all-time high. In 2022, 118,095 Indians became permanent residents as per the National Foundation for American Policy. 

Around 2,26,450 Indian students were also welcomed by Canada in 2022 out of a total of 5,51,405 new students. If you want to follow in their footsteps, then clearing the CELPIP General Test may be helpful.

Here are some details of the test that will give you a better idea. 

What Is CELPIP – General

The CELPIP General Test is officially required for applications for permanent residence by the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada). It is also accepted for professional designations and by several educational institutions throughout the country for admissions into specific courses/programs. 

It evaluates the reading, listening, writing, and speaking skills of aspirants in the English language. 

Why CELPIP General Test

Taking the CELPIP General Test comes with its fair share of advantages. Some of them include: 

• CELPIP tests are necessary for taking up professional employment, gaining admission to universities, and also for immigration in Canada. 
• You will get the results swiftly within 3-4 business days after your test date. 
• It is a computer-based test that you can complete in a single sitting. 
• Some of its key features ensure higher convenience for test-takers, including a spell-checker, word counter, and personal timer. 
• You will find plenty of resources at the official site including free sample tests and videos. There are preparatory courses and online information sessions available, too, along with helpful webinars. 
• The CELPIP tests use vocabulary and English drawn from regular and daily scenarios. They are easy for almost anyone to understand. 
• These tests are accepted by the IRCC for not just citizenship and permanent residence but also across several categories. These include the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, Student Direct Stream and many other programs. 
• Professional organizations like the BCFSA, CALSPO, CDO, CICC, CMLTO, FMRAC, RECA, and others accept the test. 
• Numerous educational institutions accept the test in Canada, including leading names such as Ashton College, Bow Valley College, Brock University, Canadian Imperial College, Northern Lights College, Western Community College, and others. 

What is Difference between CELPIP General and CELPIP General LS

The difference between the CELPIP General Test and CELPIP General LS Test is the following: 

Parameter	CELPIP General	CELPIP General LS
Cost	INR 12,500 in India	(only in Canada)- CAD195 or approximately INR 11,994
What it Evaluates	English speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills of aspirants	English speaking and listening skills of aspirants
What it is Used for	Professional designations and permanent residence applications	Professional designations and citizenship applications
Duration	One 3-hour sitting	One 1-hour sitting
What it is Approved for	It is IRCC-approved for PR status	It is IRCC-approved for citizenship status
Sections	Listening- 47-55 minutes  Reading- 55-60 minutes Writing- 53-60 minutes Speaking- 15-20 minutes	Listening- 47-55 minutes Speaking- 15-20 minutes

CELPIP General Test Format 

The CELPIP General Test format is the following: 

• Listening- 47-55 minutes 

Component	Number of Questions
Practice Task	1
Part 1: Listening to Problem Solving	8
Part 2: Listening to a Daily Life Conversation	5
Part 3: Listening for Information	6
Part 4: Listening to a News Item	5
Part 5: Listening to a Discussion	8
Part 6: Listening to Viewpoints	6

• Reading- 55-60 minutes

Component	Number of Questions
Practice Task	1
Part 1: Reading Correspondence	11
Part 2: Reading to Apply a Diagram	8
Part 3: Reading for Information	9
Part 4: Reading for Viewpoints	10

• Writing- 53-60 minutes

Component	Number of Questions
Task 1: Writing an Email	1
Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions	1

• Speaking- 15-20 minutes 

Component	Number of Questions
Practice Task	1
Task 1: Giving Advice	1
Task 2: Talking about a Personal Experience	1
Task 3: Describing a Scene	1
Task 4: Making Predictions	1
Task 5: Comparing and Persuading	1
Task 6: Dealing with a Difficult Situation	1
Task 7: Expressing Opinions	1
Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation	1

There are some unscored items in the Reading and Listening tests. These are majorly used for test development purposes. They will have the same format as the other scored items. Candidates cannot tell the difference between scored and unscored items. Hence, it is best to focus on getting as many tasks right as possible. 

CELPIP General Test Registration Process

The registration process for the CELPIP General Test has to be done online. You will have to choose the requisite fields and provide your details before you register by providing an identification document and making the necessary payment for the test. Registration for a particular test sitting closes once the maximum capacity is attained or one business day prior to the test date. You can find tests in your chosen location online and then click on register now to start the registration process. 

Conclusion

The CELPIP General Test is thus important if you wish to attain citizenship/permanent residence in Canada in the future. It is also vital if you wish to study at particular institutions and attain your desired professional designations. Hence, it is important to start preparing for the test in advance by using the free resources provided online at the official portal. 

Read More:

• PR Visa for Canada
• Exams to Write Study Abroad
• Exams for Studying Abroad
• Cost of Living in Canada
• Cost of Studying in Canada for Indian Students