CELPIP vs IELTS General: which test should you take for Canada?

By Michael Ukwuma

Both tests are accepted for Canadian immigration. Here is how they differ in format, scoring and difficulty, and how to choose the one that suits you.

IRCC accepts both CELPIP General and IELTS General Training for permanent residence and citizenship. Neither is easier for everyone. The right choice depends on how you like to take a test and which skills are your strongest.

How they differ

Format: CELPIP General is taken on a computer in one sitting of just under three hours, Speaking included. IELTS can be on paper or computer, and Speaking is a face to face interview.
Accent: CELPIP uses Canadian English and everyday Canadian situations. IELTS uses a mix of accents.
Scoring: CELPIP levels match CLB levels directly. IELTS bands need converting, and the Listening bar is higher (for CLB 9, IELTS asks for 8.0 in Listening but 7.0 in the other skills).
Speaking: in CELPIP you speak to a computer and your answer is recorded. Some people find this calmer; others miss having a person to talk to.

Choose CELPIP if

You are comfortable typing and working on a computer.
You prefer to speak without an examiner watching you.
Listening is one of your weaker skills, since CLB 9 asks for a relatively higher IELTS Listening band.
You want one test with no separate interview day.

Choose IELTS if

You type slowly and prefer writing by hand.
You talk more naturally with a real person.
There is no CELPIP centre near you. CELPIP centres now include Dubai, Riyadh, Doha, Kuwait City, Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Manila and several Indian cities, but IELTS is offered in more places.

My advice. Whichever you pick, take a full practice test in that format first. Most score losses come from not knowing the format, not from weak English.

Check your own scores

Put your four CELPIP scores, or the scores you are aiming for, into the converter below. It shows your CLB level in each skill and the Express Entry language points they earn.

Sources

Key points

Both CELPIP General and IELTS General Training are accepted for Canadian immigration.
CELPIP is fully on computer, in Canadian English, with levels that match CLB directly.
Pick the format that suits how you work under pressure.