CELPIP Speaking Tips: How to Get a Higher Score

For many test takers, Speaking is the most stressful part of CELPIP. You have only a few seconds to prepare, you speak to a computer instead of a person, and you can't record your answer again. The good news is that Speaking is also the section where a few simple habits can make the biggest difference to your score.

Here are the tips that matter most, from how the test is scored to what to do in the last ten seconds of an answer.

How CELPIP Speaking works

The Speaking test has eight tasks and takes about 15 to 20 minutes. For each task:

1. A situation or question appears on the screen.
2. You have 30 to 60 seconds to prepare. You can take notes on paper.
3. You speak for 60 or 90 seconds. The recording starts and stops by itself.

You can't pause, and you can't start again. If you stop talking early, the recording keeps going until the time is up. For a full list of the eight tasks, see our guide to the CELPIP test format.

What raters are listening for

Trained raters listen to your recordings and score them in four areas. Knowing these areas tells you exactly what to practice.

Notice what's missing from this list: a perfect accent. You don't need to sound Canadian. You need to be clear and easy to understand.

Tip 1: Use your preparation time for a plan, not a script

You can't write a full answer in 30 seconds, and reading from notes sounds unnatural. Instead, write a few words for:

• Your main point (for example, "take the bus").
• Two reasons or details (for example, "cheaper" and "no parking").
• An ending (for example, "try it for a week").

That simple plan keeps you organized, and it gives you something to look at if your mind goes blank.

Tip 2: Start strong with your main point

Raters remember how you begin. Don't spend the first 15 seconds repeating the question. Start with a clear first sentence that answers it:

• "If I were you, I'd take the job in Calgary."
• "I think the city should build the new library downtown."
• "Hi Sam, I'm so sorry, but I can't help you move on Saturday."

Then give your reasons, with a detail for each one.

Tip 3: Give details and examples

Short, general answers get low scores for content. Compare these two:

• "The bus is cheaper. It's better."
• "A monthly bus pass is about a hundred dollars, but parking downtown costs more than that every week. So you'd save a lot of money."

The second answer is only a little longer, but it shows you can explain an idea. A good rule: for every reason, add one detail (a number, a place, a time) or one example from your life.

Tip 4: Talk to the person in the task

Many tasks tell you who you're speaking to: a friend, a neighbour, your manager, your family. Speak to them directly, as if they were in front of you. Use their name or "you", and choose a tone that fits: warm and relaxed for a friend, polite and respectful for a manager.

This is part of task fulfillment, and it's one of the easiest places to gain points.

Tip 5: Use the whole time, and finish with an ending

Try to speak for almost all of the time you have. An answer that stops after 30 seconds of a 90-second task can't reach a high level, even if the English is perfect.

But don't just keep talking until the recording cuts you off. Keep an eye on the timer, and in the last few seconds, finish with a short ending:

• "So those are my reasons. I really hope you'll think about it."
• "Anyway, let me know what you decide."
• "That's why I think this is the better choice for our family."

A clear ending makes your whole answer sound organized.

Tip 6: Pauses are fine, silence isn't

Everyone pauses to think. Short pauses sound natural. Long silences, though, make you harder to follow. When you need a moment, use a natural phrase instead:

• "Let me think about that for a second."
• "Another reason is..."
• "What I mean is..."

And if you make a small mistake, don't stop to fix it unless it changes your meaning. Just keep going. Raters care more about how well you communicate than about one wrong word.

Tip 7: Learn phrases for each type of task

Each task type has its own job, so it helps to have a few phrases ready:

• Giving advice: "If I were you, I would...", "Have you thought about...?", "It might be a good idea to..."
• Telling a story: "A few years ago...", "At first...", "In the end...", "What I learned was..."
• Describing a picture: "In the middle of the picture...", "On the left...", "It looks like..."
• Persuading: "I can see why you like..., but...", "The main advantage is...", "Think about how much we'd save."
• Giving an opinion: "In my opinion...", "The main reason is...", "For example..."

Our free lessons have more phrases and full sample answers for Giving Advice, Talking about a Personal Experience, Comparing and Persuading, Dealing with a Difficult Situation and Expressing Opinions.

Tip 8: Practice out loud, with a timer

Thinking about an answer in your head is very different from saying it out loud in 60 seconds. The only way to get used to the timing is to practice the way the test works:

1. Read a task, and set a timer for the preparation time.
2. Record yourself on your phone for the full speaking time.
3. Listen back. Did you answer the whole question? Did you give details? Did you finish with an ending?
4. Try the same task again the next day and compare.

Even better, get feedback from someone who knows what CELPIP raters look for. With a free StudyPIP account, you can record a Speaking answer with the real timers and get it scored on the four CELPIP areas, with specific tips to improve.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Memorizing whole answers. Raters notice answers that don't quite fit the question. Learn phrases and structures, not scripts.
• Speaking too fast. When you're nervous, you speed up. A calm pace is easier to follow and gives you time to think.
• Ignoring part of the task. If the task asks for two things, do both. Read the task twice while you prepare.
• Talking about yourself when the task is about someone else. In advice tasks, focus on the other person's situation.
• Worrying about one bad task. Your level comes from all eight tasks. If one goes badly, forget it and focus on the next one.

Frequently asked questions

How long should my CELPIP Speaking answers be?

Use almost all of the time: 60 or 90 seconds, depending on the task. Finish with a short ending just before the time runs out.

Does my accent affect my CELPIP Speaking score?

Not by itself. What matters is whether you're easy to understand. Clear pronunciation, a natural pace and good stress on important words matter much more than sounding like a native speaker.

Can I use notes in the Speaking test?

Yes. You can write notes on paper while you prepare. Keep them short, just a few words for each point, so you can look up and speak naturally.

What happens if I stop talking before the time is up?

The recording keeps going until the time ends. Raters hear the silence, and a short answer usually gets a lower score for task fulfillment. It's better to add one more detail or an ending.

How can I practice CELPIP Speaking at home?

Use real task types with the real timers, record yourself, and listen back. Focus on one thing at a time: first organization, then details, then vocabulary.