If you're moving to Canada or applying for Canadian citizenship, you need an approved English test. For most people, the choice comes down to two tests: CELPIP-General and IELTS General Training. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) accepts both, and both use the same Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels in the end. So which one should you take?
This guide compares the two tests side by side in plain English: the format, the scoring, the accents you'll hear and the kind of person each test suits best.
The short answer
Both tests are accepted by IRCC for permanent residence (including Express Entry) and for citizenship. Neither test is "easy", and neither is a trick. The best test for you is the one that matches how you like to work.
- CELPIP-General is a good fit if you live in Canada, you're comfortable using a computer, and you'd rather record your speaking answers than talk to an examiner. Everything is in Canadian English and happens in one sitting.
- IELTS General Training is a good fit if CELPIP isn't offered where you live, you'd like to take the test on paper, or you feel more natural speaking with a real person.
CELPIP vs IELTS at a glance
| CELPIP-General | IELTS General Training | |
|---|---|---|
| Accepted by IRCC | Yes (PR and citizenship) | Yes (PR and citizenship) |
| Where you can take it | Mostly in Canada, plus some other countries | In many countries around the world |
| How you take it | On a computer | On paper or on a computer |
| Speaking test | You record answers on the computer | Face to face with an examiner |
| Accents | Canadian English | A mix of English accents (for example British, Australian and North American) |
| Length | About 3 hours, all in one sitting | About 2 hours 45 minutes, plus a speaking test that may be on another day |
| Scores | Levels from 1 to 12 that match CLB levels | Bands from 0 to 9, converted to CLB with IRCC's chart |
How the scores compare
IRCC doesn't look at your test score directly. It converts each of your four skill scores to a CLB level, and program rules are written in CLB levels. This is where the two tests feel very different.
With CELPIP, the conversion is simple: a CELPIP level is the same number as the CLB level. A CELPIP 7 in Reading is CLB 7 in Reading. With IELTS, each skill has its own chart, and the bands you need are not the same for every skill.
Here is IRCC's equivalency chart for the levels most people need:
| CLB level | CELPIP (each skill) | IELTS Listening | IELTS Reading | IELTS Writing | IELTS Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 10 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| CLB 9 | 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| CLB 8 | 8 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| CLB 7 | 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| CLB 6 | 6 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| CLB 5 | 5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| CLB 4 | 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
Notice the jump for IELTS Listening: going from CLB 7 to CLB 9 means going from 6.0 to 8.0. If you're aiming for CLB 9 or higher (which gives you more points in Express Entry), check each skill carefully against this chart before you choose. IRCC updates its rules from time to time, so always confirm the current chart on the official Government of Canada website.
The four skills, side by side
Listening
CELPIP: six parts with 38 scored questions. You hear conversations, a news item, a discussion and people giving opinions, all in everyday Canadian situations: at work, at home and in the community. You hear each recording only once.
IELTS: four parts with 40 questions, about 30 minutes. The recordings include conversations and short talks, with speakers from different English-speaking countries.
The big difference is the accent and the setting. If you live in Canada and hear Canadian English every day, CELPIP's recordings will feel familiar.
Reading
CELPIP: four parts with 38 scored questions. You read messages, a diagram (like a schedule or price list), an information article and an opinion article. Some questions ask you to complete a reply by choosing words from a drop-down menu inside the text.
IELTS: three sections with 40 questions in 60 minutes. The texts include notices, workplace documents and one longer general article. You write short answers, match information or choose options.
Writing
CELPIP: two tasks, and you type both. Task 1 is an email (27 minutes). Task 2 is a response to a survey question, where you choose one of two options and explain why (26 minutes). Each answer should be about 150–200 words. The screen has a word counter and spell check.
IELTS: two tasks in 60 minutes. Task 1 is a letter of at least 150 words. Task 2 is an essay of at least 250 words, and it counts for more of your score.
If long essays are hard for you, CELPIP's shorter, practical tasks may feel easier to manage. If you type slowly, practice typing before a CELPIP test, because you can't write by hand.
Speaking
CELPIP: eight short tasks, about 15 to 20 minutes in total. For each task you read a situation, prepare for 30–60 seconds, then speak to the computer for 60–90 seconds. The recording starts and stops by itself.
IELTS: a conversation of about 11 to 14 minutes with a real examiner, in three parts: questions about yourself, a short talk on a topic, and a discussion.
This is often the deciding factor. Some people feel nervous with an examiner watching them. Others feel strange talking to a screen and like having a person nod and respond. Think about which one sounds less stressful to you.
Chose CELPIP? Start studying today
Practice with test-style tasks and real time limits, and see your estimated CELPIP level after every set.
Which test is easier?
Neither test is easier for everyone. Many test takers say CELPIP feels more natural because the situations are Canadian, everything is on one screen and there is no examiner. Others prefer IELTS because they already know its format or they can take it on paper. What matters is which test lets you show your real English level on the day.
CELPIP may suit you better if:
- You live in Canada and are used to Canadian English.
- You're comfortable typing and using a computer.
- You'd rather record your speaking answers than talk to an examiner.
- You want to finish all four skills in one sitting.
- You find it easier when test situations are practical and everyday, not academic.
IELTS may suit you better if:
- There is no CELPIP test centre near you.
- You'd rather write by hand on a paper test.
- You speak more naturally with a real person than with a computer.
- You need an English test result for another country as well as Canada.
Cost and results
Both tests cost a few hundred dollars, and prices change often and depend on where you take the test. Check the current fee on the official CELPIP website or IELTS website before you book.
Both tests give you results online in days, not weeks. For immigration and citizenship, IRCC accepts results that are less than two years old on the day you submit your application. IRCC also accepts PTE Core for immigration, and two French tests (TEF Canada and TCF Canada) if you prefer to use French.
If you choose CELPIP: how to prepare
The best preparation is to learn exactly what each task asks for and then practice under real test timing. Start with our free lessons, which explain every task in simple English with sample answers:
- Reading Part 1: Reading Correspondence
- Writing Task 1: Writing an Email
- Writing Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions
- Speaking Task 1: Giving Advice
When you're ready, you can try timed Reading sets, and get instant feedback on a Writing and a Speaking answer, with a free StudyPIP account.
Frequently asked questions
Does IRCC accept IELTS Academic?
No. For permanent residence and citizenship, IRCC accepts IELTS General Training, not IELTS Academic. Make sure you book the right version.
Can I use CELPIP for Canadian citizenship?
Yes. For citizenship you need at least CLB 4 in Listening and Speaking. You can use CELPIP-General or the shorter CELPIP-General LS, which only tests Listening and Speaking.
Is a CELPIP score of 9 the same as CLB 9?
Yes. CELPIP levels match CLB levels one to one, so CELPIP 9 is CLB 9. Levels 10, 11 and 12 all count as CLB 10.
Can I mix scores from CELPIP and IELTS?
No. IRCC uses the four skill scores from one test result. You can't take your Speaking score from one test and your Reading score from another.
Can I switch from IELTS to CELPIP?
Yes. Many people who didn't reach their target in one test try the other one. Before you switch, take a practice test in the new format so the tasks and timing don't surprise you on test day.