Which English Test is Easier, CELPIP or IELTS?

Immigration to Canada is a common decision that is taken by a majority of candidates around the world. Canada is a booming country with the utmost possibilities in terms of academics and work. Obtaining a Canadian visa is directly linked with submitting a score proof of an English language proficiency test or French. In fact, the scores need to be pretty high to be able to acquire a Canadian PR visa. Generally, the highest vote is won by the IELTS. Though it should be noted that there are two English language proficiency tests only acceptable by the Canadian Immigration and Citizenship. Apart from IELTS, CELPIP is the other one.

CELPIP or Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program is an English language testing metric that has become equivalent to IELTS in terms of acceptability though comparatively newer. The CELPIP exam is a product of the Canadian Immigration and Citizenship department for testing international students as well as immigrants. The acceptability of CELPIP is also extended for studying in Canada, its universities, colleges, employers, the government in Canada. CELPIP is accepted by CIC for the following visas:

• Canadian Citizenship
• Permanent residence
• Express Entry

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program
2. Federal Skilled Trades Program
3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

• Start-up visas
• Most Provincial Nominee Programs

CELPIP also comes in two forms: CELPIP General Test and General LS Test, the former is required for immigration purposes. Though the CELPIP and IELTS syllabus is similar, the former is finished in a single day. The scoring format of CELPIP is aligned with the CLB level. In the CELPIP exam, 12 points are allotted for every section. The following table will help understand the score distribution:

Now, you need to have a minimum CELPIP score of 7 in each of the sections to ensure an Express Entry. The maximum score obtained can be 24.

Which English Test is Easier CELPIP or IELTS?

After getting an idea about the CELPIP exam, and also from certain surveys of previous candidates we have curated some informational points:

• CELPIP’s listening and speaking sections are more complex than IELTS. The listening section plays a recording with a duration of about 1 minute, and the questions almost ask you to remember every minute detail of what was told. For instance, a video comprised a conversation among 3 people and the question asked about the opinion of a person in specific clothing. This demands the utmost concentration of the test-takers, unlike IELTS listening.
• The CELPIP speaking test requires you to speak opposite to a recorder that makes the whole atmosphere very technical. Had it been a human conversation, expressing details would be easier. The examiner would also be able to study the expressions, and feelings of the test-taker. The time allotted is also restricted compared to the massively detailed questions they ask.
• Even after tremendous practice scoring high in CELPIP English may just be in vain as evident from a test-taker’s incident. He wanted to obtain the Canadian Express Entry CRS which required around 9 scores. But even after numerous attempts at practice tests, practicing from the official practice sets, and also being satisfied with the performance in the test he secured a 7 in writing. He shifted all his focus to taking the IELTS instead. IELTS writing can be scored higher after proper preparation.
• CELPIP is a completely Canadian English test which makes it limited in terms of other accents.
• In India, there are as low as three cities offering CELPIP test centers - Chandigarh, Delhi, Ahmedabad.
• IELTS is accepted throughout the world, whereas CELPIP is only for Canada. If you are decisive about going to Canada then taking CELPIP can be advantageous but otherwise definitely IELTS.

CELPIP is also preferred by certain test-takers. Why?

• For some, CELPIP is a more favorable one when compared to IELTS as it is a complete CBT or computer-based test.
• Speaking before the computer is more preferred by certain candidates as compared to human examiners. This makes them more comfortable and eases their tension.
• The CELPIP exam pattern is more easygoing which is not noticed in IELTS. The CELPIP exam is designed with certain subparts requiring a distinctive approach for solving. Moreover, more time can be invested in revising the answers.
• There is no obligation of pencil or paper as CELPIP is completely computer-based. You simply have to select the correct answer from the dropdown options.
• A very unique advantage is not having a cramped classroom of students like IELTS/TOEFL.
• Many students prefer finishing the exam in a single day. While CELPIP does allow that, the IELTS speaking exam is taken on some other day.
• The time taken to modify your test dates or evaluation of answers is relatively shorter than that of IELTS.

After an evaluation of both CELPIP and IELTS, it can be stated that IELTS is concluded to be the easier and more preferred one. IELTS is accepted by over 9,000 institutions across the world. If you are someone determined to pursue Canadian immigration only then opting for CELPIP can be good. Otherwise, IELTS offers way more opportunities.