CELPIP Re-evaluation: Is It Worth the $55 Gamble?

That gut-sinking feeling. Your CELPIP scores pop up, and you’ve hit a 10 in Listening, a 12 in Reading… and an 8 in Writing. But you needed a 9.

Your first thought: “This has to be a mistake. I know I did better than that.” Your second thought: “Should I pay for a re-evaluation?”

It’s a common dilemma. You’re weighing the cost, the risk, and the chance that a different rater might give you the score you need. This guide will give you the definitive answer.

The 3 “Must-Know” Facts About Re-evaluation

Before you decide, let’s clear up the facts.

1. Which sections can be re-evaluated?

You can only request a re-evaluation for the Speaking and Writing sections.

Why? The Listening and Reading sections are marked by a computer. The answers are either right or wrong. Barring a system-wide glitch, that score is final.

Speaking and Writing, however, are scored by human raters. This introduces subjectivity. A different senior rater (who conducts the re-evaluation) may have a different opinion of your performance.

2. The Big Myth: Can my score go down?

NO. This is the most important rule.

Your score can only go up or stay the same. If the senior rater assigns a lower score than your original, your original score stands. There is zero risk of losing the points you already have.

3. What does it cost?

A re-evaluation costs $55 CAD (plus tax) per section.

• Want just your Writing re-evaluated? $55.
• Want both Writing and Speaking? $110.

Here’s the best part: If your score on a section changes (i.e., goes up), the $55 fee for that section is fully refunded to you.

You can apply for a re-evaluation any time within 6 months of your test date through your main CELPIP account.

So… Is It Worth It? (Which Section Should You Re-evaluate?)

This is where strategy comes in. “Worth it” depends on two things: the section itself and how you know you performed.

Re-evaluating Speaking

The Speaking section is often considered the most subjective. Raters are listening for tone, clarity, and task fulfillment under a tight clock. It’s absolutely possible that a second rater could be more favorable.

You SHOULD consider it if:

• You are 100% confident you spoke clearly and your ideas were well-organized.
• You finished all 8 tasks on time.
• You are just one CLB level short (e.g., you got an 8 but need a 9).

You should NOT consider it if:

• You know you mumbled or spoke too quietly.
• You completely froze or ran out of time on a task.
• You need a huge jump (e.g., from a 6 to a 9).

Re-evaluating Writing

Writing is also subjective, but a little less so than Speaking. Raters use a very specific checklist. Did you meet the word count? Did you address all the prompts? Is your grammar and vocabulary strong?

You SHOULD consider it if:

• You are positive you addressed every single bullet point in the prompt.
• You met the word count for both tasks.
• Your spelling and grammar were strong, and you used good transition words.

You should NOT consider it if:

• You know you missed one of the prompts in Task 1 or Task 2.
• You were significantly under the word count.
• You ran out of time and your conclusion was just one short-off sentence.

The Real Reason You Get a Low Score

A low score in the subjective sections (Speaking and Writing) is rarely a “bad rater.” It’s almost always a sign that the structure of the answer was weak.

Test-takers lose the most points in Writing Task 1 because they fail to follow the instructions. They might write a beautiful email but forget to address one of the three required prompts, resulting in an automatic low score for “Task Fulfillment.”

A re-evaluation won’t save you if the core task wasn’t completed. The first step is to master the formula.

• Before you even think about a re-take, be 100% certain you’ve mastered the high-scoring formula. You can review it right now in our Ultimate Study Guide for CELPIP Writing Task 1: Writing an Email.

Don’t Gamble on a Re-evaluation. Guarantee Your Score Instead.

A re-evaluation is a $55 gamble. You’re betting that maybe a different rater will see things differently. It’s a reactive solution to a problem that already happened.

A much better approach is to be proactive.

How can you guarantee your score before you pay for the test? You need feedback. But you can’t get feedback from a static practice test.

This is exactly why we built Exam Hero. We’re not another test library; we are a Smart AI Coach.

• Stop Guessing: Our AI acts like a senior rater. It gives you instant, detailed feedback on every Speaking and Writing task you submit.
• Know Your Weaknesses: The AI will tell you exactly why you’re losing points—whether it’s “Task Fulfillment,” “Vocabulary,” or “Listenability.”
• Get a Custom Plan: Our system analyzes your performance and builds an AI-powered study plan focused on your specific weak spots.

Why gamble $55 on a re-evaluation when you can guarantee your score the first time? Stop practicing in the dark.

Sign up for Exam Hero today and get your target score with our Smart AI Coach.