CELPIP vs IELTS: The Ultimate Guide for Canadian Immigration

Both are accepted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), but they are fundamentally different tests. Choosing the wrong one can be a costly, time-consuming mistake.

This guide breaks down exactly what you need to know to choose the right test for you.

What’s the Core Difference?

CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program): This test is made by Canadians, for Canada. It’s a single, 3-hour, 100% computer-based test that uses Canadian accents and real-world scenarios.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System): This is the global standard. It’s used for immigration and study in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. It uses a mix of international accents (British, Australian, American) and comes in two formats: paper-based or computer-based.

For Canadian immigration, you must take the CELPIP General Test or the IELTS General Training test.

CELPIP vs. IELTS: A Head-to-Head Comparison

The best way to decide is to compare the four sections directly.

Feature	CELPIP General	IELTS General Training
Accepted by IRCC	Yes	Yes
Test Format	100% computer-based	Computer-based OR Paper-based
Accents Used	Canadian only	International (British, Australian, etc.)
Speaking Test	Recorded into a microphone	Face-to-face with a live examiner
Test Length	~3 hours (all in one sitting)	~2 hours 45 mins (Speaking often on a different day)
Results Time	3-8 days	3-5 days (computer) / 13 days (paper)

A Deeper Look: Speaking Section

This is the most significant difference and the #1 factor for most test-takers.

CELPIP Speaking

• How it works: You read prompts on a computer screen and record your answers into a microphone. There is no human in the room.
• The Tasks: You are given 8 tasks that mimic real-life situations, such as giving advice to a friend, describing a scene from a picture, or expressing an opinion.
• Who it’s for: This format is ideal if you get nervous speaking to a live person. You can focus just on the screen and your answer.

IELTS Speaking

• How it works: You sit in a room (or on a video call) with a live, certified examiner. It feels like a structured, formal interview.
• The Tasks: The test has 3 parts: an introduction and interview, a “long turn” where you speak on a topic for 1-2 minutes, and a follow-up discussion.
• Who it’s for: This format is better if you are a confident speaker who prefers a natural, human conversation and finds talking to a computer awkward.

A Deeper Look: Writing, Reading, and Listening

Writing

• CELPIP: 100% typed. The two tasks are practical: Writing an Email (Task 1) and Responding to a Survey (Task 2). This is great for fast typists.
• IELTS: You either type (computer-based) or handwrite (paper-based). The tasks are more academic: writing a letter (Task 1) and writing an essay (Task 2). If you have slow or messy typing skills, the paper-based option is a huge advantage.

Reading

• CELPIP: All questions are computer-based multiple-choice (using a drop-down menu). This means spelling is not a risk.
• IELTS: Features a wider variety of question types, including “fill-in-the-blanks,” matching, and True/False/Not Given. Spelling counts on your answers.

Listening

• CELPIP: Uses only Canadian accents and multiple-choice questions. You cannot go back and review your answers once you’ve moved on.
• IELTS: Uses a mix of international accents. You get a variety of question types (like in the Reading section), and you have time at the end to review and transfer your answers.

The CELPIP test is not just about grammar; it’s about functional communication. For example, in the Speaking section, you’re not just asked random questions, you’re put in a specific scenario.

Two of the most common tasks are Speaking Task 3: Describing a Scene and Speaking Task 4: Making Predictions about that same scene. You are graded on your ability to use specific vocabulary, structure your answer logically, and speak clearly under pressure.

Just practicing is not enough. You need a strategy for exactly what to say.

To master this, you need a proven method. Start by reviewing our Ultimate Study Guide for CELPIP Speaking Task 3: Describing a Scene. It breaks down the exact structure you need to get a high score.

The Verdict: Which One Should You Take?

You should choose CELPIP if:

• You are a fast and comfortable typist.
• You get very nervous speaking to a live examiner.
• You are more comfortable with North American accents only.
• You want your entire test done in one single appointment.

You should choose IELTS if:

• You prefer a natural, face-to-face conversation with a real person.
• Your typing is slow, and you prefer to handwrite your essays.
• You are confident in your spelling.
• You want a test that is also accepted in other countries (like the UK).

How to Stop Practicing and Start Improving

Now you know which test to take. The next question is how to prepare.

The most common mistake is wasting months on “static practice”, doing endless mock tests from a book or a simple test library and just hoping your score gets better.

But think about it: If you don’t know why your Speaking task is scoring a CLB 7, how can you ever get a 9? When you just do tests without feedback, you are only practicing your mistakes.

To improve a skill, you need feedback. Not just more practice.

This is where Exam Hero is different. We didn’t build another test library; we built a Smart AI Coach.

• Stop Guessing: Our AI provides instant, detailed feedback on your Speaking and Writing. It doesn’t just give you a score; it tells you what to fix and how to fix it.
• Stop Wasting Time: Our AI-powered Study Plan analyzes your weaknesses and creates a custom roadmap, so you only study what you actually need to.
• Get Proven Strategies: Learn the high-scoring structures for every single CELPIP task, so you can answer with confidence every time.

Don’t just practice in the dark. Start training with a “Smart AI Coach” and get your target score, faster.

Sign up for Exam Hero today and unlock your personalized study plan.