Is CELPIP easier than IELTS?

If you are reading this, you have probably finished your studies in Canada, and now you are applying for PR, or maybe you are planning to move to Canada. Both options need you to score good in English Language Tests, but there is one big problem standing in your way: The Scores

For a long time, IELTS was the only famous test. But now, CELPIP is becoming very popular. I teach both tests to students, and I have seen the results. In my opinion, if you want to get your PR, CELPIP is the better choice. This is also true if you are looking at Australia PR and finding it hard to get high scores in PTE Academic.

In this article, I will answer the most common question: Is CELPIP easier than IELTS?

1. The Writing Section: A Survey is Easier than an Essay

This is the biggest reason to choose CELPIP. The computer systems are the same for both tests now, but the questions are very different.

The Problem with IELTS Writing In IELTS Task 2, you have to write a formal essay. The topics can be very difficult. They might ask you about global warming, crime rates, child development, or government spending.

To get a good score (like 7 bands), your English needs to be good, but your ideas also need to be good. You need to use complex vocabulary. You need to give strong arguments. If you do not know much about the topic, you will struggle. I have seen students who speak perfect English fail this section because they ran out of ideas. It is very stressful to write 250 words on a complex topic in just 40 minutes.

The CELPIP Advantage In CELPIP, the second task is usually a "Survey Response." This is completely different from an essay. The question is usually about a normal, daily life situation.

For example, a question might be: "Your city wants to build a new building. Should it be a shopping mall or a park? Choose one and explain why."

This is so much easier! You do not need to know facts about the world. You do not need to be an expert. You just need to pick an option and give simple reasons. You can say, "I want a park because my children need a place to play." That is a valid argument in CELPIP.

Also, the tone in CELPIP is less formal. You can write in a way that feels more natural. For students who hate writing strict academic essays, CELPIP is a lifesaver.

2. The Speaking Section: Strategy Over Nervousness

The Speaking section is the second biggest difference. It changes how you prepare and how you feel on the test day.

IELTS: Talking to a Stranger In IELTS, you sit in a room with a real examiner. For some people, this is nice. But for many students, it is very scary. You do not know what they will ask. They can ask you "Why?" again and again.

If you get a strict examiner, you might feel nervous. If you get nervous, you might forget words. Also, the topics can be random. You cannot really memorize answers for IELTS because the conversation changes based on what you say.

CELPIP: Talking to a Computer In CELPIP, you record your answers on a computer. There is no human judging you in the room. This helps many students feel more relaxed.

But the best part is the structure. CELPIP Speaking questions follow a fixed pattern.

• Task 1 is always "Giving Advice."

• Task 2 is always "Talking about a Personal Experience."

• Task 3 is always "Describing a Scene."

Because we know the pattern, we can prepare a strategy. We can use templates. For example, for Task 1, you can always start with, "Hi John, I heard about your situation, and I think I can help you."

You can practice these lines at home. I have seen students score 10, 11, or even 12 in CELPIP Speaking because they prepared well. In IELTS, getting an 8 or 9 in speaking is extremely rare. Even native speakers find it hard. With CELPIP, if you practice the right strategy, a high score is very possible.

3. The Listening and Reading: Canadian Context

If you have lived in Canada for a while as a student or a worker, your ears are used to the Canadian accent.

• IELTS is International In IELTS, you will hear British, Australian, and New Zealand accents. Sometimes, they use words or slang that we do not use in North America. This can make the Listening section tricky. A heavy British accent can be hard to understand if you have only lived in Toronto or Punjab.

• CELPIP is Canadian CELPIP stands for "Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program." It is made for Canada. The people in the listening tracks sound like the people you meet at Tim Hortons or on the bus. They talk about Canadian things. The Reading section is also practical. You read emails from coworkers or newsletters. You do not read long, boring academic articles about history or biology. This makes it easier to focus and find the answers.

  
  

4. Comparison with PTE (For Australia Applicants)

I also want to mention PTE. Many students think PTE is the easiest computer test. It is a good test, but lately, it has become very hard to get high scores like 79+ (which equals 8 bands).

In PTE, the computer marks your speaking. Sometimes, if you breathe into the microphone wrongly or if your pitch is not perfect, the computer gives you a low score. You might get 90 in Speaking but only 60 in Writing. It is very unpredictable.

CELPIP is more stable. It is marked by humans (even though you record on a computer), so they can understand your accent better than a machine can. If you are struggling to get 88 in PTE Speaking or 85 in Writing, you should try CELPIP.

5. Work Smart, Not Hard

We all want the same thing: a high score for our immigration application. We do not need to prove we are poets or professors. We just need the points.

IELTS feels like a test for university professors. It judges your general knowledge and your ability to write formal reports.

CELPIP feels like a test for normal life. It judges if you can write an email, give advice to a friend, and understand a conversation.

6. Is CELPIP easier than IELTS?

My answer is Yes because

• Writing is easier (Survey vs Essay).

• Speaking is predictable (Templates work).

• The accent is Listening is familiar (Canadian style).

• Reading is al about everyday English

Don't make your PR journey harder than it needs to be. Choose the test that gives you the best chance to win.

Ready to Get Your Desired Score?

If you have decided to take CELPIP and want to make sure you get your score in the first attempt, I can help you.

You can enroll in our Advanced Training Program. In this course, you do not just get training; you get a complete package to ensure your success.

• One-on-One Classes: We focus entirely on you and help you improve your grammar and speaking.

• Huge Practice Bank: You get access to 284 sectional tests and 20 full mock tests.

• Real Exam Feel: All our tests have a duration constraint (timer), so you practice exactly like you are sitting in the real exam center.

Click here for more details about the Advanced Training

If you prefer to study on your own, you can simply buy our Practice Test Portal to access the mocks and practice questions.

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