CELPIP-General cheat sheet

The Listening section contains 47–51 multiple-choice questions and runs approximately 47–55 minutes.

Six part types appear: Problem Solving, Daily Life Conversation, Information, News Item, Discussion, and Viewpoints.

Each audio recording plays once; question choices appear after the audio segment and cannot be replayed.

Problem Solving items ask which action or solution is most appropriate for the speakers' stated problem.

Viewpoints items require separating each speaker's opinion from supporting examples and background detail.

News Item items test main idea, specific detail, and implied meaning rather than verbatim wording.

When two options seem true, select the one that directly answers the exact question asked.

A distractor may repeat audio words while changing the speaker, time, relationship, or scope; reject it after checking those elements.

The Reading section has 38 multiple-choice questions and lasts approximately 55–60 minutes.

Four parts appear: Reading Correspondence, Reading to Apply a Diagram, Reading for Information, and Reading for Viewpoints.

Reading Correspondence uses an email or letter and a reply; questions test details, purpose, and tone.

Reading to Apply a Diagram requires matching written details to a visual schedule, form, or chart.

Reading for Information asks which paragraph contains a stated idea; keyword scanning must be confirmed by reading the sentence.

Reading for Viewpoints contrasts two opinions; questions test each writer's position, evidence, and points of disagreement.

Answers must be supported by the passage alone; outside knowledge is not a valid basis for selection.

A scope distractor is too broad or too narrow compared with the passage statement; the correct option matches the passage's exact scope.

Writing has two tasks completed in 53 minutes: an email in 27 minutes and a survey response in 26 minutes.

Each response should be about 150–200 words; falling far below can limit task fulfillment.

Task 1 email: state purpose early, include every required detail, use suitable tone, and close clearly.

Task 2 survey: state a clear position, support it with specific reasons or examples, and close by reaffirming the view.

Writing is rated on task fulfillment, coherence, vocabulary, and grammar/mechanics.

Tone rule: formal for businesses and unknown recipients, semi-formal for community contacts, informal only for friends or close colleagues.

Coherence requires logical progression and transitions; each paragraph should develop one central point.

Reserve the final three to five minutes to check subject-verb agreement, tense, spelling, and punctuation.

Speaking has eight timed tasks and takes about 15–20 minutes; responses are recorded for later rating.

Task sequence: Giving Advice, Personal Experience, Describing a Scene, Making Predictions, Comparing and Persuading, Difficult Situation, Expressing Opinions, Unusual Situation.

Describing a Scene uses present continuous and spatial language covering people, actions, foreground, and background.

Making Predictions uses future forms such as will, going to, and might, with visual evidence for each forecast.

Comparing and Persuading requires a stated preference, comparison criteria, reasons, and an invitation for agreement.

Difficult Situation responses acknowledge the problem, propose a solution, and state the expected result.

Expressing Opinions requires a clear thesis, two supported reasons, and a conclusion that restates the position.

Intelligibility is affected by pronunciation, pacing, stress, and volume; it is not judged by accent alone.