CELPIP-General study plan
CELPIP-General · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Listening & Reading
Establish a baseline by completing one full-length Listening set and one full-length Reading set under strict timing, then tabulate accuracy by task type.
Build a personal note-taking shorthand of at least 15 symbols and apply it while listening to 10 short audio passages.
Name each Listening task type and write one sentence describing the specific listening behaviour it rewards.
Read four 300-400 word informational articles and compress each into a single-sentence main-idea statement.
Your checkpoint
A baseline score sheet showing accuracy per Listening and Reading task type, plus a one-page 15-symbol shorthand key.
Listening & Reading
Drill 30 inference and opinion items, quoting the exact words in the audio or passage that justified each chosen answer.
Match 25 paraphrased sentence pairs to their originals to sharpen recognition of restated ideas.
Complete three timed Reading passages at 11 minutes each and record finishing time per passage.
Transcribe five one-minute audio segments verbatim to expose decoding gaps at natural speed.
Your checkpoint
An error log of 20 missed items, each with the justifying phrase quoted and the miss cause labelled (vocabulary, speed, misread question, distractor).
Listening & Reading
Simulate the full Listening section twice with no pauses and review every item afterwards.
Practise skimming a passage for structure in 45 seconds before answering any question.
Interpret five diagram, chart, or schedule-based reading sets and state the rule used to eliminate wrong options.
Reduce average Reading time per passage by 90 seconds versus week 2 while holding accuracy.
Your checkpoint
Two timed full Listening sections scored, accompanied by a written five-point fix list for the next attempt.
Reading & Writing
Write two 150-200 word email responses in 27 minutes each, hitting purpose, tone, and all three bullet prompts.
Revise each email once, cutting filler words and checking subject-verb agreement and article use.
Complete two timed Reading sets while applying the skim-then-scan routine from week 3.
Classify the ten most frequent grammar slips in your own writing and drill each with five corrected sentences.
Your checkpoint
Two timed emails with a self-scored checklist covering task completion, tone, grammar, and word count.
Writing & Listening
Draft four survey-response paragraphs in 26 minutes each using a claim-reason-example structure.
Build a reusable bank of 12 linking phrases and insert them naturally into two of the drafts.
Maintain listening sharpness with three 20-minute audio sessions focused on speaker attitude and agreement.
Proofread three finished pieces using a fixed five-point checklist rather than open-ended rereading.
Your checkpoint
Four timed survey responses, each annotated with the checklist items that initially failed and the correction made.
Writing & Speaking
Record eight spoken responses to 60-second prompts and time each to stay within the limit without trailing off.
Re-record four of those responses after listening back, targeting filler reduction and clearer sentence openings.
Write two full Writing sections back to back under exam timing and score them against a rubric you write yourself.
Describe six everyday images aloud for 60 seconds each, structuring each as overview, two details, and a closing link.
Your checkpoint
A recording folder of eight timed speaking responses plus two full timed writing sections with written scores and next-step notes.
Speaking & Writing
Deliver ten speaking responses across all task types, capping preparation at the official limit.
Diagnose and fix two recurring pronunciation or fluency habits identified from your recordings.
Write one full Writing section in exam conditions and cut 15 words from it in revision without losing content.
Answer three follow-up questions aloud to practise extending an answer under mild time pressure.
Your checkpoint
A scored speaking log of ten responses rating content, fluency, vocabulary, and grammar on a 1-5 scale, with the two weakest areas flagged.
Listening & Reading & Writing & Speaking
Complete one full four-skill mock under exam timing and score each section within 24 hours.
Re-attempt the ten item types that produced the most week 1-7 errors and confirm improvement.
Compress your shorthand key, grammar fix list, and linking-phrase bank into a single one-page exam-day sheet.
Rehearse the opening 15 seconds of each speaking task type five times to remove hesitation.
Your checkpoint
A full mock score report by section with a one-page exam-day reference sheet and a ranked list of the three remaining weak spots.
Milestones
Week 4: Timed Listening and Reading accuracy at or above 60% on both, with fewer than five unclassified errors in the log.
Week 6: All eight speaking recordings inside the time limit, and both timed writing sections complete with every prompt bullet addressed.
Week 8: Full mock completed under exam conditions with all four sections scored and each section within 10 points of your target band.