CELPIP Test Reading Task Preparation

CELPIP Test Overview

To immigrate to Canada, you will need to include the results from an English or French language test. This test will show that you have the skills you need for daily life, communication and work in Canada.

There are only two English language exams accepted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

One of these exams is the CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program). You want to achieve the highest score possible on this exam to get more points for your immigration application. The more points you have, the higher your chances will be of being invited to apply for immigration. Your application score is also based on factors such as employment history, occupation, family status, and age. It also helps if you already have a family member in Canada who has a PR or is a citizen.

The CELPIP test is made up of four different English skills: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. Reading and understanding English can be difficult, especially when you are under time pressure. The reading section is very important because you will need to read several passages and understand them in order to answer the questions correctly and complete other parts of the test. Therefore, it is essential to prepare for the CELPIP reading test by taking practice tests or enrolling in a CELPIP preparation program.

Format of the CELPIP Reading Section

The CELPIP test is three hours long. The reading section is 55 to 60 minutes long. However, you need reading skills for the writing and speaking sections too. In the writing section, you will respond with written answers to questions you read. And in the speaking section, you will respond with verbal answers to on-screen information you read. You will move through the different sections without any long breaks.

The reading section of the CELPIP exam has one practice task and four scored sections. The first section is reading correspondence, which has 11 questions. The second section is reading to apply a diagram, which has 8 questions. The third section is reading for information, which has 9 questions. And the fourth section is reading for viewpoints, which has 10 questions.

To get a feel for what to expect from the CELPIP reading section, you can check out a free sample test on the CELPIP official website. Select the CELPIP General test if you want your application for permanent residence to be accepted. If you are applying for citizenship, you will need to take the CELPIP General LS test.

There are two ways to do the sample test. You can do the whole test or you can just do parts of it. If you want to, you can read about the reading section and that will help you prepare for the CELPIP reading test. When you're ready, watch a video that explains how the sample test works.

You will find numerous other free CELPIP reading test preparation resources on the CELPIP site, as well as materials for purchase to help you prepare.

Preparing for the CELPIP Reading Test

• Find English newspapers, blogs and information online that cover current events in Canada. Read each item carefully, then summarize them in a few sentences. Check these statements against the passages to ensure you have understood the information correctly.
• If you have friends and family who read and write in English, you could start sending them letters to share your thoughts and ideas. Later, you can share what you learned from their letters to see if you correctly interpreted what they wrote.
• Reading in English as much as possible is a good way to improve your comprehension skills. You can read books in genres that you enjoy, instead of books in your dominant language. If you read in English regularly, your comprehension levels will go up significantly.
• You can find videos about how to do well on the CELPIP reading test by looking online. These videos will give you a good idea about what to do to score higher in each section of the test.

When you're ready to book your test, choose a time here.

Most importantly, don’t stress over the CELPIP test. Remember that if you’re not satisfied with your scores the first time around, you always have the option of retaking the exam.

Good luck.