About the CELPIP Listening Section
The CELPIP General Listening test measures your ability to understand spoken English in everyday situations. It is one of four scored sections (along with Reading, Writing, and Speaking) and contributes to your overall CELPIP level, which is reported on the 1–12 scale used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
What the 6 parts cover
- Part 1 — Problem Solving: A two-speaker dialogue where you identify the issue and the proposed solution.
- Part 2 — Daily Life Conversation: An informal exchange about everyday plans, purchases, or arrangements.
- Part 3 — Information: A monologue such as a news report, announcement, or recorded message.
- Part 4 — News Item: A broadcast-style segment with factual details to locate in the questions.
- Part 5 — Discussion: A three-speaker conversation with differing opinions to keep track of.
- Part 6 — Viewpoints: A monologue presenting an opinion or argument you must interpret.
Listening tips for a higher CELPIP score
- Read the answer choices before the audio plays so you know what to listen for.
- Each recording plays only once — focus on keywords, names, dates, and the speaker's attitude.
- Note whether a question asks about the past, present, or future; distractors often mix them up.
- Answer every question. There is no penalty for a wrong answer, so a guess is better than a blank.