About the CELPIP Speaking Section
The CELPIP General Speaking test is made up of eight tasks that simulate everyday and workplace conversations in Canada. Each task gives you a short prep timer followed by a response timer, and your speech is rated on the 1–12 CELPIP scale. The section takes about 15–20 minutes to complete.
The eight tasks
- Task 1 — Giving Advice: Recommend a solution to a friend's problem (30s prep / 90s response).
- Task 2 — Personal Experience: Describe something from your own life (30s / 60s).
- Task 3 — Describing a Scene: Talk about what you see in a picture (30s / 60s).
- Task 4 — Making Predictions: Say what will happen next in a scene (30s / 60s).
- Task 5 — Comparing & Persuading: Convince someone of a choice (60s / 60s).
- Task 6 — Difficult Situation: Handle a problem with tact (60s / 60s).
- Task 7 — Expressing Opinions: Give your view on an issue (30s / 90s).
- Task 8 — Unusual Situation: React to a hypothetical scenario (30s / 60s).
Speaking tips for a higher CELPIP score
- Use the prep time to jot two or three points — a simple structure beats hesitation.
- Speak for the full response time; short answers score lower than developed ones.
- Connect ideas with linking words (first, however, as a result) to show organization.
- Keep your tone appropriate to the task — friendly for friends, formal for workplace scenes.