A lot of people use the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) to test their English skills when they want to move to Canada, become a citizen, or get a job. There are two main versions of the CELPIP test: CELPIP General and CELPIP LS. Both tests measure your English skills, but they differ in what they assess, how they are structured, and their intended use.
In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between CELPIP General and CELPIP LS, including their setup, scoring, purpose, and which one you should choose based on your goals.
What is CELPIP General?
CELPIP General is the full version of the CELPIP test. It assesses your ability to use English in a variety of situations, such as for moving to a new country, getting a job, or going to school. This test covers all four language skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
You need CELPIP General for:
Immigration: For Canadian immigration programs like Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), or family sponsorship.
Citizenship: To become a Canadian citizen, you must prove your English skills by taking the CELPIP General test.
Employment: Some Canadian employers and professional bodies require CELPIP General as proof of English proficiency.
Education: CELPIP General is accepted by many Canadian universities and colleges, especially for graduate or professional programs.
How CELPIP General is Set Up
CELPIP General includes four sections, each designed to assess a different language skill:
Listening (47 minutes)
Tests your ability to understand spoken English. You will listen to conversations, discussions, and talks, then answer questions based on the recordings.Reading (55 minutes)
Assesses your ability to understand written texts. You’ll read articles, advertisements, and letters, and answer questions based on what you read.Writing (53 minutes)
Tests your writing skills. You’ll complete two tasks: one where you respond to a situation or write a letter, and another where you write an opinion or argument in an essay format.Speaking (20 minutes)
Evaluates your spoken English. You will respond to questions using a computer microphone, speaking about personal experiences, opinions, and hypothetical situations.
What is CELPIP LS?
CELPIP LS is a shorter and simplified version of the CELPIP test. It only tests two language skills: listening and speaking. It is primarily used for specific purposes that require only these two skills, such as applying for Canadian citizenship.
CELPIP LS is mainly used for:
Canadian Citizenship: If you are between the ages of 18 and 54 and applying for citizenship, CELPIP LS is the test required to prove your ability to listen and speak in English.
Limited Immigration Programs: In some cases, CELPIP LS might be required for certain immigration pathways, although CELPIP General is more commonly used for most immigration applications.
How CELPIP LS is Set Up
CELPIP LS has only two sections:
Listening (30 minutes)
Tests your ability to understand spoken English. You’ll listen to conversations or public announcements and answer questions based on the audio.Speaking (15 minutes)
Assesses your spoken English. You’ll respond to prompts using a computer microphone, talking about different topics or giving personal responses.
Compared to CELPIP General, CELPIP LS is much shorter and focuses only on listening and speaking.
Key Differences Between CELPIP General and CELPIP LS
Here’s a quick comparison of the two versions of the CELPIP test:
| Feature | CELPIP General | CELPIP LS |
|---|---|---|
| Parts of the Test | Speaking, Writing, Reading, Listening | Speaking, Listening |
| Total Test Time | About 3 hours | About 1 hour |
| Test Focus | Comprehensive evaluation of all four skills | Focus on Listening and Speaking only |
| Main Uses | Immigration (Express Entry, PNPs), Citizenship, Work, Education | Citizenship (for applicants aged 18-54) |
| Scoring | Scored on all four skills: Speaking, Writing, Reading, Listening | Scored on Listening and Speaking only |
| Who Should Take It | People applying for immigration, citizenship, jobs, or study in Canada | People aged 18-54 applying for Canadian citizenship |
| Test Length | About 3 hours | About 1 hour |
When Should You Take CELPIP General or CELPIP LS?
The choice between CELPIP General and CELPIP LS depends on your goals and the specific requirements of the program you’re applying for:
Take CELPIP General if:
You are applying for Canadian immigration (Express Entry, PNPs, family sponsorship).
You need to prove your English proficiency for citizenship, and you must show all four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking).
You need to show your English skills for work or education purposes in Canada.
Take CELPIP LS if:
You are between 18 and 54 years old and applying for Canadian citizenship.
You only need to prove your listening and speaking skills for citizenship (reading and writing are not required for this test).
Why Pick CELPIP?
CELPIP is a reliable, quick, and convenient way to assess English language proficiency. Both the CELPIP General and CELPIP LS tests are designed to measure how well you can use English in real-world situations. The tests are computer-based, which makes them efficient and accurate in assessing language skills.
CELPIP General is ideal if you need to test all your language skills.
CELPIP LS is suitable if you only need to prove your listening and speaking abilities for Canadian citizenship.
Final Thoughts
The main difference between CELPIP General and CELPIP LS lies in the range of language skills tested.
CELPIP General tests listening, reading, writing, and speaking, making it suitable for most immigration, citizenship, job, and school purposes.
CELPIP LS, on the other hand, tests only listening and speaking, and is specifically for those who need to show English proficiency for Canadian citizenship.
Check out our Web Story at https://celpip.biz/web-stories/difference-between-celpip-general-and-celpip-ls/
