CELPIP Speaking is delivered by computer. There is no live examiner sitting across from you. According to CELPIP official 2026 material, the section runs about 15 minutes and contains eight formal tasks.
The prompt appears on screen, preparation time runs down, and then the system advances on its own, plays a Start speaking now prompt, and begins recording automatically. Knowing each task’s timing is what stops you being caught mid-plan when the recording opens — or cut off by the timer at the end.
Task 1 — Giving Advice (30s prep / 90s recording)
You give advice directly to a person described in the prompt, usually several workable suggestions plus an explanation of why they help. Saying You should do this without a reason leaves the content thin. The tone should suit a friend, colleague, or family member.
Task 2 — Talking about a Personal Experience (30s / 60s)
You narrate a past experience. Keep a clear time order and include the people, the place, what happened, the outcome, and how you felt. Official preparation material is explicit that if you cannot think of a real experience, you may invent a reasonable story — you are being assessed on English communication, not on whether the events occurred.
Task 3 — Describing a Scene (30s / 60s)
You see an illustration and describe what is happening. Start with the overall scene, then pick a few clear areas or people to develop. Official material states you do not need to describe every detail in the picture. Explaining where people are, what they are doing, how they look, and how they might feel is worth far more than rapidly listing objects.
Task 4 — Making Predictions (30s / 60s)
Task 4 uses the same picture as Task 3 and asks what will probably happen next. Predictions should be grounded in visual clues and stay plausible. Describe what a person will do next and what might result, using will, might, may, and be likely to — rather than repeating I think before every sentence.
Task 5 — Comparing and Persuading (two parts)
Part 1 gives you 60 seconds to look at two options and choose one. Nothing is recorded in Part 1. Part 2 then presents a different option proposed by the other person; you get another 60 seconds of preparation and 60 seconds of recording to persuade them to accept the choice you made in Part 1.
Reading prices, sizes, and features off the screen is not enough — you have to explain why that information suits the situation.
Task 6 — Dealing with a Difficult Situation (60s prep / 60s recording)
You explain a difficult decision to a friend, family member, acquaintance, or customer. A strong response acknowledges the other person’s position, states the problem and the decision clearly, supports it with relevant reasons, and stays considerate but firm. Apologising without deciding, or deciding without explaining, both leave the task incomplete.
Task 7 — Expressing Opinions (30s / 90s)
The prompt usually asks Do you think… You decide for or against quickly, then support the position with about three reasons and specific detail. As with the writing survey task, your score does not depend on which side you choose. A clear, consistent, developable position beats guessing at a supposed model answer.
Task 8 — Describing an Unusual Situation (30s / 60s)
You describe an unusual scene to someone who cannot see it. Establish where you are and why you are contacting them, describe the most striking unusual feature and the surrounding detail, then close the conversation naturally.
When you do not know the name of an object, do not go silent — explain it by shape, position, purpose, or what it is doing.
The microphone check before you start
Before Speaking begins you get a chance to test the recording equipment and hear your own voice. Use it to set your distance from the microphone, your volume, and your pace.
Other candidates may be speaking at the same time. The official advice is to keep a normal speaking volume rather than raising your voice over the background noise.
How to use the preparation time
For every task, use the preparation window to understand what is being asked, settle on two or three main content points, and reserve one natural closing sentence.
Your Speaking result reflects overall performance across all eight tasks. One pause or one small error does not mean the section has gone wrong.
FAQs
How long is CELPIP Speaking? About 15 minutes, with eight tasks, delivered by computer.
Which tasks give 90 seconds? Task 1 and Task 7. The rest of the recorded tasks are 60 seconds.
Does recording start on its own? Yes — when prep time ends, the system advances and begins recording automatically.
Next, read how to answer Tasks 1-4 and how to answer Tasks 5-8.