CELPIP vs PTE Core: Which Test Should You Take?

Both tests are accepted for Express Entry

Per IRCC's Express Entry language testing page, the accepted English tests are CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core. If you take a Pearson test for Express Entry, you must take the PTE Core option. Your test results must be less than 2 years old when you complete your profile and when you submit your application for permanent residence.

Minimum levels are set per ability (listening, reading, writing and speaking) and differ from program to program. Check the IRCC language testing page for the minimums of the program you are applying to.

Test structure and timing

PTE Core takes no more than 2 hours in total, and speaking and writing tasks are mixed in the same part. The CELPIP figures are the section times listed in CELPIP's official format information.

There is also a CELPIP-General LS test, which contains listening and speaking only. It is a different test and is not part of this comparison.

Task types side by side

PTE Core has 19 scored task types across three parts, from Read Aloud and Repeat Sentence in Part 1 to Re-order Paragraphs in Part 2 and Write from Dictation in Part 3. About half of those task types count toward two skills at once. The task map lists all 19 and the skills each one feeds.

CELPIP-General organises its tasks by skill. Speaking has eight tasks. Writing has two: Task 1 is an email and Task 2 is a survey response. Reading has four parts.

How you answer: short PTE tasks vs longer CELPIP responses

PTE Core uses many short, separately timed tasks. A few examples from Pearson's test format pages:

• Answer Short Question: a 10-second response.
• Read Aloud, Describe Image and Respond to a Situation: a 40-second response each.
• Write Email: an email of 80–120 words in 9 minutes.

PTE Core speaking is scored automatically; the lesson on how speaking is scored explains what Pearson says the system listens for.

CELPIP-General uses fewer, longer responses:

• Speaking Task 1 (Giving Advice): 30 seconds of preparation, then 90 seconds of recording.
• Speaking Task 6 (Dealing with a Difficult Situation): 60 seconds of preparation, then 60 seconds of recording.
• Writing: twenty-seven minutes for the email task and twenty-six for the survey response, with responses generally around 150–200 words.

In both tests, follow the instructions and timer shown in the actual test.

Scores and CLB levels

PTE Core reports each skill on a 10–90 scale, and each skill score converts to a CLB level separately using Pearson's official table. The lesson on score targets and CLB levels walks through that table.

On the CELPIP side, CELPIP Level 9 corresponds to CLB 9. For other levels, use CELPIP's official test results information.

Questions to decide which test suits you

Neither test is easier for everyone. These questions help you find the format that fits you:

• Pace: are you more comfortable with many short, timed tasks, or with fewer, longer responses where you have time to develop an answer?
• Typing and emails: how quickly can you plan and type a short email? PTE Core gives 9 minutes for 80–120 words; CELPIP gives more time for a longer email.
• Your weakest skill: which skill is furthest below your target CLB? Look at how each test assesses that skill before you book.
• Dates and locations: test dates and centres vary. Check each provider for availability where you live.

Try both before you book

Try a few PTE Core practice questions to get a feel for the short, timed tasks, or sit a full PTE Core mock test.

Then try some CELPIP practice questions to compare. For a full CELPIP study path, see CELPIP preparation.