When planning to relocate to Canada, you may find yourself at a crossroads in choosing between the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP).
The language proficiency tests are accepted for immigration purposes, but IELTS is more widely accepted in over 140 countries, opening up your world to more opportunities.
IELTS vs Celpip: Understand the differences
One of the requirements you need to fulfill for permanent residency or citizenship applications in Canada is to take a language proficiency test. While both tests aim to assess your English language skills, they differ in several ways.
One notable difference as a test taker seeking to relocate to Canada lies in the content of the test. Although, the content of both tests may cover similar vocabulary and topics. CELPIP primarily features North American accents in the listening and reading tests with delivery via computer.
IELTS, as a globally recognized test, features more English accents. So, you’ll get to hear from a variety of accents during the listening test with a trained human examiner, mirroring real-life interactions.
IELTS offers more flexibility
All the CELPIP components are administered on a computer, whereas IELTS offers more options to test takers based on their needs and freedom to choose the nearest venue from 15 locations across Nigeria.
If you prefer to use a pen over typing your responses, with IELTS, you can sit for your test on paper. IELTS on Computer is another option with faster result availability.
Face-to-face interaction
During the speaking test of CELPIP, test takers respond to on-screen prompts on the computer. The IELTS speaking is conducted with a trained human examiner well-versed in multiple English accents, either in person or virtually via video conference.
IELTS | CELPIP | |
Accepted in | Over 140 countries | Only in Canada |
Test Delivery | Paper-based and computer-based | Computer-based only
|
Speaking test | Face-to-face with a real human examiner | Dialogue with a computer
|
Available for Study | Yes, IELTS Academic | No, just Celpip General and Celpip LS |
IELTS and Celpip: How am I marked?
The IELTS listening, reading, and writing components are manually evaluated by human examiners, as well as the speaking component.
For CELPIP, a computer-based marking is utilized for the listening and reading sections, with a human examiner responsible for evaluating the writing and speaking components.
IELTS or CELPIP: Which should I go for?
While both tests are accepted by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) for Permanent Residency and Citizenship, it is not globally recognized and trusted as IELTS.
IELTS is accepted by over 11,000 organizations in 145 countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. This opens up a wide range of opportunities for you to study, work, and live abroad.
If you value real-life interaction, IELTS offers an invaluable opportunity with the face-to-face speaking test. Evaluating you based on personalized topics that are relevant to your experiences.