IELTS vs CELPIP: Which Test for Canada

Which tests Canada accepts

Express Entry is an online system that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses to manage applications from skilled workers source: IRCC.

For English, three tests are approved: CELPIP, IELTS and PTE Core. You must take the CELPIP-General test, the IELTS General Training test or the PTE Core test source: IRCC.

IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted. Your results must be less than two years old when you complete your profile and again when you apply source: IRCC.

IRCC reads CELPIP and IELTS on the same scale, as the next section shows. So the choice between them is mostly about format. This guide compares those two. PTE Core is not PTE Academic, and our IELTS vs PTE Academic guide covers the Academic test only.

Other programmes have their own language rules. Check IRCC's page for yours. The visa score requirements tool lists the minimums for several Canadian programmes. For Express Entry you need General Training, and Academic or General Training explains how the two IELTS tests differ.

TOEFL and the Duolingo English Test are not on IRCC's list of Express Entry tests. For study abroad, read IELTS vs TOEFL or IELTS vs the Duolingo English Test.

How IRCC reads the two scores

IRCC measures English ability on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) scale. In its Express Entry table, a CELPIP level is the same number as the CLB level. CELPIP level 7 is CLB 7, level 8 is CLB 8 and level 9 is CLB 9, in all four skills source: IRCC.

IELTS General Training uses a different chart for each skill. For example, CLB 9 needs 8.0 in Listening and 7.0 in Reading, Writing and Speaking source: IRCC.

The IELTS to CLB calculator shows IRCC's full IELTS chart. It turns your four bands into four CLB levels.

This guide does not turn a CELPIP score into an IELTS band. The two tests meet at the CLB level, and IRCC's chart is the comparison that counts for Canadian immigration.

Paragon Testing Enterprises administers CELPIP. Prometric Canada bought Paragon in 2021 source: Paragon Testing Enterprises.

Prometric and the IELTS Partners ran a joint study of the two tests. The Partners are the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge University Press & Assessment source: CELPIP.

The study sets the scores of the two tests side by side in tables. Use them with caution, and not on their own source: ielts.org.

How the tests differ

The biggest differences are how you speak and who marks the test.

source: ielts.org source: ielts.org source: ielts.org source: ielts.org source: ielts.org source: ielts.org source: CELPIP source: CELPIP source: CELPIP source: Paragon Testing Enterprises

CELPIP is computer-delivered, with a personal timer, a word counter and spell-check source: CELPIP. For IELTS, see computer or paper IELTS. IELTS test format and timing covers when the Speaking test is held.

CELPIP raters are trained to apply standard scoring rubrics source: CELPIP. IELTS examiners are trained and certificated source: ielts.org source: ielts.org. In both tests, people score Writing and Speaking.

Choosing between them

Your programme decides first. If it names one test, book that one. If it accepts both, pick on how you like to test:

• IELTS Speaking is a face-to-face interview source: ielts.org. Choose it if you would rather talk to a person.
• CELPIP has no separate speaking session source: CELPIP. Choose it if you would rather speak to a screen and finish in one sitting.
• IELTS Listening uses British, Australian, New Zealand and North American accents source: ielts.org. Choose it if you want a mix of accents.
• CELPIP uses a single North American accent source: Paragon Testing Enterprises. Choose it if you want one accent.

Where CELPIP's figures disagree

Three details differ on CELPIP's own pages.

• Scores arrive in 3 to 4 business days after the test source: CELPIP. Scores arrive in 2 to 4 business days source: CELPIP. The two pages differ by a day.
• Scores are valid for two years from the date of the score report source: CELPIP. Scores are valid for five years from that date source: CELPIP. The two pages differ by three years.
• The test takes under 2 hours 50 minutes, and the total is under 3 hours source: CELPIP. The sections take 46 to 55 minutes for Listening, 43 to 56 for Reading, 53 for Writing and 15 for Speaking source: CELPIP. At their longest, those add up to 2 hours 59 minutes. That is longer than 2 hours 50 minutes.

For Express Entry, IRCC's two-year rule is the one that counts. Check the dates on your own score report before you apply.

The CELPIP facts come from the CELPIP overview, test format and scoring and results pages, from Paragon Testing Enterprises and from CELPIP's joint study page and 2025 comparison post. The comparison post is dated 3 August 2025. The other CELPIP pages show no date. The programme rules and charts come from IRCC's Express Entry language test page and Express Entry page. The IELTS facts come from the ielts.org pages linked above. All were last checked on 15 October 2026. Check them again close to your booking date.

Frequently asked questions

Which test is accepted for Express Entry, CELPIP or IELTS?

Both. IRCC accepts CELPIP-General and the IELTS General Training test source: IRCC.

Is CELPIP easier than IELTS?

Neither test can be labelled easy or difficult. The level depends on your strengths and preferences source: CELPIP.

Can I convert my CELPIP score to an IELTS band?

Not with a figure from us. IRCC maps both tests to CLB levels, and that is the comparison for Canadian immigration. Use the IELTS to CLB calculator for the IELTS side.