WHAT IS BETTER...IELTS OR CELPIP?

[F1SHA]

Hello,

I'm wondering what English Language test is better, either IELTS or CELPIP? What one looks better for my application? They are both roughly the same amount and I can get into both roughly around the same time. I just want it to look good on my application.

Thank you!

 

[valar morghulis]

Hello,

I'm wondering what English Language test is better, either IELTS or CELPIP? What one looks better for my application? They are both roughly the same amount and I can get into both roughly around the same time. I just want it to look good on my application.

Thank you!

No one cares which exam you attempt. I was under the same situation when I had to attempt my english proficiency exam, but honestly both are the same. CIC will consider both of the exam results equally. There is nothing like, preference will be given to candidates who attempt CELPIP. IELTS has been around for a while and it's globally accepted. There is more information available to prepare for IELTS. So my suggestion is to go with IELTS.

I was having bit difficulty preparing for IELTS listening (after living in Canada for about three years, and getting used to Canadian accent) because of the British accent. But you'll fine, just listen to the BBC podcasts for a few days, and watch some shows (I liked "The IT Crowd" ).

Don't have double thoughts. Just relax and go with IELTS, and you'll shine. Good Luck!

 

[F1SHA]

Great, thanks for the update. I'll book in my test now. I think I might just see what one I can get into sooner...the waiting times are crazy.

 

[jfalvitez]

Hi I took both IELTS in 2011 and CELPIP on 2015 for the Express Entry, I am living in Canada as an internationa Student with PGWP and I can tell you pros and cons.

IELTS: PROS.
- Easy to find material to practice (internet, books, videos, tests)
- If you are familiarized with paper exam is better.
- You control your time, the give you 30, 40 or more minutes and you can distribute your time by your own.
- You can erase your answer if you made a mistake and you have enough time
- Its valid not only in Canada, but also in USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, etc.
IELTS. CONS.
- If you learn american english or you live in Canada is difficult the accent sometimes, IELTS uses british accent, differente kinds of accents and even australian accent. (for me is the worst).
- You will be watched for 3 teachers during the test, and walking around through the applicants
- The test takes at least 3 hours.
- Sometime you take the reading, writing and listening one day and you have to go back for the speaking test.
- The speaking test is with a real person ( a british teacher usually) alone in a small room with camcorders and audio recorders ( a little bit stressful).
- The results takes a long time to be delivered around 1 month.

CELPIP PROS.
- You manage your time, so you can do it in less than 3 hours.
- The exam is entirily in a computer (for me is easy and relaxed)
- No more than 2 teacher watching you and in a long distance .
- The accent is neutral (no british or australian accents)
- The software is easy
- The questions are shorter than IELTS questions
- A little bit cheaper than IELTS ( at least here in Canada)
- The result are deliverede soon in two weeks or less since you take the exam.

CELPIP CONS
- A few free material to practice
- Sometimes during the test the time is not enough to answer and that can give you an extra stress (30 seconds or less for answer and the the sysytem ready or not will pass to the next question).
- The reading and writing sections are no son long as IELTS.
- The speaking section are short answers buy many of them, and a few time to prepare.
- Its only valid in Canada.

In my personal opinion if you are living in Canada go for the CELPIP, for me was less stressful than IELTS, however i feel more confortable on listening with the IELTS.

 

[katja2684]

IELTS. CONS.
- If you learn american english or you live in Canada is difficult the accent sometimes, IELTS uses british accent, differente kinds of accents and even australian accent. (for me is the worst).
- You will be watched for 3 teachers during the test, and walking around through the applicants
- The test takes at least 3 hours.
- Sometime you take the reading, writing and listening one day and you have to go back for the speaking test.
- The speaking test is with a real person ( a british teacher usually) alone in a small room with camcorders and audio recorders ( a little bit stressful).
- The results takes a long time to be delivered around 1 month.

I took IELTS in November 2014 and the results were available in 2 weeks.
The speaking test went well,I had no trouble understanding what the examiner was asking me, the questions were simple. The whole speaking test amounted to 10 minutes and I didn't consider it stressful.
Yes the 4 parts of the exam were cluttered into 1 day, luckily I was among the first candidates that took the speaking test after lunchbreak and by 2 PM I was finished.
I spent a couple of hours studying from the free materials I could find online, for 2 or 3 days. The time you need to spend on studying depends on how advanced your English is.

 

[big fish]

I chose CELPIP since I am used to Canadian pronunciation and it is specifically developed with Canadian speakers. Did not have to worry about mishearing any tricky British accent. I found it easy to comprehend and follow, got my marks (they were good) in less than 2 weeks.

 

[nick.rwth]

I chose CELPIP since I am used to Canadian pronunciation and it is specifically developed with Canadian speakers. Did not have to worry about mishearing any tricky British accent. I found it easy to comprehend and follow, got my marks (they were good) in less than 2 weeks.

I made same choice, but only because CELPIP was few bucks cheaper.

If you want cheaper test choose celpip