CELPIP Reading and Listening: parts, timing and raw scores

Reading and listening are scored by computer from multiple-choice answers. Each test has 38 scored questions plus some unscored questions used for test development, which you cannot tell apart.

Listening: 6 parts, about 46–55 minutes

Part	Questions
1. Listening to Problem Solving	8
2. Listening to a Daily Life Conversation	5
3. Listening for Information	6
4. Listening to a News Item	5
5. Listening to a Discussion	8
6. Listening to Viewpoints	6

Each recording plays once, and the questions follow it.

Reading: 4 parts, about 43–56 minutes

Part	Questions
1. Reading Correspondence	11
2. Reading to Apply a Diagram	8
3. Reading for Information	9
4. Reading for Viewpoints	10

From a practice raw score to a CELPIP level

Paragon publishes approximate charts for converting correct answers out of 38 into a CELPIP level. The ranges overlap because test forms are equated, so a raw score near a boundary can mean either level.

CELPIP level	Listening (correct of 38)	Reading (correct of 38)
10–12	35–38	33–38
9	33–35	31–33
8	30–33	28–31
7	27–31	24–28
6	22–28	19–25
5	17–23	15–20
4	11–18	10–16

For CLB 9 you need CELPIP 9: roughly 33 or more in listening and 31 or more in reading on a practice test, with a few points of margin for a harder form. CELPIP levels 4–12 equal CLB 4–12 for immigration.

How to use practice tests well

Take them under real timing, in one sitting, without pausing the audio.
Log each result; several results tell you more than one, because individual forms vary.
Review every wrong answer: was it vocabulary, a paraphrase you missed, or running out of time?

Log a practice test and see your CLB rangeStart a free daily plan →

Sources

Official sources checked on 2026-10-01. If an official source changes, it takes precedence.