IRCC accepts both CELPIP General and IELTS General Training for Express Entry. Both are converted to CLB levels, so the points are the same for the same CLB. The choice is about which test suits you.
1.The main differences
| CELPIP General | IELTS General Training | |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery | On a computer, in one sitting, under 3 hours | On paper or on a computer |
| Speaking | You record answers to 8 tasks on the computer | A face to face talk with an examiner, 11 to 14 minutes |
| Writing | An email and a survey answer, 150 to 200 words each | A letter of 150 words or more and an essay of 250 words or more |
| Score scale | Levels 1 to 12, the same as CLB from 4 to 12 | Bands 1 to 9, converted to CLB by IRCC |
Sources: celpip.ca (Test Format and Scoring) and ielts.org (General Training format), checked in October 2026. Check fees and dates on each official site before you book.
2.Who may prefer CELPIP
- You prefer to speak to a computer rather than a person.
- You want all four skills in one sitting.
3.Who may prefer IELTS General Training
- You may also need a test for another country: check which tests it accepts.
- You speak more naturally with a person than with a recording.
- You already know the IELTS format.
4.How to decide
Try both formats once and compare how you feel. The level you can reach matters more than the test name, because the CLB level is what gives the points. You can practise every CELPIP task here and see an estimated level for each skill: start with the free level check, then see what each level is worth in the CRS calculator.
This guide is general information, not immigration advice. Scores on PR Language Test are estimates, not official results.