IELTS General Training Reading vs. CELPIP Reading: Which One is Right for You?
When it comes to difficulty, the IELTS General Training Reading and CELPIP Reading tests are fairly similar. Both assess your ability to find information quickly, understand detail, and make inferences. Your choice may come down to which question types and text styles you find most comfortable rather than one being significantly “easier” than the other.
One thing to remember: paraphrasing is essential in both exams. The questions almost never repeat the exact wording from the text, so you must recognise meaning even when the words are different.
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the main differences.
1. Format and Timing
- IELTS General Training Reading:
- 60 minutes total; you manage your own time across the whole test.
- Paper-based or computer-based format.
- Traditionally divided into 3 sections of increasing difficulty, though the computer-based version presents tasks grouped by question type rather than clearly labeled “Section 1/2/3.”
- 60 minutes total; you manage your own time across the whole test.
- CELPIP Reading:
- Around 55–60 minutes in total, with each section individually timed.
- Fully computer-based.
- 4 parts; once you finish a part, you cannot go back.
- Around 55–60 minutes in total, with each section individually timed.
2. Content and Context
- IELTS General Training Reading:
- Mix of informal, semi-formal, and formal texts.
- Topics range from everyday notices to work documents and magazine articles.
- International English with a global focus.
- Mix of informal, semi-formal, and formal texts.
- CELPIP Reading:
- Mostly semi-formal to formal, with some informal formats like online forum posts.
- Texts are often presented in practical, real-life formats such as letters, emails, notices, or memos.
- Canadian spelling, vocabulary, and cultural context.
- Mostly semi-formal to formal, with some informal formats like online forum posts.
3. Question Types
- IELTS General Training Reading:
IELTS has a wider variety of question types than CELPIP, so you need to be comfortable switching between different formats. Common types include:- Multiple Choice
- True/False/Not Given and Yes/No/Not Given
- Matching Headings
- Matching Information to Paragraphs
- Matching Features (e.g., people to statements)
- Matching Sentence Endings
- Sentence Completion
- Summary/Note/Table/Flow-chart Completion (often with word limits)
- Diagram or Map Labelling
- Short Answer Questions
- Multiple Choice
- CELPIP Reading:
Fewer question formats — most are multiple-choice in some form:- Multiple Choice – Choose One Answer
- Identify the Paragraph Containing Specific Information (especially in Part 3)
- All questions are framed within practical text formats like letters, emails, memos, web pages, or online posts.
- Multiple Choice – Choose One Answer
4. Navigation and Test-Taking Strategy
- IELTS General Training Reading:
- You can move freely between all questions in the paper or computer version.
- Time management is entirely your responsibility.
- You can move freely between all questions in the paper or computer version.
- CELPIP Reading:
- You cannot return to a section once it’s submitted.
- Built-in time limits for each part.
- You cannot return to a section once it’s submitted.
5. Scoring
- IELTS: Band scores from 0–9; reading score based on raw marks converted to a band.
- CELPIP: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels from 1–12; computer-scored.
Bottom line: If you like variety and flexibility with timing, and you’re comfortable with a wider range of question types, IELTS GT Reading may suit you better. If you prefer a fully digital test with practical, real-life text formats and a smaller range of question styles, CELPIP Reading could be a better match. In both cases, paraphrasing skills are essential for success.
