How to pass the CELPIP Test?

This post is for folks planning to take the CELPIP General Test in the upcoming days. I have tried to put together a list of tips and strategies to maximize your chances of achieving a high score on your test. Therefore let’s quickly get into the main content of this post.

The Only Guide You Need to Pass the CELPIP Test

The techniques listed below are likely to come in handy as you read the passages and answer the questions on the Reading Test.

Skimming and scanning

Skimming is the technique of reading only the main points of a paragraph to acquire a general sense of the content of a reading selection.

Whereas, scanning is the strategy of quickly looking through reading material to locate a specific piece of information.

Identifying important correspondence details

Emails make up a large portion of the CELPIP reading materials hence it comes in handy to know who wrote the email and who received it, as well as the writer’s main reason for writing and whether she asks the recipient for something.

Identifying a diagram or visual’s format and purpose

A visual, such as a brochure or flyer, will be included in Part 2 of the Reading Test. It’s useful to figure out who created it, how the material is arranged, and how the text and images are linked.

Themes in the text and paragraphs

It will be easier to identify the overall topic of the reading and the topic or key idea of each paragraph for informational materials, such as the readings in Parts 3 and 4. This will make it easier for you to concentrate on the part of the text that includes the solutions to each question.

Identifying points of view

It will be useful in Part 4 to identify each of the primary points made in the text. Whose opinion is it, and what evidence or extra information is provided? What is the commenter’s point of view, and how does he or she back it up? What are the similarities and differences between the various viewpoints?

Using context to deduce meaning 

You’ll probably come across words you’ve never heard of before as you work your way through the Reading Test. Expanding your vocabulary is an essential part of improving your English skills, and that is something you should work on during your CELPIP preparation. Since you won’t be able to look up a new word on the test, being able to figure out what it means by considering the surrounding text is a valuable skill. Even though you don’t know the specific meaning, recognizing what part of speech it is (noun, verb, etc.) and whether it has a positive or negative meaning might help you make conclusions and explore answer options when reading the text.

Detecting the tone

The tone of writing expresses the writer’s attitude or emotional state. For example, is it formal or informal? Is it professional or personal? Is it complimentary or critical? Or is it demanding something or suggesting it? Is the writer for or against a particular idea? Although it isn’t often stated clearly, it can be inferred from the text’s word choices and thoughts. The information you gained about the different types of reading and formality levels in each section of the Reading Test will help you figure out the tone of each one you encounter.

Understanding and identifying paraphrase

The term “paraphrasing” refers to the method of conveying the same idea in different terms. For instance, the phrases “as soon as possible” and “at your earliest convenience” both express the same meaning but in a different language.
Never expect the correct answer choice, or any other answer choice, to be written in the same words as the text. Throughout the reading test, you will come across words and phrases in the question and answer choices that paraphrase something said in the text.

Example:

• Fortunately, the driver noticed me rushing to the bus, opened the doors again, and waited for me to board.
• I almost missed my bus.

Even though the sentences are quite different and the first version has more details, both sentences convey the same meaning.

Keyword detection in questions

A keyword is a term or a short phrase in a question that can be used to rapidly identify the section of the text where the answer can be found. Although paraphrasing is common on the test, some words and sentences are impossible to paraphrase. Unparsed words are often the keywords to identify in a question and then hunt for in the text. Proper nouns (capitalized names of people, places, and things), specialized terminology, and text in quote marks are all examples of this.

It is a good idea to familiarise yourself with each task type.

Work on creating a strategy for each type of task.
Also, remember that the Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking tests will take place on the same day. Keeping the above in mind, you should practice for the test in a real-world setting.

CELPIP Strategies for Success

Here are some pointers to help you prepare for the CELPIP Exam:

Use a computer to practice.

Because the CELPIP Test is entirely computer-based, make sure you’re comfortable using a mouse and keyboard. Using CELPIP’s free online sample test and free online practice test to familiarise yourself with the format is a good idea.

Keep in mind that CELPIP is a general English proficiency test.

CELPIP evaluates your ability to communicate effectively in English in everyday scenarios. It is not a test of academic or business English. One of the best methods to prepare is by simply getting out and using English as much as possible in your daily life.

Make extensive use of diverse vocabulary and grammatical structures. 

 Try to demonstrate the range of your vocabulary in your writing and speech. Repeating the same words is not a good idea. You don’t need to memorize the dictionary; simply utilize words that you would naturally use in everyday situations. Remember to mix up your grammatical structures and create phrases of varying lengths and complexity.

Keep track of your time.

The CELPIP Test is entirely computer-based, with a timer on each screen indicating how much time you have remaining in each segment. Keeping an eye on these timers can assist you in determining how to pace yourself throughout the exam.

Double-check your work.

 If you have any time left over after finishing the reading, listening, or writing sections of the test, go over your answers and make sure you’ve done your best to answer all of the questions. Spend a few minutes examining your work, making sure there are no errors that could detract from the clarity of your response.

Speak clearly and in a relaxed manner.

Speak clearly into the microphone, which should be held close to but not touching your lips. When you’re nervous, it’s natural to talk fast; try to slow down and speak at a natural pace.

Don’t be concerned about your accent.

The raters have the training to ignore accents. Don’t worry about your accent unless it prevents you from being understood. Instead, focus on using proper syntax, a wide range of vocabulary, and offering thorough responses.

Take notes.

You will be provided with a notepaper and a pen while taking the CELPIP Test. These can be used to take notes at any time during the test, but they’re especially beneficial for outlining ideas for your speaking or writing responses. Taking notes on main ideas and specific details during the listening test is also a good idea.

Concentrate on what you already know.

In the reading or listening sections, you can come across some challenging words. Don’t get bogged down by words you don’t understand. Concentrate on the passage’s overall meaning and the bits you already understand. It’s sometimes possible to deduce the interpretation of a new word by looking at the ones around it.

Make use of a range of reading techniques. 

To answer questions on the reading test correctly, you don’t have to read every word in a passage; instead, employ reading tactics like skimming and scanning. These may assist you with some of the easier questions, allowing you to devote more time to the more challenging ones.

To summarise, you should practice as often as possible and try to apply the techniques mentioned above whenever possible. You will only be able to obtain your targeted CELPIP score if you practice all four sections daily.

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With this, we have come to the end of this article. I hope you will find this helpful and put the above strategies to use. Let me know in the comments below which of the above techniques were most useful to you.

All the best for your upcoming test. I hope you rock the exam 🙂