CELPIP · Writing

CELPIP Writing Test: Email and Survey Tasks

The CELPIP Writing test is the third section of CELPIP-General. It has two tasks: writing an email (27 minutes) and responding to survey questions (26 minutes), each about 150 to 200 words. Raters judge content and coherence, vocabulary, readability and task fulfillment, and your result is a Writing level from 1 to 12.

Tasks: 2: an email and a survey response
Time: 53 minutes: 27 for Task 1, 26 for Task 2
Length: About 150 to 200 words per task
Rating areas: Content/coherence, vocabulary, readability, task fulfillment
Scoring: CELPIP level 1 to 12 for Writing

How CELPIP Writing works

Writing comes after Reading. Task 1 gives you an everyday situation and a list of points to cover in an email to a specific person, such as a manager, a landlord or a friend. Task 2 describes a situation with two options; you choose one and explain your reasons in a survey response.

You type your answers on screen, with a word counter to help you stay near the 150 to 200 word target. Each task has its own timer, and unused time on Task 1 does not move to Task 2.

Responses are rated on four areas: content and coherence, vocabulary, readability, and task fulfillment. The two tasks together give your Writing score on the CELPIP level scale from 1 to 12, aligned with CLB levels.

CELPIP Writing tasks

Tips that work

Spend two or three minutes planning each task before you type.
Cover every point the prompt asks for. Task fulfillment is one of the four rating areas.
Match your tone to the reader in Task 1, and take one clear side in Task 2.
Keep a few minutes at the end of each task to check spelling, missing words and tense.

Questions candidates ask

How long do I have for CELPIP Writing?

53 minutes in total: 27 minutes for the email and 26 minutes for the survey response. The tasks are timed separately, so you cannot borrow time from one for the other.

What is the word limit for CELPIP Writing tasks?

Both tasks ask for about 150 to 200 words. Aim to stay within that range: much shorter responses leave points undeveloped, and much longer ones leave less time to check your work.

How is CELPIP Writing scored?

Raters look at content and coherence, vocabulary, readability, and task fulfillment. Your two responses together produce one Writing level from 1 to 12, which corresponds to a CLB level.

Can I get feedback on my practice writing?

Yes. EnglishHub gives AI feedback on both CELPIP writing tasks, organized around the same four rating areas, so you can see what to improve before test day.

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