The complete CELPIP Speaking guide (all 8 tasks, timing, scoring)

The CELPIP Speaking section is the shortest part of the test, but it makes many test-takers the most nervous. You speak into a microphone, your audio is recorded once, and there are no re-dos. This guide walks through all 8 scored tasks, the exact timing for each, how the 4 scoring criteria work, and a practical way to prepare. Use it as your home base and follow the links to detailed guides for the tasks you want to drill.

CELPIP Speaking is computer-delivered: you read or hear a prompt, get a short preparation window, then record your answer while a timer counts down. When time runs out, recording stops automatically. The whole section takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes.

The 8 tasks at a glance (with timing)

There are 8 scored tasks. Before Task 1 you also get one unscored practice task to warm up and check your microphone — it does not count toward your score, so use it to settle your nerves. Here is every scored task with its preparation time and speaking time:

1. Task 1 — Giving Advice: 30 seconds prep, 90 seconds speaking. You advise a person about a situation described in the prompt.
2. Task 2 — Talking about a Personal Experience: 30 seconds prep, 60 seconds speaking. You describe a past experience of your own.
3. Task 3 — Describing a Scene: 30 seconds prep, 60 seconds speaking. You describe what is happening in an image.
4. Task 4 — Making Predictions: 30 seconds prep, 60 seconds speaking. You predict what will happen next, usually in the same scene as Task 3.
5. Task 5 — Comparing and Persuading: 60 seconds prep, 60 seconds speaking. You choose between options shown as images and persuade someone of your choice.
6. Task 6 — Dealing with a Difficult Situation: 60 seconds prep, 60 seconds speaking. You handle an awkward situation, often choosing between two imperfect options.
7. Task 7 — Expressing Opinions: 30 seconds prep, 90 seconds speaking. You state and defend an opinion on an issue.
8. Task 8 — Describing an Unusual Situation: 30 seconds prep, 60 seconds speaking. You describe an unusual or surprising image to someone who cannot see it.

Notice the pattern: most tasks give you 30 seconds to prepare, but Tasks 5 and 6 give you a full 60 seconds because they require more planning — you have to weigh options before you commit. The two longest speaking windows (90 seconds) are Task 1 and Task 7, where you have room to develop a fuller argument.

Task 1 — Giving Advice

You are given a scenario where someone needs help, and you offer clear, practical advice. Tests your ability to structure a recommendation and justify it. Timing: 30 seconds prep, 90 seconds speaking. See the detailed walkthrough in our Task 1 giving-advice guide.

Task 2 — Talking about a Personal Experience

You describe something that happened to you — a memorable event, a challenge, a decision. Tests narrative structure, past-tense control, and natural detail. Timing: 30 seconds prep, 60 seconds speaking.

Task 3 — Describing a Scene

You see an image and describe what is happening in it as fully as possible. Tests descriptive vocabulary, spatial language, and organization. Timing: 30 seconds prep, 60 seconds speaking.

Task 4 — Making Predictions

Building on the image (often the same scene as Task 3), you predict what will happen next. Tests future forms and logical reasoning from visual cues. Timing: 30 seconds prep, 60 seconds speaking.

Task 5 — Comparing and Persuading

You are shown options (as images with details) and must pick one, then persuade a specific listener that your choice is best. Tests comparison language and persuasion. This is one of the two tasks with a full 60-second prep. Timing: 60 seconds prep, 60 seconds speaking. See our detailed Task 5 comparing-and-persuading guide.

Task 6 — Dealing with a Difficult Situation

You are placed in an awkward real-life situation — often a choice between two options that both upset someone — and you have to respond diplomatically. Tests tone, tact, and problem-solving. Timing: 60 seconds prep, 60 seconds speaking.

Task 7 — Expressing Opinions

You are given an issue and asked to state your opinion and support it with reasons. Tests argumentation, cohesion, and the ability to fill 90 seconds without rambling. Timing: 30 seconds prep, 90 seconds speaking.

Task 8 — Describing an Unusual Situation

You describe an unusual or surprising image to someone who cannot see it, so precision matters. Tests detailed description and clarity. Timing: 30 seconds prep, 60 seconds speaking. See our detailed Task 8 guide with worked examples.

How CELPIP Speaking is scored

Each response is rated by trained human raters, not just a machine, across four criteria. Your section score is reported on the CELPIP 1–12 scale, which maps directly to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level. The four criteria are:

• Content / Coherence — Did you fully address the prompt with relevant, well-organized ideas that connect logically?
• Vocabulary — Do you use a precise, varied range of words appropriate to the task, rather than repeating basic ones?
• Listenability — How easy are you to follow? This covers pronunciation, pacing, intonation, and grammar working together so a listener understands without effort.
• Task Fulfillment — Did you actually do what the task asked (give advice, persuade, predict, describe) and do it completely within the time?

A key takeaway: Listenability is about being understood, not about sounding like a native speaker. An accent is fine. Long silences, rushing, and grammar that forces the listener to re-parse your sentences are what cost points.

The clock keeps running whether you speak or not. Filling the time with relevant, organized content beats delivering two perfect sentences and then going silent.

How to prepare efficiently

You have limited time, so spend it on the things that actually move your score. In order of impact:

1. Practice under the real clock. The single biggest surprise on test day is how little time 30 or 60 seconds of prep feels like. Rehearse with a timer so the countdown stops rattling you.
2. Build a lightweight structure for each task type. For example, advice tasks work well as: acknowledge the situation, give the recommendation, add one or two reasons, close. Having a skeleton means you never freeze.
3. Record yourself and listen back. You cannot fix Listenability you have not heard. Note where you pause, repeat words, or trail off, then re-record.
4. Learn to keep going after a mistake. There are no re-dos, so a stumble is normal — raters expect it. Self-correct briefly and move on rather than restarting.
5. Fill the whole time window. Aim to still be making a relevant point when the timer ends, not finishing 20 seconds early.
6. Drill the harder tasks more. Tasks 5 and 6 require decisions under pressure and trip people up most; extra reps there pay off.

You do not need to memorize scripts — raters can tell, and a memorized answer that does not fit the prompt hurts Task Fulfillment. Memorize structures and transition phrases instead, then fill them with fresh content each time.