CELPIP Speaking: the 8 tasks and how to ace them
The CELPIP Speaking test has eight recorded tasks in about 15–20 minutes. There is no examiner — you speak into a microphone after a short prep time. That format rewards quick planning and steady delivery. Here are all eight tasks, the scoring criteria, and the strategies that keep you fluent under the clock.
The eight CELPIP Speaking tasks
Advise someone facing a problem or decision.
Describe a personal experience in detail.
Describe what is happening in an illustrated picture.
Predict what will happen next in the same scene.
Compare two options and persuade someone of your choice.
Choose and explain how you would handle an awkward situation.
State and support an opinion on an issue.
Describe an unusual image to someone who cannot see it.
How CELPIP Speaking is scored
Responses are rated on Content & Coherence, Vocabulary, Listenability and Task Fulfilment, then mapped to a CELPIP/CLB level. Raters want a clear, well-organised answer delivered at a natural pace — not a perfect accent. Fluency and staying on task beat big words used incorrectly, so aim for clarity first and range second.
Using prep and response time
Most tasks give a short preparation window (often 30–60 seconds) and a fixed speaking time. Use prep to jot a quick structure — opening, two points, a closing line — rather than scripting full sentences. Start speaking immediately when recording begins, keep an eye on the timer, and aim to fill most of the response time without rushing. Trailing off early leaves points on the table.
Avoiding awkward pauses
Silence hurts your Listenability score. When you need a moment, use natural fillers and connectors — 'Well, the way I see it…', 'On top of that…', 'What I'd suggest is…' — to keep talking while you think. Practising these phrases until they are automatic, and pacing drills against a timer, are the fastest ways to sound confident and steady.
Free CELPIP Speaking lessons
Go deeper with our free, in-depth speaking lessons — each with strategies and CLB-level sample answers:
A map of all 8 Speaking tasks, how much prep and speaking time each gives you, and how to beat the timer that trips up so many test-takers.
Task 1 gives you 30s to prep and 90s to speak. Learn a reliable structure and hear how CLB 7, 9 and 11 answers actually sound.
Tell a clear, vivid story from your life in 60 seconds. Learn a simple story structure and hear CLB 7, 9 and 11 answers.
You get a picture and must describe it so a listener can picture it too. Learn to organize by location and hear CLB 7, 9 and 11 answers.
The follow-up to the picture: predict what happens next. Learn the future grammar that scores, with CLB 7, 9 and 11 answers.
You get extra prep time to choose between two options and persuade someone. Learn the compare-then-persuade structure with CLB 7, 9 and 11 answers.
A tricky real-life dilemma with two imperfect choices. Learn to explain your decision tactfully, with CLB 7, 9 and 11 answers.
One of two 90-second tasks: state an opinion and defend it. Learn the opinion-reasons-conclusion structure with CLB 7, 9 and 11 answers.
Describe a strange or unfamiliar picture to someone who cannot see it — clearly enough that they could identify it. CLB 7, 9 and 11 answers included.
Learn natural phrases and stalling techniques that keep your CELPIP speaking flowing during the short prep and 60-90 second response windows—without resorting to dead silence or distracting 'um's.
Master the tight prep and speaking windows in CELPIP Speaking with practical pacing drills that help you start fast, develop ideas, and finish strong before the timer cuts you off.
Know your target score
CELPIP Speaking is reported as a level from 3 to 12, which equals your CLB. See how scores convert on the CELPIP score chart, or set a goal with the CLB calculator. New to the test? Start with the full CELPIP test format.
Other CELPIP skills
Frequently asked questions
How many tasks are in CELPIP Speaking?
Eight, completed in about 15–20 minutes, each with a short prep time and a fixed speaking time. There is no live examiner; you record your answers.
How is CELPIP Speaking scored?
On Content & Coherence, Vocabulary, Listenability and Task Fulfilment, combined into a CELPIP/CLB level from 3 to 12.
Does my accent matter in CELPIP Speaking?
No. Raters score clarity, organisation and natural pace — not a particular accent. A clear, well-structured answer scores higher than fancy vocabulary used incorrectly.
How do I avoid pauses in CELPIP Speaking?
Use natural fillers and connectors to keep talking while you think, and practise pacing against a timer so you fill the response time smoothly.
Practise CELPIP Speaking for free
Exam-style speaking questions with instant feedback and a personalised path to your target CLB.
Start practising free →