CELPIP vs Duolingo English Test: Which One Does Canada Accept?
By Megan · Scores and immigration · Published · 5 min read
The Duolingo English Test is popular because it is taken at home, it is short and it costs less than most English tests. That makes it tempting for anyone planning a move to Canada. The catch is that Canada's immigration department does not accept it. This post explains where each test is accepted, why the difference matters and how to avoid paying for a test that cannot be used. Acceptance lists change, so check the IRCC website and your school or organisation before you book anything.
Does IRCC accept the Duolingo English Test?
No. IRCC does not accept the Duolingo English Test for permanent residence, Express Entry or citizenship. For English, the tests IRCC accepts for these applications are CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core.
This catches people out because many Canadian colleges and universities do accept Duolingo for admission. A score that gets you into a program is a decision by the school; it does not carry over to an immigration application, which follows IRCC's own list.
Where is each test accepted?
CELPIP-General is built around Canadian immigration and is accepted by IRCC. Duolingo is mainly used for study admissions. Always check the specific organisation, because acceptance is decided by each one and can change.
| Purpose | CELPIP-General | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|
| Express Entry and other PR programs | Accepted by IRCC | Not accepted by IRCC |
| Canadian citizenship | Accepted (CELPIP-General LS is the usual choice) | Not accepted by IRCC |
| Post-graduation work permit language requirement | Accepted by IRCC | Not accepted by IRCC |
| College or university admission | Accepted by some schools | Accepted by many schools |
| Professional regulators and employers | Check with the organisation | Check with the organisation |
How do the two tests differ?
Duolingo is a shorter, adaptive test taken at home on your own computer, with many brief question types. CELPIP-General is a fixed-format, roughly three-hour test taken on a computer at a test centre, with four separate sections built around everyday Canadian situations.
| CELPIP-General | Duolingo English Test | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you take it | At a test centre (for IRCC purposes) | At home, online |
| Format | Four sections with fixed parts and tasks | Adaptive, with many short tasks |
| Score | Level M or 3–12 per skill, the same as CLB | Its own overall scale with subscores |
| Content | Canadian everyday, work and community situations | General and academic English |
| Main use | Canadian immigration and citizenship | Study admissions |
Fees for both tests differ by country and change. For CELPIP, check the current fee in your country on the official CELPIP website when you book.
Can I convert a Duolingo score to CLB?
Not for IRCC. IRCC publishes CLB equivalency charts only for the tests it accepts, and Duolingo is not one of them. Any chart that turns a Duolingo score into a CLB level is unofficial and cannot be used in an immigration application.
A Duolingo score can still give you a rough sense of your general English. If you score well on it, that is a good sign, but CELPIP has its own task types and timing, and people often score differently on a format they have not practised.
I am studying in Canada with a Duolingo score. Do I need CELPIP later?
Very likely, if you plan to stay. The PGWP has a language requirement for most applications, and Express Entry needs an IRCC-accepted test, so you will need CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training or PTE Core at that point.
Plan the timing. IRCC accepts results for two years from the test date, so a test taken in your final term can often serve the PGWP and, if it stays valid, an Express Entry profile soon after. Check the validity rules for each application before relying on one result for both.
Is CELPIP harder than Duolingo?
Many people find CELPIP more demanding, mainly because it is longer and because Writing and Speaking ask for complete, organised responses that are rated on several dimensions. The difficulty is in the format and the stamina as much as the English.
- Writing: two tasks, an email and a survey response, each about 150–200 words with a time limit.
- Speaking: eight recorded tasks with short preparation time, rated on content, vocabulary, listenability and task fulfillment.
- Listening: six parts, each recording heard once, including a longer discussion and a viewpoints section.
- Reading: four parts, including a diagram task and a viewpoints passage.
What if I need an IRCC result soon and only have a Duolingo score?
Book an IRCC-accepted test as early as you realistically can, and work out the timeline backwards from your application deadline. A Duolingo score cannot be submitted instead, and IRCC will not accept a promise to send a result later for programs that require one at the time you apply.
- Check test dates at the centres near you first; popular cities can be booked up several weeks ahead.
- Allow time for results, which usually arrive within about a week, often sooner.
- Leave room for a retake if one skill falls short of the level you need.
- If your deadline is very tight, compare available dates for CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core; any of them works if you reach the level.
Rescheduling and cancellation have deadlines and fees, and a late cancellation usually gets no refund. Read the current terms on the official CELPIP website before choosing a date you might have to move.
How do I move from Duolingo to CELPIP preparation?
Start by measuring your level on the CELPIP format, then spend most of your time on the sections that are new to you, usually Writing and Speaking.
- Take the free CELPass diagnostic or a free official CELPIP practice test to get a level per skill.
- Learn the structure of each Writing task and each Speaking task.
- Practise Speaking with a timer and a recording, because the preparation and speaking times are short.
- Do at least one full mock test to build stamina for the three-hour sitting.
- Book when timed practice puts every skill at your target.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Duolingo for a Canadian study permit?
That depends on the school and the program, not on CELPIP. Check the admission requirements of your school and IRCC's current study permit instructions.
Is CELPIP accepted outside Canada?
CELPIP is designed for Canada. Australia's Department of Home Affairs also accepts it for some visas; for other countries and organisations, check directly.
Keep reading
CELPass is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with Paragon Testing Enterprises. CELPIP is a trademark of Paragon Testing Enterprises. Check the official CELPIP website and IRCC for current test rules and requirements.