CELPIP Listening Course · Lesson 1 of 9
How CELPIP Listening Works and Is Scored
By CELPass Editorial Team · 2 min read · Updated
CELPIP Listening is the first section of the test and takes about 47–55 minutes. Everything plays once, which shapes how you should listen.
The six parts
| Part | What you hear | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Problem solving: a conversation in three sections | 8 |
| 2 | A daily life conversation | 5 |
| 3 | Listening for information: an explanation or interview | 6 |
| 4 | A news item | 5 |
| 5 | A discussion between three people (video) | 8 |
| 6 | Viewpoints: a talk with different opinions | 6 |
What makes it different
- Each recording plays once.
- In most parts you see the questions only after the recording ends, so you cannot listen for specific answers.
- You can take notes on the paper provided.
- Questions are mostly multiple choice with four options.
Scoring
Your correct answers become a level from M to 12, matching the same CLB level. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so always choose something. Some questions may be unscored research items that you cannot identify.
Key points
- Six parts, 38 questions, recordings played once.
- You usually see questions only after listening, so notes matter.
- Never leave a question blank.
Exercise
Which part is it?
- Three colleagues on video discuss where to hold the company picnic.
- A radio report about a new recycling program in a town.
- Two people work through a mix-up with a hotel booking, in three sections.
Show answers
- Part 5
- Part 4
- Part 1
Practise with free questions
Free questions in the CELPIP format, with answers and no account needed. Try a few now, while the lesson is fresh.
- Listening Part 1 sample tests: Listening to Problem Solving30 free tests with answers
- Listening Part 2 sample tests: Listening to a Daily Life Conversation30 free tests with answers
- Listening Part 3 sample tests: Listening for Information30 free tests with answers
- Listening Part 4 sample tests: Listening to a News Item30 free tests with answers
- Listening Part 5 sample tests: Listening to a Discussion30 free tests with answers
- Listening Part 6 sample tests: Listening to Viewpoints25 free tests with answers
- Full-length Listening practice tests25 free tests · all parts, 38 questions, estimated CLB
All lessons in this course
- How CELPIP Listening Works and Is Scored
- Note-Taking When You Hear It Once
- Part 1: Listening to Problem Solving
- Part 2: Listening to a Daily Life Conversation
- Part 3: Listening for Information
- Part 4: Listening to a News Item
- Part 5: Listening to a Discussion
- Part 6: Listening to Viewpoints
- Distractors, Guessing and Test Day
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