CELPIP Speaking: how to use your preparation time

In the CELPIP Speaking test, you do not speak straight away. Before each response, the screen gives you a short time to prepare. Many students waste it by waiting without a plan, or by trying to write full sentences. Used well, those seconds help you start clearly, stay organised and keep speaking until the timer ends.

How the Speaking test is built

According to the official CELPIP website, the Speaking test lasts about 15 minutes and has eight tasks: giving advice, talking about a personal experience, describing a scene, making predictions, comparing and persuading, dealing with a difficult situation, expressing opinions, and describing an unusual situation. Each task has its own preparation time and speaking time, shown on the screen. In CELPIP's published materials, most tasks give about 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak, and a few give more, so look at the free official sample test for the exact times.

What to do in the preparation time

1. Decide your answer straight away. If you are asked for advice or an opinion, choose one position in the first few seconds. Do not spend the preparation time weighing both sides.
2. Pick two or three ideas, not sentences. Think of keywords, for example "gym, cost, time". You do not have time to write full sentences, and reading from your head makes you sound stiff.
3. Add one example. A short, real example (a friend, your job, a place you know) makes the answer sound natural and gives you something to say when you run out of ideas.
4. Plan your first sentence. Starting well calms you down. For advice: "I would suggest..." For a personal experience: "Last year I..." For a scene: "In this picture, I can see..."

A simple shape for most answers

• Answer: say what you think or what happened.
• Reason or detail: give your first idea.
• Second reason or detail: add another.
• Example or finish: close with a short example or a one-sentence conclusion.

Adapt the shape to the task. For advice, give your suggestion and your reasons. For a scene, describe what you see in a clear order, such as foreground to background. For a prediction, say what will probably happen and why.

While you are speaking

• Keep going. If you make a mistake, correct it quickly and continue. Stopping costs you time.
• Use the time well. Answer every part of the task and develop your ideas. If your answer feels thin, add relevant detail or one more example, and finish cleanly once the task is complete.
• Speak naturally. A steady, clear pace is better than speaking very fast.

How to practise at home

1. Pick a task type and set a timer for the preparation time.
2. Write only keywords during that time.
3. Record yourself on your phone for the full speaking time.
4. Listen back and ask: Did I start clearly? Did I use all the time? Did I give a reason and an example?
5. Record the same task again, and compare the two takes.

You can practise with timed speaking prompts on our CELPIP practice page, and if you would like feedback from a teacher on your recorded answers, ask about our assessment and feedback service.

CELPIP is a trademark of its respective owners. Our practice tests are independent and are not official CELPIP products.