UgoSome young Nigerians feel they will have better luck working in foreign countries and they may be right. One of such foreign countries is Canada. But in order to relocate to Canada, people often have to meet some language requirements.
If you have your eye on Canada, then you must have either heard of the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program) or even both.
Most of the immigration pathways you might take into Canada all require either English or French Language test results. Since you are from an English speaking country (Nigeria) you would probably opt for the english tests.
In this article, I will compare the two exams, highlighting their differences to enable you to make an informed choice.
CELPIP Vs IELTS
Both CELPIP and IELTS are aimed at testing your English proficiency but they have their differences. I would go over them below.
| S/N | Criteria | IELTS | CELPIP |
| 1 | Recognition | IELTS has global recognition and it is more trusted by other English speaking countries such as the USA, UK, Australia and New Zealand. | It is recognized globally but tailored towards people trying to migrate to Canada. It tests your proficiency in the Use of North American English |
| 2 | Test availability | It can be taken either on paper or as a computer-based test. The speaking component of the test is done face to face with an examiner | CELPIP is entirely computer-based. The speaking component is taken by responding verbally to prompts from the computer |
| 3 | Test duration | The IELTS is shorter than CELPIP, taking a total of about 2 hours 45 minutes. The listening section is about 30 minutes | CELPIP takes about 3 hours with a longer listening section that lasts about 55 minutes. |
| 4 | Grading system | All components of the exam are marked by a human examiner. In fact, the speaking component is actually conducted face to face. | The listening and reading components of the CELPIP are marked by a computer while the speaking and writing components are marked by a human examiner. |
| 5 | Ideal scores | Scores range from 1 to 9 for the IELTS exam. A score of at least 6 out of 9 shows you are a competent speaker of English | Scores range from 1 to 12 for the CELPIP exam. A score of at least 7 out of 12 shows you possess adequate proficiency. |
| 6 | Cost | IELTS costs between N249,000 to N285,000 in Nigeria depending on the test you want to take. Note that the final price can vary depending on the test centre you choose | The CELPIP test costs about N 220,000 in Nigeria. Price can also vary with test centres |
| 7 | Difficulty | IELTS is believed to be demanding, academic and generally tougher than CELPIP | The CELPIP exams are generally believed to be easier than IELTS. |
| 8 | Requirements | There are no restrictions in terms of educational background but you have to present an original valid ID Card. Acceptable IDs include National ID or International passport. You must also use the same ID you used in registering for the exam. | There are no restrictions in terms of educational qualifications but you would have to present an original valid ID bearing your photo. |
| 9 | Preparation | Since IELTS is more established and well-known, there are a lot of learning resources to aid your preparation. | There are fewer free learning resources for CELPIP when compared to IELTS. You are more likely to spend money taking courses in preparation for the exams |
| 10 | Retake | You can retake one skill test every 60 days. The IELTS is valid for 2 years when applying for your Canadian Visa. | You can retake your CELPIP test every 5 days. It is also valid for 2 years if you are using it to apply for a Canadian Visa. |
Conclusion
Ultimately, whichever exam you choose would depend on your personal preferences, test strengths, goals and other factors.
Some people might prefer CELPIP because they feel the entire examination is less rigorous while others might feel IELTS has wider recognition, more uses and human examiners.
Choose the one that best suits your needs and feel free to share your thoughts and other ideas about Japa in our comment section
Ugo
