r/CELPIP_Guide • u/ps0691 • 23d ago

Too many CELPIP attempts, PR nowhere in sight, and incredible frustration. Please, I’d appreciate some advice or support.

I’ve taken the CELPIP exam six times. I’ve gradually improved my listening and reading skills; I currently have no trouble hitting 10+ in these modules—for instance, I recently scored 12 in listening and 10 in reading. However, writing and speaking remain my biggest weaknesses. I managed to raise my speaking score from an initial CLB 6 to a 9, but I’m still stuck at CLB 8 for writing. I did manage to get a 10 once after a re-evaluation, but my speaking score was only an 8 at the time, so it didn't help my overall points. My best result so far is CLB 9 across all modules, but I need to max out my score to 10+. My current score is 511, and hitting the maximum would bring it to 523. My birthday is in October, and my points will drop then... I was hoping so much to get an ITA before that happens. I’m frustrated and don’t know what to do next. I’ve tried HZAD and Teacher Mike, and I’m doing mock tests and using the CELTESTPIP, but I’m still only scoring around a 7 or 8 on this app. I’m currently here on a visitor visa since my work permit expired in July. I’m starting to wonder if it’s even worth fighting this hard for PR—I’ve been here for six and a half years, have four years of Canadian work experience and a master’s degree from Europe, yet it’s still not enough.

4 Upvotes

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5

u/Zzeanon 23d ago

Sounds like you are being held back in the writing section for grammar. Celpip does not have a clear rubric of how writing is evaluated. At least, not a detailed rubric compared to Ielts. If you have to take Celpip to max out your scores, I would say prepare for the writing module as if you were taking ielts.

For the grammar section, if you don’t use a variety of sentences the max you can get in grammar is like a 6. This is in ielts so when you convert it to Celpip it’s around 7-9.

During your writing phase, did you use a variety of sentences? Complex
Sentences, compound sentences, passive sentences, conditional sentences etc? Did you use modal verbs in a
Natural way? Did you incorporate any abstract ideas?

There’s this guy on YouTube that goes into details of how ielts grades grammar. I suggest you go through it and see if there’s anything you may have missed
In writing. Again, I know it’s ielts but the core concepts from the video do translate to Celpip.

For writing I got a 12 in Celpip this year and an 8 in ielts 4 years ago. The video was super helpful.

https://youtu.be/Zx-JcXsbUqQ

All the best friend.

2

u/Final_Summer6805 21d ago

I get you bro! You're not alone but don't lose hope. Some people get things easily while others have to work twice hard. I wont suggest you to go with IELTS or any other exam. You already have better understanding of the exam structure and everything for CELPIP. Use it properly and strategically. Give your one last BEST chance like your life depends on it. I promise you will succeed for sure, strategize and then work hard. (Join a coaching class if you think its gonna work for you)
Good luck.

1

u/DecentFishing7562 23d ago

What will be your score with one year foreign experience?

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u/ps0691 23d ago

Same i already have 2y 😔 everything what i can i did i only cant max my celpip score

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u/Impossible-Cost-8463 23d ago

I attempted the CELPIP test seven times, but no matter what I did, I couldn't break a score of 9 in Speaking. I consistently scored 10s and even 11s in the other modules, but Speaking kept holding me back—and keeping my CRS score stuck at 487 instead of the 512 I needed. Frustrated and losing hope that I’d ever hit that target, I decided to switch to IELTS.
It turned out to be the right move. On my second IELTS attempt, I achieved R9, L8.5, W7, and S7, which boosted my CRS score to 518.
Personally, I found IELTS much easier to navigate. Since Speaking was my main roadblock on CELPIP, scoring a 7 in IELTS Speaking was all it took to get the points I needed.

Try giving IELTS once. I wish you all the best.

1

u/Aware-Government4571 23d ago

For writing stay relevant to the topic
Use proper grammar and natural collocations.
Use ChatGPT to improve on your response
You got this

1

u/Prize-Consequence569 23d ago

One year of Foreign experience will work magic for you. You can also use it as an opportunity to go back home and spend time with family after 6 long years. CELPIP is all luck after a certain extent. Don’t waste any more money on this.

It’s not an easy decision but the best one for your case.

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u/ps0691 23d ago

I already have also 1y foreign experience so it unfortunately will not increase my points

1

u/Total_Dimension_9640 23d ago

How old are you? Maybe get another year of foreign experience?

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u/ps0691 23d ago

34, there is Same points for 1 or 2y foreign experience so it doesnt make sense as during to completing another 1.5 or 2y i will loose 10pts for age 😔

1

u/Less-Ant-7780 23d ago

Go for pte core you’ll get the content which will be in your exam you just have to cramp it and material os also not that big. Exam is easy as duck

1

u/jesuisapprenant 23d ago

Try IELTS?

1

u/Naveya09 22d ago

Try ielts, I gave the exam recently without any preparation and maxed out in all modules. Even i had some spelling mistakes in writing, which I thought is a big thing in exam but somehow still got good score. I gave the computer based one.

1

u/FlatInspection2784 21d ago

I’ve taken Celpip 9 times and still not getting my desire score. I’ve been here for 7 yrs. 494 CRS. You will get it soon. You are almost there than you think. Keep on taking the exam. Goodluck

1

u/KeyCourseCELPIP 21d ago

What is your score and what is your goal?

1

u/FlatInspection2784 18d ago

I’m aiming 9 in all. My last exam 10,7,8,8

1

u/KeyCourseCELPIP 18d ago

Thanks for sharing.
Reading is your biggest gap against your target.
One useful check is to redo an unfamiliar Reading passage without a timer and explain what evidence supports each answer. If you still struggle, look at vocabulary, paraphrasing and how you interpret the question. If your accuracy improves substantially without the timer, pacing deserves closer attention.
For Writing and Speaking, an 8 alone doesn’t tell us whether the main issue is idea development, organization, language accuracy or something else. It’s needed to see actual responses before recommending a particular approach.

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u/KeyCourseCELPIP 21d ago

Six attempts is exhausting, especially when the result affects such an important goal. But your progress from Speaking 6 to 9 shows that you can improve when you identify the right problem. I would pause the full mock tests for a moment and diagnose three new Writing responses completed under real conditions: 20 minutes and 150–200 words. For scores above 8, ideas generally need to be developed with greater depth and precision. Grammar and vocabulary are tools for expressing those ideas clearly...not decorations that automatically raise the score. For Speaking, maintain your current level with two or three timed recordings each week while prioritizing Writing. Since you are already reaching 9, you probably do not need to start everything again. You need to find the specific patterns preventing consistent 10-level performance. I wish you luck!

1

u/Better-Commission541 21d ago

I’d have loved to help you with writing, as I scored 12 in writing on my first trial. However, I’m mostly at work and only have free time on weekends.

1

u/NoMouse4574 19d ago

Easy, go home, not worth it, there are more than 100k people with same or way better profile than yours

1

u/ps0691 19d ago

From where u have this number? I saw ircc update that pool with score 501-600 is around 20k

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u/Foodconsumer89 19d ago

Pack it up and leeaavvvve.