CELPIP General vs LS Which Test Do You Need?
Two official CELPIP tests, two very different purposes. Here's exactly how they compare — sections, cost, duration, and which one your application actually requires.
Quick Answer
CELPIP General has 4 sections (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) and is required for Express Entry and PR. CELPIP General LS has only 2 sections (Listening and Speaking) and is enough for Canadian citizenship. If you might apply for PR later, take General — it covers everything LS does.
CELPIP General vs General LS: Side-by-Side
Same test provider, same scoring scale, same computer-based format — the difference is which skills are tested and what each result can be used for.
| Feature | CELPIP General | CELPIP General LS |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | CELPIP General Test | CELPIP General LS Test |
| Sections | 4 — Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking | 2 — Listening, Speaking |
| Duration | ~3 hours | ~1 hour 10 minutes |
| Purpose | PR, Express Entry, PNP, professional designations | Canadian citizenship, some professional uses |
| Test format | Computer-based, one sitting | Computer-based, one sitting |
| Scoring | CELPIP Levels 3–12 per section (aligned to CLB) | CELPIP Levels 3–12 per section (aligned to CLB) |
| Cost (Canada) | $290 CAD + tax | $195 CAD + tax |
| Results | Online, 4–5 business days | Online, 4–5 business days |
| Validity | 2 years | 2 years |
Fees shown are for test centres in Canada and can change — verify current pricing and availability at paragontesting.ca.
Which One Should You Take?
It comes down to one question: what are you applying for?
Applying for PR?
Express Entry, PNP, PGWP-to-PR pathways
IRCC requires all 4 skills for permanent residency. LS is not accepted for any PR program.
Applying for citizenship?
Canadian citizenship application (ages 18–54)
Citizenship only requires proof of Listening and Speaking at CLB 4+. LS is cheaper and half the length.
Want to keep options open?
Not sure if PR is in your future
General covers everything LS covers and more. One test works for both citizenship and PR — no need to pay twice.
A valid CELPIP General result is accepted everywhere an LS result is — but not the other way around.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
Listening and Speaking are identical in both tests. Reading and Writing exist only in CELPIP General.
Listening
6 parts, ~47–55 minutes. You hear conversations, news items, discussions, and viewpoints — each played only once — then answer multiple-choice questions.
Reading
4 parts, ~55–60 minutes. Correspondence, diagrams, information passages, and viewpoints. Only in CELPIP General — this is one of the two sections LS skips.
Writing
2 tasks, ~53–60 minutes. Writing an email and responding to survey questions. Only in CELPIP General — not tested in LS.
Speaking
8 tasks, ~15–20 minutes. Giving advice, describing scenes, making predictions, and persuading — all recorded via microphone, no live examiner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything people ask about choosing between CELPIP General and General LS.
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