# ExamStep — facts, lessons and templates in full

Source: https://examstep.ca · Index: https://examstep.ca/llms.txt

## Key facts

Facts as of 2026-11-04 (counts from the ExamStep database, regenerated hourly; prices and free tiers from the live plan catalogue, in CAD).

- ExamStep (https://examstep.ca) is an independent online practice site for CELPIP-General, TOEFL iBT (2026 format), IELTS General Training, IELTS Academic, PTE Core, Canadian Citizenship Test, CELPIP-LS for Canadian Citizenship.
- In total: 10,800+ practice questions for the language tests (exactly 10,842; shared banks counted once) plus 562 citizenship-test questions.
- A "practice question" is one scored Reading or Listening question (or blank) or one Writing or Speaking prompt. Answer options and vocabulary items are never counted.
- CELPIP-General: 2,558 practice questions (Listening 1,074 questions · Reading 1,254 questions · Writing 46 prompts · Speaking 184 prompts); 11 full mock tests; free with a free account: 1 full mock (partly marked) + 1 practice test per skill; passes from CA$15.99 for 7 days.
- TOEFL iBT (2026 format): 2,336 practice questions (Listening 862 questions · Reading 945 questions · Writing 276 prompts · Speaking 253 prompts); 11 full mock tests; free with a free account: 1 full mock (every section scored) + 1 practice test per skill; passes from CA$13.99 for 7 days.
- IELTS General Training: 2,185 practice questions (Listening 1,025 questions · Reading 800 questions · Writing 40 prompts · Speaking 320 prompts); 10 full mock tests; free with a free account: 1 full mock (partly marked) + 1 practice test per skill; passes from CA$12.49 for 7 days.
- IELTS Academic: 3,070 practice questions (Listening 1,025 questions · Reading 1,665 questions · Writing 60 prompts · Speaking 320 prompts); 10 full mock tests; free with a free account: 1 full mock (partly marked) + 1 practice test per skill; passes from CA$12.49 for 7 days.
- PTE Core: 2,058 practice questions (Listening 459 questions · Reading 988 questions · Writing 63 prompts · Speaking 548 prompts); 10 full mock tests; free with a free account: 1 full mock (partly marked) + 1 practice test per skill; passes from CA$13.99 for 7 days.
- Canadian Citizenship Test: 562 practice questions, 25 timed practice tests; free with a free account: 3 timed tests and all 562 questions; without an account: 1 timed test and the first 10 questions of each chapter; passes from CA$19.99 for 30 days.
- CELPIP-LS for Canadian Citizenship: 276 practice questions (Listening 228 questions · Speaking 48 prompts); 6 Listening & Speaking mocks; free with a free account: 1 Listening & Speaking mock (partly marked); passes from CA$12.99 for 7 days.
- Every exam has a free part with a free account (no card); the rest needs a pass. Nothing on ExamStep is free in full.
- Scores are ExamStep's estimates for practice, not official scores. Only Paragon (CELPIP), ETS (TOEFL), the IELTS partners, Pearson (PTE) and IRCC (citizenship) issue official results.
- Writing and Speaking are marked by AI from your text, or from a transcript of your recording plus its timing; sounds and accent are not heard. How the marking works: https://examstep.ca/about#marking
- All questions are original practice questions written by ExamStep in the official format. They are not real, retired or leaked test questions.
- ExamStep is not affiliated with or endorsed by Paragon Testing Enterprises, ETS, the IELTS partners, Pearson or IRCC.

## CELPIP-General — facts

- CELPIP-General: 2,558 practice questions in 530 published tasks (Listening 1,074 questions · Reading 1,254 questions · Writing 46 prompts · Speaking 184 prompts).
- CELPIP-General: full mock tests: 11 (1 free), single-skill practice tests: 63 (4 free).
- CELPIP-General: one full mock holds Listening 38–39 questions · Reading 38 questions · Writing 2 prompts · Speaking 8 prompts.
- CELPIP-General, free with a free account (no card): One free practice test in each skill (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking), fully marked; one free full mock exam in which Listening and Reading are scored and one Writing task and one Speaking task are marked (a partly marked mock gives no overall score).
- CELPIP-General, free without an account: 20 worked examples (one per task type, every answer explained, read-only); 6 lessons. Timed practice tests and mocks need a free account.
- CELPIP-General, prices (CAD, one-time, no auto-renew): passes 7 days CA$15.99, 30 days CA$29.99, 90 days CA$55.99; single full mock CA$9.99. Everything not listed as free needs a pass or a single-test purchase.
- CELPIP-General: results are reported as estimated scores on CLB 1–12; Writing and Speaking are scored against CELPIP's four published Writing and Speaking dimensions (Content/Coherence, Vocabulary, Readability or Listenability, Task Fulfillment); Reading and Listening are marked against an answer key.

## TOEFL iBT (2026 format) — facts

- TOEFL iBT (2026 format): 2,336 practice questions in 562 published tasks (Listening 862 questions · Reading 945 questions · Writing 276 prompts · Speaking 253 prompts).
- TOEFL iBT (2026 format): full mock tests: 11 (1 free), single-skill practice tests: 40 (4 free).
- TOEFL iBT (2026 format): one full mock holds Listening 32–35 questions · Reading 35–38 questions · Writing 12 prompts · Speaking 11 prompts.
- TOEFL iBT (2026 format), free with a free account (no card): One free practice test in each skill (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking), fully marked; one free full mock exam with every section scored, including Writing and Speaking; the detailed Writing and Speaking feedback comes with a pass.
- TOEFL iBT (2026 format), free without an account: 12 worked examples (one per task type, every answer explained, read-only); one Write an Email answer marked by AI per day; Build a Sentence practice, checked instantly; 4 lessons. Timed practice tests and mocks need a free account.
- TOEFL iBT (2026 format), prices (CAD, one-time, no auto-renew): passes 7 days CA$13.99, 30 days CA$29.99, 90 days CA$76.99; single full mock CA$8.49. Everything not listed as free needs a pass or a single-test purchase.
- TOEFL iBT (2026 format): results are reported as estimated scores on the 1–6 band scale; Writing and Speaking are scored against ETS's published 0–5 scoring guides for each Writing and Speaking task; Reading and Listening are marked against an answer key.
- TOEFL iBT (2026 format): Full Adaptive Test 1 (included with a pass) has ETS's 120 items and adaptive Reading and Listening: after module 1 the server sends you to an easier or a harder module 2 (our routing approximates ETS's published two-stage design; ETS does not publish its threshold). The other full tests are shorter than ETS's — fewer Reading and Listening questions, and ETS's two-module structure without adaptive routing (everyone gets the same second module).

## IELTS General Training — facts

- IELTS General Training: 2,185 practice questions in 245 published tasks (Listening 1,025 questions · Reading 800 questions · Writing 40 prompts · Speaking 320 prompts).
- IELTS General Training: full mock tests: 10 (1 free), single-skill practice tests: 40 (4 free), single-question-type drills: 45 (0 free).
- IELTS General Training: one full mock holds Listening 40 questions · Reading 40 questions · Writing 2 prompts · Speaking 16 prompts.
- IELTS General Training: part of this bank is shared — listening (125 tasks, shared with IELTS Academic), speaking (20 tasks, shared with IELTS Academic), writing (20 tasks, shared with IELTS Academic); the site-wide total counts it once.
- IELTS General Training, free with a free account (no card): One free practice test in each skill (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking), fully marked; one free full mock exam in which Listening and Reading are scored, and Writing Task 1 and Speaking Part 2 are marked (a partly marked mock gives no overall band).
- IELTS General Training, prices (CAD, one-time, no auto-renew): passes 7 days CA$12.49, 30 days CA$23.49, 90 days CA$45.99; single full mock CA$7.99. Everything not listed as free needs a pass or a single-test purchase.
- IELTS General Training: results are reported as estimated scores on Band 0–9; Writing and Speaking are scored against the four published IELTS criteria for Writing and for Speaking; Reading and Listening are marked against an answer key.

## IELTS Academic — facts

- IELTS Academic: 3,070 practice questions in 363 published tasks (Listening 1,025 questions · Reading 1,665 questions · Writing 60 prompts · Speaking 320 prompts).
- IELTS Academic: full mock tests: 10 (1 free), single-skill practice tests: 51 (4 free), single-question-type drills: 130 (0 free).
- IELTS Academic: one full mock holds Listening 40 questions · Reading 40 questions · Writing 2 prompts · Speaking 16 prompts.
- IELTS Academic, free with a free account (no card): One free practice test in each skill (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking), fully marked; one free full mock exam in which Listening and Reading are scored, and Writing Task 1 and Speaking Part 2 are marked (a partly marked mock gives no overall band).
- IELTS Academic, prices (CAD, one-time, no auto-renew): passes 7 days CA$12.49, 30 days CA$23.49, 90 days CA$45.99; single full mock CA$7.99. Everything not listed as free needs a pass or a single-test purchase.
- IELTS Academic: results are reported as estimated scores on Band 0–9; Writing and Speaking are scored against the four published IELTS criteria for Writing and for Speaking; Reading and Listening are marked against an answer key.

## PTE Core — facts

- PTE Core: 2,058 practice questions in 420 published tasks (Listening 459 questions · Reading 988 questions · Writing 63 prompts · Speaking 548 prompts).
- PTE Core: full mock tests: 10 (1 free), single-skill practice tests: 44 (4 free), single-question-type drills: 399 (19 free).
- PTE Core: one full mock holds Listening 19–22 questions · Reading 48–49 questions · Writing 3 prompts · Speaking 26–28 prompts.
- PTE Core, free with a free account (no card): One free practice test in each skill (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking), fully marked; one free full mock exam in which Listening and Reading are scored and one Writing task and one Speaking task are marked (a partly marked mock gives no overall score); 10 marked single questions a day (up to 3 of them writing), with Reading and Listening questions unlimited.
- PTE Core, prices (CAD, one-time, no auto-renew): passes 7 days CA$13.99, 30 days CA$24.99, 90 days CA$39.99; single full mock CA$6.99. Everything not listed as free needs a pass or a single-test purchase.
- PTE Core: results are reported as estimated scores on 10–90 per skill with its CLB level; Writing and Speaking are scored against Pearson's published traits for each task (Speaking: content and oral fluency only — pronunciation is not assessed); Reading and Listening are marked against an answer key.

## Canadian Citizenship Test — facts

- Canadian Citizenship Test: 562 distinct practice questions on Discover Canada; 25 timed practice tests of 20 questions (45 minutes, 15 to pass) are drawn from them, not added to them.
- Canadian Citizenship Test, free with a free account (no card): Three full timed practice tests (20 questions, 45 minutes, 15 to pass) and all 562 chapter practice questions, with your progress saved; without an account: one timed practice test and the first 10 questions of each chapter.
- Canadian Citizenship Test, prices (CAD, one-time, no auto-renew): passes 30 days CA$19.99, 90 days CA$29.99. Everything not listed as free needs a pass or a single-test purchase.

## CELPIP-LS for Canadian Citizenship — facts

- CELPIP-LS for Canadian Citizenship: 276 practice questions in 84 published tasks (Listening 228 questions · Speaking 48 prompts).
- CELPIP-LS for Canadian Citizenship: full mock tests: 6 (1 free).
- CELPIP-LS for Canadian Citizenship: one full mock holds Listening 38 questions · Speaking 8 prompts.
- CELPIP-LS for Canadian Citizenship: part of this bank is shared — listening (36 tasks, shared with CELPIP-General), speaking (48 tasks, shared with CELPIP-General); the site-wide total counts it once.
- CELPIP-LS for Canadian Citizenship, free with a free account (no card): One free Listening and Speaking mock (the CELPIP-General LS test IRCC accepts) in which Listening is scored and one Speaking task is marked.
- CELPIP-LS for Canadian Citizenship, prices (CAD, one-time, no auto-renew): passes 7 days CA$12.99, 30 days CA$24.99, 90 days CA$39.99; single full mock CA$9.49. Everything not listed as free needs a pass or a single-test purchase.
- CELPIP-LS for Canadian Citizenship: results are reported as estimated scores on CLB (Listening and Speaking); Writing and Speaking are scored against CELPIP's four published Speaking dimensions; Reading and Listening are marked against an answer key.

## Counting rule

- question = a scored Reading/Listening item (question or blank with an answer key) or one Writing/Speaking prompt; task = one published exercise.
- Reading/Listening: every question or blank that carries an answer key is one question; a gapped passage is not itself a question. Writing/Speaking: each prompt the candidate answers is one (an unscored warm-up, such as the IELTS ID check or the PTE personal introduction, is not counted). Answer options and vocabulary items are never counted.
- The citizenship test's timed practice tests are drawn from its chapter questions and are not counted twice. IELTS General Training and Academic share their Listening and Speaking bank, and CELPIP-LS is drawn from CELPIP's; site-wide totals count those once.

## CELPIP · Test & Scoring: Free CELPIP Mock Test Online: What's Actually Available (2026)
URL: https://examstep.ca/celpip/learn/free-celpip-mock-test-online-whats-actually-available-2026-260909 · Updated: 2026-10-28

What celpip.ca gives you free (a sample test, plus free practice tests in a CELPIP Account), what it sells, and what our own free ExamStep account includes. Checked 25 September 2026.

Key strategies:
- Start with the free sample test on celpip.ca: Paragon says it shows the format and timing, the question types, and the correct answers for Listening and Reading.
- Create a CELPIP Account: Paragon's pages say free practice tests come with it.
- Practise against the official section times from celpip.ca: Listening 46–55 min, Reading 43–56 min, Writing 53 min, Speaking 15 min.
- Practise on a computer: the CELPIP test is computer-delivered, with a timer, word counter and spell-check ([celpip.ca, Overview](https://www.celpip.ca/take-celpip/overview/)).
- Our tip: type your Writing answers and record your Speaking answers, so practice feels like test day.

*Checked 25 September 2026. Facts about the CELPIP test come from Paragon's site, celpip.ca. Anything about ExamStep is about our own product and is labelled that way.*

If you search for a free CELPIP mock test, start with what the test maker, Paragon, gives away on celpip.ca. Here is what its pages say today.

## What is free on celpip.ca

- **A free online sample test.** Paragon's preparation page says the sample test lets you get familiar with the test format and timing, see the types of questions you will meet on test day, and see the correct answers for the Listening and Reading components ([celpip.ca, Prepare for CELPIP](https://www.celpip.ca/prep-overview/)).
- **Free practice tests with a CELPIP Account.** The same page lists "a free practice test when you create a CELPIP Account" ([celpip.ca, Prepare for CELPIP](https://www.celpip.ca/prep-overview/)). Paragon's page for prep providers puts it as "one set of 2 practice tests is available for FREE in every CELPIP Account" ([celpip.ca, Prep Providers](https://www.celpip.ca/prep-providers/)). Paragon also has a short form that unlocks free practice tests ([celpip.ca, Free Practice Tests](https://www.celpip.ca/free-practice-tests/)).
- **Free webinars and guides.** Paragon lists over 10 hours of free webinars, study-tip videos and a free guidebook for test takers ([celpip.ca, Prepare for CELPIP](https://www.celpip.ca/prep-overview/)).

## What celpip.ca sells

Paragon's preparation page lists study materials for sale, including an Interactive Learning Program, Online Practice Tests and Study Guides, plus books in its online store ([celpip.ca, Prepare for CELPIP](https://www.celpip.ca/prep-overview/)). Prices are on Paragon's store, so check them there.

## The real test you are practising for

- CELPIP-General has four components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Paragon gives these times: **Listening 46–55 minutes, Reading 43–56 minutes, Writing 53 minutes, Speaking 15 minutes**, done in one sitting ([celpip.ca, Test Format](https://www.celpip.ca/take-celpip/test-format/)).
- Paragon's overview page lists the fee: CELPIP-General $299 + taxes and CELPIP-General LS $199 + taxes (Canadian price) ([celpip.ca, Overview](https://www.celpip.ca/take-celpip/overview/)). Paragon's older product pages still show $290 + taxes and $195 + taxes ([CELPIP-General page](https://www.celpip.ca/celpip-general/); [CELPIP-General LS page](https://www.celpip.ca/celpip-general-ls/)). Check the price at checkout.

## How to use free practice well (our advice)

Treat the free material like the real thing. Time each section to the official times above, type your Writing answers instead of handwriting them, and record your Speaking answers so you can listen back to your pacing.

## Our free option: ExamStep (our product)

ExamStep is our own site, not Paragon's. A free ExamStep account needs no card and includes one CELPIP practice test in each skill (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking), fully marked. It also includes one free full mock exam in which Listening and Reading are scored and one Writing task and one Speaking task are marked; a partly marked mock gives no overall score ([ExamStep pricing](https://examstep.ca/pricing?exam=celpip)). After that, a single CELPIP mock costs CA$9.99 pay-as-you-go, and passes are CA$15.99 (7 days), CA$29.99 (30 days) and CA$55.99 (90 days), plus tax ([ExamStep pricing](https://examstep.ca/pricing?exam=celpip)). Our tests are written by us to the official format. Our scores are practice estimates, not official CELPIP results.

## FAQ

**Is there a free official full CELPIP mock?**
Paragon offers a free sample test and free practice tests with a CELPIP Account ([celpip.ca, Prepare for CELPIP](https://www.celpip.ca/prep-overview/); [celpip.ca, Prep Providers](https://www.celpip.ca/prep-providers/)). Its pages do not say that the free sample is a full-length timed test, so plan on the official times above when you practise.

**Does the free sample give answers?**
Paragon says the sample test lets you see the correct answers for Listening and Reading ([celpip.ca, Prepare for CELPIP](https://www.celpip.ca/prep-overview/)).

## Sources (checked 25 September 2026)
- celpip.ca, Prepare for CELPIP: https://www.celpip.ca/prep-overview/
- celpip.ca, Free Practice Tests: https://www.celpip.ca/free-practice-tests/
- celpip.ca, Prep Providers: https://www.celpip.ca/prep-providers/
- celpip.ca, Test Format: https://www.celpip.ca/take-celpip/test-format/
- celpip.ca, CELPIP-General: https://www.celpip.ca/celpip-general/
- celpip.ca, CELPIP-General LS: https://www.celpip.ca/celpip-general-ls/
- ExamStep pricing (our product): https://examstep.ca/pricing?exam=celpip

## CELPIP · Test & Scoring: CELPIP Practice Test with AI Feedback: What It Really Means
URL: https://examstep.ca/celpip/learn/celpip-practice-test-with-ai-feedback-what-it-really-means-260909 · Updated: 2026-10-28

A clear explanation of how CELPIP is actually scored, where AI feedback tools fit into practice, and how to judge Writing and Speaking answers the way official raters do.

Key strategies:
- Know that on the real CELPIP-General test, only Listening and Reading are computer-scored — Writing and Speaking are graded by trained human raters, not AI.
- Use AI feedback during practice to flag grammar, vocabulary, and coherence problems before you sit the real exam.
- Score every practice Writing and Speaking response against the four official rating dimensions: Content/Coherence, Vocabulary, Readability/Listenability, and Task Fulfillment.
- Practice under real timing since CELPIP-General runs about three hours in a fixed Listening → Reading → Writing → Speaking order with no going back.
- Never leave a Listening or Reading question blank, since there is no penalty for guessing on either section.
- Treat any AI-estimated CLB score as a study signal, not an official result — only celpip.ca materials and the real test determine your actual score.

A "CELPIP practice test with AI feedback" is a practice tool that estimates how a Writing or Speaking response would score, using the same rubric categories official raters use. It is not how the real CELPIP-General test is scored: Paragon Testing (the maker of CELPIP) has your Listening and Reading answers marked by computer against an answer key, while Writing and Speaking are rated by trained human raters. Understanding that difference is the key to using any AI feedback tool correctly — as a rehearsal aid, not a substitute for the real scoring process.

## How CELPIP Is Actually Scored
CELPIP-General has four components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Listening and Reading are scored entirely by computer based on correct answers, and there is no penalty for guessing, so you should always select an answer even if unsure. Writing and Speaking are different: each speaking response is rated by at least three trained raters, and each writing response by at least four, working independently and without seeing each other's scores. Their combined ratings are converted into a single CELPIP level, aligned to the CLB, for each skill.

## What AI Feedback Can and Can't Do
A good AI feedback tool can quickly point out run-on sentences, weak vocabulary choices, off-topic content, or a response that's too short to fulfill the task — the same issues human raters penalize. What it can't do is replace the judgment of trained raters who apply CELPIP's official rubric and calibration process. Use AI feedback to iterate quickly between practice attempts, then double-check your understanding of the rubric against the official test format and results pages before test day.

## The Four Rating Dimensions to Practice Against
Whether you're using AI feedback or self-marking, evaluate every Writing and Speaking practice answer on:
- **Content/Coherence** – Did you answer the actual task and organize ideas logically?
- **Vocabulary** – Did you use a range of words accurately, not just repeat the prompt?
- **Readability/Listenability** – Is your writing easy to follow, or your speech clear and fluent?
- **Task Fulfillment** – Did you meet the specific requirements of that task type (e.g., word count, formality, purpose)?

## Timing to Practice Under
Rehearse with the real clock, not just the real questions. Paragon's test-format page (checked 25 September 2026) gives Listening 46–55 minutes across six parts, Reading 43–56 minutes for 38 questions, Writing 53 minutes across two tasks, and Speaking 15 minutes across eight short tasks — all in one fixed-order sitting of under three hours. Practicing untimed builds false confidence; practicing timed shows you where you actually run out of time. ExamStep's free CELPIP practice test lets you try timed questions across these sections before committing to a fuller study plan.

## FAQ

**Does the real CELPIP test use AI to score Writing and Speaking?**
No. Paragon Testing has Writing and Speaking rated by trained human raters using standard rubrics, not automated AI scoring. Listening and Reading are computer-scored against an answer key.

**Is a CLB score from an AI feedback tool the same as my real CELPIP score?**
No. It's an estimate based on the same rubric categories, useful for practice, but only your official test results — available online in your CELPIP Account 2–4 business days after your test date — reflect your real CLB level.

**Should I guess if I'm unsure on a Listening or Reading question?**
Yes. There is no penalty for incorrect answers in Listening or Reading, so always choose your best answer rather than leaving a question blank.

## Sources
- https://www.celpip.ca/take-celpip/test-format/
- https://www.celpip.ca/take-celpip/test-results/
- https://www.celpip.ca/free-practice-tests/
- Paragon Testing, CELPIP Free Online Sample Test (on Paragon’s instructional-products site), checked 2026-09-28

## CELPIP · Test & Scoring: CELPIP Practice Tests for English Schools in Canada: Options
URL: https://examstep.ca/celpip/learn/celpip-practice-tests-for-english-schools-in-canada-options-260909 · Updated: 2026-10-28

What Paragon offers schools that prepare students for CELPIP (the CELPIP Preparation Program, free practice tests, the CELPIP Network) and how to match students to the right test. Checked 25 September 2026.

Key strategies:
- Look at Paragon's CELPIP Preparation Program: four 18-hour skill modules, with Instructor's Guides, Student Workbooks and Practice Tests.
- Ask Paragon about the CELPIP Network: its page lists bulk study materials at reduced prices and registrations through an agent dashboard.
- Send every student to the free sample test and the free practice tests in a CELPIP Account before buying more material.
- Match each student to the right test: IRCC accepts CELPIP-General for immigration and citizenship, and CELPIP-General LS for citizenship only.
- Remind PR and work-permit students that IRCC wants results no more than 2 years old; citizenship applicants may send expired results.

*Checked 25 September 2026. Facts about CELPIP come from Paragon's site, celpip.ca, and from IRCC on canada.ca. Anything about ExamStep is about our own product and is labelled that way.*

A school preparing students for CELPIP can start with what Paragon, the test maker, offers prep providers, then add other practice on top.

## What Paragon offers schools

Paragon's page for prep providers describes an official **CELPIP Preparation Program**, offered "as a turnkey solution" ([celpip.ca, Prep Providers](https://www.celpip.ca/prep-providers/)):

- Four 18-hour skill modules (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking), for a 72-hour classroom program.
- Core materials: Instructor's Guides, Student Workbooks and Practice Tests, with lesson plans, online media files and suggested homework.
- 2 free practice tests available only to users of the program.
- A syllabus built around one lesson a day, which instructors may adjust.

The same page describes the **CELPIP Network**. Its listed features are client registrations through an agent account dashboard, co-branding with Network Member badges, a referral program (international prep providers only), and study materials in bulk at reduced prices ([celpip.ca, Prep Providers](https://www.celpip.ca/prep-providers/)). The page does not publish Network prices, so ask Paragon directly.

## Free official material for every student

- Paragon says "one set of 2 practice tests is available for FREE in every CELPIP Account" ([celpip.ca, Prep Providers](https://www.celpip.ca/prep-providers/)).
- There is also a free online sample test. Paragon says it shows the test format and timing and the question types, and gives the correct answers for Listening and Reading ([celpip.ca, Prepare for CELPIP](https://www.celpip.ca/prep-overview/)).
- Other practice tests can be bought on the CELPIP store, with discounts for Network members ([celpip.ca, Prep Providers](https://www.celpip.ca/prep-providers/)).

## Match students to the right test

- IRCC accepts **CELPIP-General** for immigration and citizenship, and **CELPIP-General LS** (Listening and Speaking) for citizenship only ([IRCC, language requirements](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/standard-requirements/language-requirements.html)).
- Paragon's overview page lists CELPIP-General at **$299 + taxes** and CELPIP-General LS at **$199 + taxes** (Canadian price; international pricing varies) ([celpip.ca, Overview](https://www.celpip.ca/take-celpip/overview/)). Paragon's older product pages still show $290 + taxes and $195 + taxes ([CELPIP-General](https://www.celpip.ca/celpip-general/); [CELPIP-General LS](https://www.celpip.ca/celpip-general-ls/)). Budget with the higher, newer figure.
- Section times from Paragon: **Listening 46–55 minutes, Reading 43–56 minutes, Writing 53 minutes, Speaking 15 minutes** for CELPIP-General. CELPIP-General LS (Listening and Speaking only) takes about 1 hour 10 minutes ([celpip.ca, Test Format](https://www.celpip.ca/take-celpip/test-format/)).
- **How long results count:** for temporary and permanent residence programs, IRCC says results must not be more than 2 years old when it receives the application ([IRCC, language requirements](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/standard-requirements/language-requirements.html)). For Express Entry, results must be less than 2 years old both when the profile is completed and when the PR application is submitted ([IRCC, Express Entry language test](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/language-test.html)). For citizenship, IRCC tells applicants to include their results "even if they're expired" ([IRCC, citizenship language proof](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility/language-proof/step-2.html)).

## Things to teach before test day

- Students must bring the original, valid ID they registered with. Photocopies are not accepted, and a student whose ID does not meet the rules cannot sit the test, transfer it or get a refund ([celpip.ca, Test Day Information](https://www.celpip.ca/take-celpip/test-day-information/)).

## A classroom sequence (our suggestion)

This order is our suggestion, not Paragon's:

1. **Orientation:** the free sample test, so students see the format and timing.
2. **Skill building:** teach each component, using the Preparation Program or your own materials.
3. **Official practice:** the free practice tests in each student's CELPIP Account, under the official times.
4. **More timed practice:** extra practice tests from the CELPIP store or another provider.

## ExamStep for individual students (our product)

ExamStep is our own site, not Paragon's. Any student can open a free ExamStep account with no card. It includes one CELPIP practice test in each skill, fully marked, and one free full mock in which Listening and Reading are scored and one Writing task and one Speaking task are marked ([ExamStep pricing](https://examstep.ca/pricing?exam=celpip)). CELPIP passes cost CA$15.99 (7 days), CA$29.99 (30 days) and CA$55.99 (90 days), plus tax ([ExamStep pricing](https://examstep.ca/pricing?exam=celpip)). Our tests are written by us, not by Paragon, and our scores are practice estimates.

## FAQ

**Does Paragon offer bulk pricing to schools?**
Its prep-provider page says CELPIP Network members can buy study materials in bulk at reduced prices, but it does not list the prices ([celpip.ca, Prep Providers](https://www.celpip.ca/prep-providers/)).

**Which test should a citizenship-only student take?**
IRCC accepts CELPIP-General LS for citizenship only, and CELPIP-General for both immigration and citizenship ([IRCC, language requirements](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/standard-requirements/language-requirements.html)).

## Sources (checked 25 September 2026)
- celpip.ca, Prep Providers: https://www.celpip.ca/prep-providers/
- celpip.ca, Prepare for CELPIP: https://www.celpip.ca/prep-overview/
- celpip.ca, Test Format: https://www.celpip.ca/take-celpip/test-format/
- celpip.ca, CELPIP-General: https://www.celpip.ca/celpip-general/
- celpip.ca, CELPIP-General LS: https://www.celpip.ca/celpip-general-ls/
- celpip.ca, Test Day Information: https://www.celpip.ca/take-celpip/test-day-information/
- IRCC, language requirements (standard requirements): https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/standard-requirements/language-requirements.html
- IRCC, Express Entry language test: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/language-test.html
- IRCC, citizenship language proof (step 2): https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility/language-proof/step-2.html
- ExamStep pricing (our product): https://examstep.ca/pricing?exam=celpip

## CELPIP · Test & Scoring: Best CELPIP Practice Site for Writing and Speaking Scoring
URL: https://examstep.ca/celpip/learn/best-celpip-practice-site-for-writing-and-speaking-scoring-260915 · Updated: 2026-10-28

There's no single "best" site with official CELPIP writing/speaking scores — only celpip.ca uses certified human raters. Here's how to judge any practice tool by the real rubric, so your practice scores actually mean something.

Key strategies:
- Judge any CELPIP practice tool by whether it scores against the four official rating dimensions — Content/Coherence, Vocabulary, Readability (Writing) or Listenability (Speaking), and Task Fulfillment — not just a grammar checker.
- Time your practice writing under real conditions: two tasks in 53 minutes, the official CELPIP-General Writing time on Paragon's test-format page (checked 25 September 2026).
- Time your practice speaking under real conditions: eight prompts in 15 minutes, the official CELPIP-General Speaking time on Paragon's test-format page (checked 25 September 2026).
- Remember that only celpip.ca's real exam uses certified raters (a minimum of four for writing and three for speaking per response) — any third-party or AI practice score is an estimate, not an official CLB score.
- Calibrate your own answers against celpip.ca's Score Comparison Chart, which shows sample responses rated at each CELPIP level so you can see what a 7, 9, or 10 sounds and reads like.
- Practice on a computer with a keyboard, microphone, and headset, since the real CELPIP-General test is fully computer-delivered for all four skills.

There isn't one official "best" site for CELPIP writing and speaking scoring, because only celpip.ca's real exam uses certified human raters trained on the test maker's own rubrics. What you can control is choosing practice tools that score against those same official criteria and running your practice under real exam conditions, so your practice scores are a useful signal instead of a guess.

## How CELPIP Actually Scores Writing and Speaking

Unlike Listening and Reading, which are scored by computer, Writing and Speaking on the CELPIP-General Test are scored by trained raters. Per celpip.ca, each speaking response is rated by a minimum of three speaking raters and each writing response by a minimum of four writing raters, working independently of each other. Raters apply standard rubrics: for Speaking they evaluate Content/Coherence, Vocabulary, Listenability, and Task Fulfillment; for Writing they evaluate Content/Coherence, Vocabulary, Readability, and Task Fulfillment. Every skill — Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking — gets its own CELPIP level, which maps directly to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level.

## What to Look For in a Practice or "Scoring" Tool

Since no outside company can replicate celpip.ca's certified rater pool, treat any third-party writing or speaking "score" as an estimate for calibration, not a prediction of your real result. A practice tool is more useful when it:

- Breaks feedback down by the same categories raters use (task fulfillment, vocabulary, coherence/organization, grammar or listenability) instead of one vague overall number.
- Times every task, so pacing pressure feels familiar on test day. Paragon's official times are 53 minutes for the two writing tasks and 15 minutes for the eight speaking tasks (test-format page, checked 25 September 2026).
- Simulates the computer-delivered format — typing your writing responses and speaking into a microphone/headset — since the real CELPIP-General test is entirely computer-based.
- Points you back to genuine benchmarks, like celpip.ca's own sample responses, rather than inventing its own scale.

## How to Use Practice Scores Without Being Misled

The most reliable calibration tool is free and official: celpip.ca's Score Comparison Chart shows sample responses rated at each CELPIP level, with an analysis of why each mark was given. Read a handful of samples near your target level (for example, CLB 7 or CLB 9), then compare your own practice answers against them for length, organization, vocabulary range, and how directly you addressed the task. This tells you far more about your actual level than any single automated number. ExamStep's free CELPIP practice tests are one place to rehearse timed writing and speaking tasks before you rely on any paid mock exam.

## FAQ

**Does any website give an official CELPIP writing or speaking score?**
No. Only celpip.ca's real test, scored by certified human raters, produces an official score. Practice sites can only offer estimates for self-study.

**How many raters score a real CELPIP writing or speaking response?**
A minimum of four writing raters and three speaking raters assess each test taker's performance independently, according to celpip.ca.

**What should I compare my practice score against?**
Compare your writing and speaking against celpip.ca's Score Comparison Chart samples, which are rated at each CELPIP level with an analysis of why each mark was given.

## Sources
- https://www.celpip.ca/take-celpip/test-results/
- https://www.celpip.ca/take-celpip/test-format/
- https://www.celpip.ca/score-comparison-chart/

## CELPIP · Test & Scoring: Online CELPIP Mock Exam That Matches the Real Test Format
URL: https://examstep.ca/celpip/learn/online-celpip-mock-exam-that-matches-the-real-test-format-260922 · Updated: 2026-10-28

A CELPIP mock exam "looks like the real test" when it copies the official computer-delivered format: four timed sections, single-play audio, typed writing, and recorded speaking — here's how to check.

Key strategies:
- Confirm your mock exam runs Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking in the order Paragon lists them, in one sitting, like the real CELPIP-General.
- Practice listening to each audio clip only once, since the real CELPIP Listening section never allows replays.
- Time yourself against official section limits — 46-55 minutes for Listening, 43-56 for Reading, 53 for Writing, and 15 for Speaking (Paragon's test-format page, checked 25 September 2026).
- Type your Writing answers instead of handwriting them, aiming for 150-200 words per task, since the real test is typed with a spell checker.
- Practice speaking your answers aloud against a timer, because CELPIP Speaking is recorded and scored later by trained raters.
- Review the official CELPIP scoring scale (0-12, mapped to Canadian Language Benchmark levels) so you understand what a mock score actually means.

An online CELPIP mock exam "looks like the real test" when it reproduces the exact structure Paragon Testing built into the actual CELPIP-General: four sections (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) delivered by computer, in one sitting, under roughly 2 hours 50 minutes. If a practice test lets you skip around freely between sections, replay audio, or handwrite your essay, it is not simulating the real exam — and that gap can cost you on test day.

## What the real CELPIP computer format actually does

CELPIP is fully computer-delivered. You use a mouse and keyboard, not paper. 

## Section-by-section, what to check in a mock test

- **Listening (46-55 minutes, 38 questions; all four timings from Paragon's test-format page, checked 25 September 2026):** Audio plays once, covering conversations, problem-solving discussions, news items, and viewpoints. A realistic mock should never offer a replay button.
- **Reading (43-56 minutes, 38 questions):** Four parts: correspondence, apply a diagram, information, and viewpoints.
- **Writing (53 minutes, 2 tasks):** You type an email response and a survey-style response, each targeting 150-200 words. The real test includes a spell checker but not a grammar checker, so a mock exam that auto-corrects your grammar is teaching you the wrong habit.
- **Speaking (15 minutes, 8 tasks):** You reply to on-screen prompts verbally, and trained raters rate your recorded responses afterward. A mock exam worth using should force you to record a timed spoken answer, not just read a prompt silently.

Across Listening and Reading, some unscored items are mixed in for test development and look identical to scored ones — the practical lesson for mock practice is to always answer every question with full effort, since you can't tell which ones count.

## How scoring should be simulated

Real CELPIP results are reported on a 0-12 scale aligned to the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). Listening and Reading are scored by computer with no penalty for wrong answers, while Writing and Speaking are each evaluated by multiple trained, certified raters against standardized criteria. A mock exam that gives you an instant raw percentage instead of a CLB-style band, or that scores Writing/Speaking against a real rubric, is closer to what you'll actually receive as a test taker.

## Using a mock exam effectively

Run a full mock in one sitting, under real time pressure, without pausing between sections — that's the condition that most exposes fatigue-related mistakes, especially late in Reading and during Speaking. Afterward, compare your Writing against the 150-200 word target and your Speaking recordings against the task's time limit, since going significantly under or over either target is a common point loss. ExamStep's CELPIP section includes 1 free mock test and 4 free practice tests among its 11 mock tests and 48 practice tests, built around these same four official sections, if you want a starting point to try this timing approach.

## FAQ

**Does a CELPIP mock exam need to be taken on a computer to be realistic?**
Yes. The real test is entirely computer-delivered with typed Writing and recorded Speaking, so a paper-based or purely multiple-choice mock won't train the skills (typing speed, mic delivery, single-play listening) that the actual exam demands.

**Can I go back to a previous section during a real CELPIP mock, like Listening after starting Reading?**
Paragon's public pages do not describe a rule about revisiting finished sections, so follow the on-screen instructions on test day; a mock that lets you skip around is a looser practice, not a faithful simulation.

**How is CELPIP scored, and should my mock exam show that scale?**
CELPIP scores range from 0 to 12 per section, aligned to Canadian Language Benchmark levels; Listening/Reading are computer-scored and Writing/Speaking are rated by certified raters, so a useful mock should report results this way rather than a plain percentage.

## Sources
- https://www.celpip.ca/take-celpip/test-format/
- https://www.celpip.ca/test-format-scoring/
- https://www.celpip.ca/free-practice-tests/

## CELPIP · Test & Scoring: Latest Express Entry cut-off: turning it into CELPIP score goals
URL: https://examstep.ca/celpip/learn/express-entry-draw-crs-cutoff-celpip-clb · Updated: 2026-10-28

A cut-off doesn't set your language target — the CRS chart does. If one skill is holding back your CLB level, a retake can lift your score; if all four already sit high, a retake likely won't move your rank.

Key strategies:
- Check your CLB level for each CELPIP skill against IRCC's language chart.
- Identify which single skill sits in the lowest CLB band.
- Pick the next CLB level that would raise your CRS language points.
- Update your Express Entry profile as soon as your new CELPIP result arrives.

A lower or higher cut-off in the rounds listed at the end of this page tells you how the pool looked for that one round — it does not hand you a new CLB target. Your language goal should come from the CRS language chart, not from chasing a single round's result. Use the cut-off only to check whether the round type even applies to your profile before you read anything into it.

## Reading a cut-off without over-reading it

- A cut-off is the lowest CRS score among candidates actually invited in that round — it is not a pass mark or a fixed bar you must clear.
- Rounds differ by type: some invite from the whole pool, others only from a program or a category, so cut-offs from different round types aren't directly comparable.
- One round, by itself, doesn't tell you how the next round will behave. Don't redesign your study plan around a single data point from the rounds listed at the end of this page.

## Where your four CELPIP skills enter the CRS

Each of your four CELPIP skills — reading, writing, listening, speaking — is converted to its own CLB level and scored separately inside the core human capital part of the CRS. Having a spouse or common-law partner accompanying you changes the maximum points available per skill compared to applying without one, so your household situation matters as much as your raw CLB level. On top of that, skill transferability combinations can award extra points when a strong first-language CLB level is paired with things like your education credential or your foreign work experience — these are separate add-on combinations, not part of the core language score. For the exact point values tied to each CLB level, spouse situation, and transferability pairing, check IRCC's CRS criteria grid directly rather than estimating.

## When a round targets a category

Some rounds only invite candidates who qualify for a category the Minister has named, on top of meeting the usual Express Entry rules. IRCC currently lists these categories: French-language proficiency, healthcare and social services occupations, STEM occupations, trade occupations, education occupations, transport occupations, physicians with Canadian work experience, senior managers with Canadian work experience, researchers with Canadian work experience, and skilled military recruits. A category round can carry its own language expectation — most obviously the French-language proficiency category — so check the category rules on IRCC's page before assuming a general CLB goal applies. Don't try to guess which category will run next; plan your CLB target from your own profile instead.

## Set your goal in four steps

1. Find your current CLB level for each CELPIP skill using IRCC's CELPIP-to-CLB chart.
2. Spot the single skill sitting in your lowest CLB band — that's the one limiting your score.
3. Choose the next CLB level on the chart that would raise your points, rather than aiming vaguely higher.
4. Re-check your Express Entry profile against the CRS grid once your new CELPIP result is issued.

## Quick answers

**Does a lower cut-off mean I need less English?** No. A cut-off reflects the whole pool's CRS score in one round, not a language rule you must meet — keep aiming at the CLB level your profile actually needs.

**Should I retake only the skill I'm weak in?** Check Paragon's current retake rules on celpip.ca before you book. Whatever you retake, prepare the skill that limits your CLB level first, and keep practising all four skills together.

**Will a new score definitely raise my CRS points?** Only if it moves you into a higher CLB band on IRCC's chart for at least one skill. Check the grid for each skill before you book a retest, since a result in the same band changes nothing.

## Recent rounds, newest first

| Round date | Who could be invited | Invitations sent | Cut-off (lowest CRS invited) |
|---|---|---:|---:|
| 28 Oct 2026 | Transport Occupations, 2026-Version 2 | 150 | 477 |
| 27 Oct 2026 | French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 | 5,000 | 407 |
| 26 Oct 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 792 | 761 |
| 16 Oct 2026 | French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2 | 5,000 | 435 |
| 15 Oct 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 2,500 | 519 |
| 13 Oct 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 752 | 772 |
| 1 Oct 2026 | Trades Occupations, 2026-Version 3 | 3,500 | 476 |
| 29 Sep 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 2,000 | 518 |

*Copied from IRCC's [rounds of invitations page](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/ministerial-instructions/express-entry-rounds/invitations.html?q=453) on 28 October 2026.*

## Official pages used
- [Express Entry rounds of invitations (IRCC)](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/ministerial-instructions/express-entry-rounds/invitations.html?q=451)
- [Comprehensive Ranking System criteria (IRCC)](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/eligibility/criteria-comprehensive-ranking-system/grid.htm)
- [Category-based selection in Express Entry (IRCC)](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/rounds-invitations/category-based-selection.html)
- [Language test equivalency charts (IRCC)](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/standard-requirements/language-requirements.html#charts)

## TOEFL · Test & Scoring: Best Way to Practice the New Shorter TOEFL iBT (2026 Format)
URL: https://examstep.ca/toefl/learn/best-way-to-practice-the-new-shorter-toefl-ibt-2026-format-260908 · Updated: 2026-10-28

The 2026 TOEFL iBT is shorter, and its Reading and Listening sections are two-stage adaptive. Practise on the new task types under real timing, starting from ETS's own documents.

Key strategies:
- Learn the 2026 format from ETS's own documents first (the test-content page and the 2026 specifications), because only ETS can say what the real test contains.
- Practise Reading and Listening against the 2026 clock: both are two-stage adaptive, so a first-stage module (the router) is followed by either a lower or an upper second module (ETS, TOEFL iBT Test Specifications 2026, checked 2026-09-27).
- Rehearse the newer, shorter task types, such as Complete the Words, Read in Daily Life and Build a Sentence, not only long academic passages and lectures.
- Check which scale your target school uses: for a two-year transition period after January 2026, score reports show 1–6 scores and a comparable overall 0–120 score (ETS, TOEFL iBT Score Scale Update page, checked 2026-09-27).
- Give the first-stage module of Reading and Listening your full attention, since how you do there decides which second module you get (our advice, based on ETS's two-stage design).
- Combine ETS's official preparation material with timed full tests and single-section practice, so you get both format accuracy and repetition before test day.

**Free complete practice test:** ExamStep's [free TOEFL iBT practice test in the 2026 format](/toefl/mock-exams) runs all four sections (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking) in the 2026 order, as a slightly shorter sitting of the same paper, with a free account and no card.

No website carries an ETS stamp as the "best" place to practise. What works is simpler: learn the 2026 format from ETS's own documents, because only ETS can say what the real test contains, and then build speed with timed practice on the new task types.

## What Actually Changed in 2026

The test was rebuilt, not just trimmed. In the 2026 specifications, ETS describes Reading and Listening as two-stage adaptive sections. Every test taker starts with a first-stage module, which ETS calls the router. After it comes one of two second-stage modules, a lower one or an upper one, so the second half of each section is pitched easier or harder depending on how the first half went. Writing and Speaking do not adapt: everyone who sits a given form gets the same tasks. (Source: ETS, TOEFL iBT Test Specifications 2026, blueprint notes — checked 2026-09-27.)

That design is why practice material timed for the old fixed-length test gives you the wrong sense of pacing. ETS's test-content page lists base times of roughly 30 minutes for Reading, 29 for Listening, 23 for Writing and 8 for Speaking, with directions not counted, and tells candidates to budget about two hours overall because the timing and the number of items shift as the test adapts. (Source: ETS, TOEFL iBT Test Content page — checked 2026-09-27.)

Scoring changed as well. Each of the four sections now gets a score from 1 to 6 in half-point steps, and the overall score is the mean of those four, rounded to the closest half band. For a two-year transition period after the change, every report also shows a comparable overall 0–120 score, placed at the midpoint of the matching range on the old scale, together with a CEFR level. (Source: ETS, Score Guidance page and TOEFL iBT Score Scale Update page — checked 2026-09-27.)

ETS dates the switch to January 21, 2026: tests taken before that day were reported on the 0–120 scale, and tests from that day on use the 1–6 scale. (Source: ETS, Score Guidance page — checked 2026-09-27.) Anything you practise with should therefore be built for the 2026 version, not the older and longer one.

## How to Practice the Adaptive Reading and Listening Sections

Because the second stage depends on the first, the way you practise should change too:

- **Treat the first stage as the part that counts most.** It decides whether you move on to the lower or the upper second module, so careless early answers cost more than they seem to. (Our advice, based on the two-stage design in ETS's 2026 specifications.)
- **Time yourself against the 2026 lengths.** The specifications give Reading a router of 18 to 21 minutes followed by a 9-minute second module, and Listening an 18-minute router followed by a second module of 7 minutes (lower) or 11 minutes (upper). (Source: ETS, TOEFL iBT Test Specifications 2026 — checked 2026-09-27.)
- **Mix everyday and academic material.** The same specifications set Reading and Listening in both social and academic contexts, across CEFR levels from A1 up to C2, so short daily-life texts and campus conversations belong in your practice next to academic passages and talks. (Source: ETS, TOEFL iBT Test Specifications 2026 — checked 2026-09-27.)

## Rehearsing the New Task Types

ETS's test-content page names the 2026 task types, and its section pages explain each one (Source: ETS, TOEFL iBT Test Content page and section pages — checked 2026-09-27). In short:

| Section | Task type (ETS's name) | What you actually do |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | Complete the Words | Fill in words that are partly missing from a short text |
| Reading | Read in Daily Life | Answer questions on short everyday texts such as notices and messages |
| Reading | Read an Academic Passage | Answer questions on a short university-style passage |
| Listening | Listen and Choose a Response | Hear one spoken line and pick the most fitting reply |
| Listening | Listen to a Conversation | Follow a talk between two people, mostly about campus life |
| Listening | Listen to an Announcement | Catch the purpose and key details of a campus or class notice |
| Listening | Listen to an Academic Talk | Follow a short lecture by a professor or expert |
| Writing | Build a Sentence | Put words and phrases in order to make a correct sentence or question |
| Writing | Write an Email | Write an email for a practical purpose, such as a request |
| Writing | Write for an Academic Discussion | Add your own view to an online class discussion and support it |
| Speaking | Listen and Repeat | Repeat short sentences exactly as you hear them |
| Speaking | Take an Interview | Answer interview questions about your experience and opinions |

Good practice covers every row, not only the long academic reading and lecture items that dominated the old test.

## A Simple Study Sequence

1. Read ETS's test-content page and the 2026 specifications so you know the task types, the timing and how scores are reported.
2. Take [one complete practice test](/toefl/mock-exams) under real timing to get a baseline.
3. Work on your weakest section with shorter, timed sets built on the 2026 task types.
4. Check which scale your target school asks for (1–6, 0–120 or both) before your test date.

On ExamStep, a free account includes TOEFL iBT practice in every skill and a full mock test in the 2026 format. One difference from the real test: our full tests run both Reading and Listening modules in order instead of routing you to one of them, and the [mock exams page](/toefl/mock-exams) explains why.

## FAQ

**Is the new TOEFL iBT shorter for everyone starting in 2026?**
Yes. ETS dates the change to January 21, 2026, so any TOEFL iBT taken from that day is the updated test (Source: ETS, Score Guidance page — checked 2026-09-27). ETS's 2026 specifications estimate total testing time at 1 hr 23 min to 1 hr 29 min, while ETS's own content page from December 2025 put the old test at just under two hours (Source: ETS, TOEFL iBT Test Specifications 2026 and archived TOEFL iBT Test Content page — checked 2026-09-27).

**Will universities still accept the old 0–120 score?**
Each institution sets its own rules, so check with the schools you are applying to. What ETS provides is a bridge: for a two-year transition period after January 2026, every score report shows a comparable overall 0–120 score (the midpoint of the corresponding range) next to the 1–6 scores and the CEFR level (Source: ETS, TOEFL iBT Score Scale Update page — checked 2026-09-27).

**Does the adaptive format mean the test gets harder if I do well?**
Only in Reading and Listening, and only once per section. Both are two-stage adaptive: everyone takes a first-stage module (the router), and how you do on it decides whether your second module is the lower or the upper one. Writing and Speaking stay the same for everyone on a form (Source: ETS, TOEFL iBT Test Specifications 2026 — checked 2026-09-27).

## Sources
All checked 2026-09-27.
- ETS, TOEFL iBT Test Specifications 2026 (blueprint): https://www.ets.org/content/dam/ets-org/pdfs/toefl/toefl-ibt-test-specifications-2026.pdf
- ETS, TOEFL iBT Test Content page: https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/about/content.html
- ETS, TOEFL iBT Score Guidance page: https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/scores/understand-scores.html
- ETS, TOEFL iBT Score Scale Update page: https://www.ets.org/toefl/score-users/ibt/score-scale-update.html
- ETS, TOEFL iBT section pages (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking): https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/about/content/reading.html
- ETS, archived TOEFL iBT Test Content page (30 December 2025): https://web.archive.org/web/20251230022947/https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/about/content.html

## TOEFL · Test & Scoring: TOEFL iBT Score to CEFR Level: The Official 1-6 Band Chart
URL: https://examstep.ca/toefl/learn/toefl-ibt-score-to-cefr-level-the-official-1-6-band-chart-260909 · Updated: 2026-10-28

See exactly how the new TOEFL iBT 1-6 band score (launched January 2026) lines up with CEFR levels A1 through C2, based on ETS's own alignment table.

Key strategies:
- Check your TOEFL iBT total band against the ETS CEFR table below instead of guessing from an old 0-120 score alone.
- Remember that a band of 5 or 5.5 on any TOEFL iBT section means CEFR C1 for that skill, unlike the old 0-120 scale where CEFR levels shifted at different cut points per section.
- Expect your score report to show your CEFR level, your 1–6 scores, and a comparable overall 0–120 score for two years after January 2026, while institutions transition to the new scale.
- Use a band of 4.0 (CEFR B2) as the typical minimum many undergraduate programs ask for, and 5.0 (CEFR C1) as a common graduate-program benchmark.
- Match each of your four section bands to the same CEFR chart, since ETS uses identical numeric bands across Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing for a given CEFR level.
- Verify any score requirement directly on the ETS TOEFL score pages before applying, since institutions may still list old 0-120 cutoffs during the transition period.

On the TOEFL iBT scored on the new 1-6 band scale (launched January 21, 2026), CEFR levels map directly: 1-1.5 = A1, 2-2.5 = A2, 3-3.5 = B1, 4-4.5 = B2, 5-5.5 = C1, and 6 = C2. This applies to your total score and to each of the four section scores (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), because ETS built the new scale so the same number means the same CEFR level everywhere on the test.

## The official ETS conversion table

| Band score | CEFR level |
|---|---|
| 6 | C2 |
| 5.5 | C1 |
| 5 | C1 |
| 4.5 | B2 |
| 4 | B2 |
| 3.5 | B1 |
| 3 | B1 |
| 2.5 | A2 |
| 2 | A2 |
| 1.5 | A1 |
| 1 | A1 |

This table applies to the overall score and to each individual section score, per ETS's published alignment.

## Why this changed in 2026

Before January 21, 2026, TOEFL iBT reported a 0-120 total (each of four sections scored 0-30), and the CEFR cut points fell at different raw scores depending on the section. ETS redesigned the scale so every section and the total now use the same 1-6 bands in half-point steps, making the CEFR link consistent across skills. For example, under the new system a 4.0 in Speaking and a 4.0 in Reading both mean B2, whereas under the old scale a "B2-equivalent" Speaking score and Reading score often sat at different points out of 30.

## What score reports look like during the transition

For two years after the January 2026 launch, ETS is printing three figures on every score report: your CEFR level, your 1–6 scores (overall and per section), and a comparable overall 0–120 score, so institutions still using older cutoffs can interpret results. As reference points, ETS's comparison table shows a band of 5.0 as equivalent to a 0–120 total of 95 and up, 4.5 to 86 and up, and 4.0 to 72 and up; the comparable 0–120 score on a report is the midpoint of that range.

## Example: reading a mixed section report

Say your report shows Reading 4.5, Listening 5, Speaking 4, Writing 4.5, for a total of 4.5. By the table above, that's B2 in Reading, C1 in Listening, B2 in Speaking, and B2 in Writing — an overall B2 profile with one C1 skill. A university asking for "CEFR B2 overall" would generally accept this profile; one asking for "C1 in every section" would not, since three sections sit at B2.

## Checking program requirements

Because many institutions are still updating their websites, a listed cutoff like "TOEFL 80" may refer to the old 0-120 scale rather than the new bands. Always check whether a score requirement was published before or after January 2026, and when in doubt, ask the admissions office which scale they mean.

## FAQ

**Does a band of 5 always mean C1, no matter which section?**
Yes. ETS designed the 1-6 scale so the same band number corresponds to the same CEFR level for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing, and the total score.

**Will my old 0-120 TOEFL score still be accepted?**
Each institution sets its own requirements. For two years after January 2026 ETS score reports also show a comparable overall 0–120 score, so confirm with each institution which scale it accepts.

**What CEFR level do I need for a typical undergraduate program?**
Requirements vary by school and program — ETS sets no passing score — so always confirm the exact figure with the specific program.

If you want to practice before test day, ExamStep offers free TOEFL iBT practice tests you can use to see how your current skills line up against these CEFR bands.

## Sources
- https://www.ets.org/toefl/institutions/ibt/score-scale-update.html

## TOEFL · Test & Scoring: How to Prepare for the 2026 TOEFL iBT in One Month
URL: https://examstep.ca/toefl/learn/how-to-prepare-for-the-2026-toefl-ibt-in-one-month-260922 · Updated: 2026-10-28

A 4-week study plan for the 2026 TOEFL iBT: learn the redesigned four-section format (about 1 hr 23 min to 1 hr 29 min of testing, with adaptive Reading and Listening), then build skills, drill timing, and rehearse test-day logistics before your exam.

Key strategies:
- Learn the redesigned 2026 format first — Reading (about 30 min), Listening (about 29 min), Writing (about 23 min), Speaking (about 8 min), as listed by ETS, with no scheduled break; the Writing tasks are Build a Sentence, Write an Email and Write for an Academic Discussion.
- Register with ETS at least three weeks ahead and pick test center or Home Edition early, since express registration within 7 days of your test date adds a US$49 fee.
- Spend week two practicing the new task types directly — "Read in Daily Life" texts, four Listening task types, two natural Speaking tasks, and three Writing contexts — instead of studying only old-format materials.
- Take at least two full-length timed mock tests during week three so you experience the adaptive Reading and Listening sections, where question difficulty shifts based on your performance.
- In your final week, stop learning new content and instead re-time weak sections, confirm your ID and equipment (for Home Edition), and rest the day before the exam.
- Understand the new 1–6 band score before test day so you're not confused by your report — your overall score is the average of your four section bands, and a comparable 0–120 score also appears through the 2026–2028 transition.

If you have one month before your 2026 TOEFL iBT, the fastest path to a good score is: spend week 1 learning the new format and registering, weeks 2–3 building skills and doing timed full-length practice, and week 4 tapering down with light review and logistics checks. The 2026 exam is shorter and structured differently from the pre-2026 TOEFL, so a month is workable only if you study the current format from day one.

## Know What Changed in 2026

Since January 21, 2026, the TOEFL iBT has four sections listed by ETS in this order — Reading (about 30 minutes, 50 items), Listening (about 29 minutes, 47 items), Writing (about 23 minutes, 12 items), and Speaking (about 8 minutes, 11 items) — with no scheduled break. ETS asks you to allow approximately two hours to complete the test (test time does not include directions). The Reading and Listening sections are now adaptive: your performance on early material affects the difficulty of what comes next, so test time and item counts can vary slightly test to test. There are no more integrated tasks and no independent essay; Writing now uses three separate real-world and academic writing contexts instead. Scores are reported on a new 1–6 band scale (your overall score is the average of your four section bands, rounded to the nearest half band), with a comparable 0–120 score also shown during a two-year transition period so universities can adjust.

## Week 1: Diagnose and Register

Take one full, timed practice test in the new format to see your starting point in each of the four sections. Create your ETS account and register for a test date now — registering close to your target date isn't a problem, but registering within 7 days of the exam adds a US$49 express fee, and rescheduling later costs US$69. Decide between a test center and TOEFL iBT Home Edition, which you take on your own computer at home while a live proctor monitors you — check ETS's Home Edition requirements first.

## Weeks 2–3: Build Skills, Then Drill Under Time

Work section by section on the actual 2026 task types rather than legacy TOEFL formats. For Reading, practice short, non-academic texts (emails, memos, notices) alongside longer academic passages, since "Read in Daily Life" items are new. For Listening, practice all four current task types covering both campus and everyday situations. For Speaking, since there are only two task types now, drill natural, unscripted responses rather than memorized templates. For Writing, practice all three contexts so you're not caught off guard by an unfamiliar prompt style. By week 3, shift to full-length timed mock tests — do at least two — so you feel the adaptive Reading and Listening sections respond to your answers, and review every missed question to find your real gaps, not just your final score.

## Week 4: Taper and Prepare Logistically

Stop introducing new material. Re-take shorter timed sections in your weakest area, confirm your test-day documents and equipment, and read the confirmation email carefully for check-in requirements. Sleep and pacing matter more than cramming in the final 48 hours.

ExamStep's TOEFL section offers 526 practice questions and 40 practice tests, including 4 free ones, plus 10 full mock tests with 1 available free, which is a useful way to get timed reps in during weeks 2 and 3.

## FAQ

**Is one month enough time to prepare for the new TOEFL iBT?**
Yes, for most test-takers, if you study the current 2026 format from the start and prioritize timed full-length practice in weeks 2–3 rather than passive review.

**What is the biggest format change to prepare for in 2026?**
The Reading and Listening sections are now adaptive and there are no integrated tasks or independent essay — Writing instead uses three separate real-world and academic contexts, so old-format essay practice won't transfer directly.

**How is the new TOEFL score calculated?**
Each of the four sections gets a band from 1.0 to 6.0, and your overall score is the average of those four bands, rounded to the nearest half band; a comparable 0–120 score also appears on reports through the 2026–2028 transition.

## Sources
- https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/about/content.html
- https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/register/fees.html
- https://www.eu.ets.org/pdfs/toefl/toefl-ibt-test-specifications-2026.pdf

## TOEFL · Test & Scoring: Best TOEFL iBT Preparation for the New 2026 Format
URL: https://examstep.ca/toefl/learn/best-toefl-ibt-preparation-for-the-new-2026-format-260922 · Updated: 2026-10-28

A guide to choosing TOEFL iBT prep for the 2026 format update, covering ETS's new adaptive sections, timing, and 1-6 scoring scale, plus a practical study checklist.

Key strategies:
- Start every study plan with ETS's official TOEFL iBT page to confirm the current section order, timing, and question counts before trusting any third-party summary.
- Practice the three task types introduced in 2026 — word completion in Reading, listen-and-repeat in Speaking, and sentence-building in Writing — since they did not exist on the pre-2026 test.
- Rehearse full sessions at roughly 90 minutes with no scheduled break, matching how the new adaptive Reading and Listening sections actually run.
- Confirm whether your target university lists score requirements on the new 1-6 band scale or the older 0-120 scale, since ETS reports both for a two-year transition period after January 2026.
- Register more than 7 days before your test date through ETS directly; registering within 7 days adds a US$49 express registration fee.
- Take at least one full-length timed mock test before test day so the fixed Reading-Listening-Writing-Speaking order and pacing feel familiar, not stressful.

The best TOEFL iBT preparation for 2026 is material built around ETS's actual current test: four sections (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking), adaptive Reading and Listening, and a 1-6 band score. Before trusting any study guide, check it against ETS's own pages — a resource that still describes the old test (just under two hours, scored 0-120) is describing a version of TOEFL that no longer exists.

## What Changed in the 2026 TOEFL iBT

ETS rolled out a redesigned TOEFL iBT starting January 21, 2026. The test now runs about 90 minutes of testing time (ETS estimates 1 hr 23 min to 1 hr 29 min) with no scheduled break; test time does not include directions, and ETS asks you to allow approximately two hours to complete the test. The four sections, listed by ETS in this order, are:

- **Reading** (about 30 minutes, 50 items) — Complete the Words, Read in Daily Life and Read an Academic Passage
- **Listening** (about 29 minutes, 47 items) — covers response selection, conversations, announcements, and academic talks
- **Writing** (about 23 minutes, 12 items) — includes a new sentence-building task plus email and academic discussion writing
- **Speaking** (about 8 minutes, 11 items) — includes a new "listen and repeat" task plus interview-style responses

Reading and Listening are now multistage adaptive, meaning question difficulty adjusts to your performance in real time, which is why item counts and exact timing can vary slightly test to test. Speaking and Writing responses are partly scored by ETS’s AI scoring: the 2026 Test Specifications label the Speaking tasks and the Write an Email and Write for an Academic Discussion tasks "AI Scored", while Build a Sentence is machine scored.

## The New 1-6 Scoring Scale

Since January 2026, each section and the overall test are scored on a 1-6 scale in half-point increments, aligned to CEFR levels, replacing the familiar 0-120/0-30 scale. Your overall score is the average of the four section scores, rounded to the nearest half band. For a two-year transition period after January 2026, ETS also prints a comparable overall 0-120 score on the same report, so you don't need to convert anything yourself — but you should check whether the school you're applying to has updated its published requirement to the 1-6 scale yet, since institutions are switching over at different times.

## A Practical 2026 Study Checklist

1. Read ETS's own "Test Content and Structure" page first, not a summary of it, so your mental model of the test matches what you'll actually sit for.
2. Drill the three brand-new task types specifically — they have no direct equivalent on older practice material, so pre-2026 prep books may not cover them at all.
3. Time practice sections individually (30 / 29 / 23 / 8 minutes) and then run at least one full session back to back with no break, since the real test gives you none.
4. Note your target score on both scales (1-6 and 0-120) so you can read any school's requirement correctly during the transition period.
5. 5. Register through ETS and register more than 7 days before your test date to avoid the US$49 express registration fee.

ExamStep's TOEFL section includes 526 practice questions across 10 mock tests and 40 practice tests, with 1 free mock test and 4 free practice tests, so you can try the adaptive Reading and Listening format before deciding how much more practice you need.

## FAQ

**Is the TOEFL iBT still 0-120 in 2026?**
No — since January 2026, ETS reports scores on a new 1-6 scale per section and overall. Score reports also show a comparable overall 0-120 score for a two-year transition period after January 2026 while institutions update their requirements.

**How long is the 2026 TOEFL iBT?**
Testing time is about 90 minutes across four sections with no scheduled break; ETS asks you to allow approximately two hours to complete the test.

**What's genuinely new in the 2026 format?**
Three task types were added — word completion in Reading, listen and repeat in Speaking, and sentence building in Writing — and Reading and Listening became multistage adaptive.

## Sources
- https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/about/content.html
- https://www.ets.org/toefl/institutions/ibt/score-scale-update.html
- https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/scores/understand-scores.html