CELPIP Writing Practice Test 1

CELPIP Writing Practice Test 1 is a free, full-length CELPIP writing test built for the latest 2026 format. It mirrors the real exam exactly: two tasks, a 53-minute time limit, and the same on-screen editor. You get about 27 minutes for Task 1 and 26 minutes for Task 2, and when Task 1 time runs out the test moves you on automatically, just like test day. When you finish, your writing is evaluated by CELPIP experts and you receive a CLB band score with detailed feedback.

What is in this CELPIP writing test?

This test uses the two standard CELPIP writing tasks. Task 1 is Writing an Email, and in this practice test the required register is a formal email. You are asked to write to a restaurant's manager after a disappointing dinner: you made a reservation at a famous, expensive restaurant, but the food and the service were poor and no one solved the problem while you were there. Your email of about 150 to 200 words must state the problems with the food, complain about the service, and describe how you want the restaurant to put things right.

Task 2 is Responding to Survey Questions. You live in a small town of 10,000 people, and the city wants to develop a large green area in the town centre. You must choose between a shopping complex and a recreational park, then explain the reasons for your choice in about 150 to 200 words. The key rule in Task 2 is simple: pick one option and argue for it clearly. If you drift between the two options, your task fulfilment score drops.

Formal email: what the experts look for

Because Task 1 here is a formal email, tone matters. A strong formal CELPIP email opens with an appropriate greeting, states its purpose in the first line, and keeps a polite, professional register throughout, even while making a complaint. Cover every bullet point, because task fulfilment is scored directly and missing a bullet caps your band. Writing an informal, chatty email for a formal prompt is a common mistake, and our evaluation applies a penalty when the register does not match the task, so practising the right tone here pays off.

How your writing is scored

Both tasks are evaluated by CELPIP experts against the official descriptors, on four criteria: Content and Coherence (30%), Vocabulary (20%), Readability (25%) and Task Fulfilment (25%). Each criterion is scored from 1 to 12 and combined into a weighted band. You will see your overall band, a breakdown by criterion, an overall feedback summary, error highlights that mark your mistakes in red with the correction in green, and a polished high-band version of your answer so you can see exactly how to improve. Most permanent residence applicants aim for CLB 9 or above in writing.

Tips for this test

• Spend two or three minutes planning before you type. Note your purpose and main points so your email stays focused.
• In the formal email, keep the tone polite and professional, and address every bullet point in order.
• In Task 2, choose one option in the first sentence, then give at least two developed reasons with examples.
• Aim for 150 to 200 words per task, and leave a minute to check spelling, verb tenses and punctuation.
• Take the test in Exam mode first for real timing, then review the expert feedback and model samples.