How is CELPIP writing scored?

The four marking dimensions

Content and coherence looks at whether your ideas answer the task and follow in a clear order. One paragraph should do one job.

Vocabulary looks at whether your words are accurate and varied. A plain word used correctly beats a rare word used badly.

Readability covers sentence control and grammar. It also covers punctuation and spelling. A reader should move through the answer without stopping to repair a sentence.

Task fulfillment asks whether you covered every required point in the prompt. A fluent email that answers two of three points still loses marks here.

Task 1: the email

The email gives you an everyday situation and usually three points to cover. Say why you are writing in the first line, then give each point its own place.

A useful split is three to four minutes to read and plan, about 17 minutes to write, and five minutes to check. The task 1 guide calls this a teaching suggestion rather than a rule.

One specific detail lifts a sentence. "The lane is narrow, so a cart left by the gate blocks bicycles" tells the reader more than "this is a problem".

Task 2: the survey response

The survey gives you two options, and you choose one. Put your choice in the first sentence. Give two reasons, then follow each reason to a result.

A reason says why. A strong reason says what happens because of it. "The park costs less, so the council could spend the savings on a second bus route" does both jobs.

The survey guide has a 26-minute plan for this task. Use the writing timer once so the clock stops surprising you. Then put both results into the CLB calculator and compare each skill with your target.

Questions about writing marks