CAEL

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About

The Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Test is aimed at evaluating the language skills of the students who aspire to study at the universities and colleges of Canada.

This test is one of the most effective tools to measure the English language skills of the candidates for being successful in the Canadian educational institutes since it is an adequate representation of the type of the English language that is being used at the Canadian colleges and universities. Similar to what they would have to face in a Canadian education institute, the participants of this test take the reading, listening, speaking and writing tasks.

It is a computer-delivered test where you are able to check the time and word counting for each task. You receive the test report within 8 business days, and the scores are shared with five colleges or educational institutes. The test is accepted in more than 180+ universities in Canada.

Test Format

As we mentioned earlier, it is a computer-delivered test and the participants have to complete the test in one sitting of about three and a half hours. Similar to IELTS and many other English testing programs, it covers four modules, reading, speaking, listening and writing. However, it is different in many ways, as the test takers have to speak and write on a similar subject on which they have attempted reading and listening. In that way, it provides you with a context.

There is a catch though; there are some unscored items in each test for development purposes. These items can be anywhere in the test and are no different from the scored ones. Therefore, a candidate requires to attempt all the questions with due diligence.

The test consists of the following five parts.

  • You need to reply to on-screen prompts verbally. The time for tasks is around 7 – 10 minutes.

    • Independent Speaking A

      Your professor will ask you a question connected to studies, art, music, literature and other topics linked with the academics.

    • Independent Speaking B

      Your professor will ask you a question connected to studies, art, music, literature and other topics linked with the academics.

    • Speaking on a Visual

      You will be presented with an informative graph that you will have to describe.

  • You need to read passages and reply to questions. You will get around 35 – 50 minutes for these tasks.

    • Short Reading

      It consists of a short reading passage with three questions, connected to a situation that might occur in your initial course period. The questions can be sentence completion, matching, multiple-choice questions with a single answer or multiple-choice questions with multiple answers.

    • Long Reading

      It consists of a long reading passage with 11 questions, connected to academic topics. The questions can be sentence completion, matching, multiple-choice questions with a single answer or multiple-choice questions with multiple answers.

    • Speaking on Long Reading

      A single question will be asked and it will be related to the topic of the Long Reading. Therefore, you are required to use that information in this task.

  • Listen to passages and reply to written and spoken questions. You will get around 25 – 35 minutes for these tasks.

    • Short Listening

      It consists of a short listening with three questions, connected to a situation that might occur in your initial course period. The questions can be sentence completion, matching, multiple-choice questions with a single answer or multiple-choice questions with multiple answers.

    • Long Listening

      It consists of a long listening passage with 11 questions, connected to academic topics. The questions can be sentence completion, matching, multiple-choice questions with a single answer or multiple-choice questions with multiple answers.

    • Speaking on Long Listening

      A single question will be asked and it will be related to the topic of the Long Listening. Therefore, you are required to use that information in this task.

  • You will need to answer comprehension questions and write a reply. There will be one writing question requiring a long response, using material from both the long reading passage and the long listening passage. You will get around 60 – 70 minutes for these tasks.

    • Long Reading

      It consists of a long reading passage with 11 questions, connected to academic topics. The questions can be sentence completion, matching, multiple-choice questions with a single answer or multiple-choice questions with multiple answers.

    • Long Listening

      It consists of a long listening passage with 11 questions, connected to academic topics. The questions can be sentence completion, matching, multiple-choice questions with a single answer or multiple-choice questions with multiple answers.

    • Long Writing

      You will have to attempt one long writing task based on reading and listening.

  • You will need to answer comprehension questions and write a reply. There will be one writing question requiring a short response, using material from both the long reading passage and the long listening passage. You will get around 40 – 45 minutes for these tasks.

    • Long Reading

      It consists of a long reading passage with 11 questions, connected to academic topics. The questions can be sentence completion, matching, multiple-choice questions with a single answer or multiple-choice questions with multiple answers.

    • Long Listening

      It consists of a long listening passage with 11 questions, connected to academic topics. The questions can be sentence completion, matching, multiple-choice questions with a single answer or multiple-choice questions with multiple answers.

    • Short Writing

      You will have to attempt one short writing task based on reading and listening.



CAEL CE Band Descriptor CAEL CE Score
Expert: Demonstrates a high level of competence, accuracy, and effectiveness in academic/professional settings 80 - 90
Adept: Uses generally accurate language in most settings; some limitations in flexibility are evident 70
Advanced: Displays competence in academic or professional settings 60
High Intermediate: Exhibits some competence in academic or professional settings; communication may break down in places 50
Intermediate: Demonstrates some ability to comprehend and articulate complex ideas and arguments typical of academic or professional settings. 40
High Beginner: Expresses basic ideas about familiar topics in routine settings 30
Low Beginner: Communicates with limited ability 10-20

The scoring system of the Listening and Reading tests is automated through the computer. Expert CAEL CE evaluators check and mark the Writing and Speaking tests.