IELTS is much easier and straightforward than CELPIP
I started preparing for CELPIP on February 19, 2026, and initially booked my test for March 7, 2026. I began practicing using the CELPIP YouTube channel CareerAxis because someone suggested it to me. However, I found it very difficult and not very useful for my preparation.
By February 26th, I realized I was very nervous and felt that I would not achieve my desired score. Because of that, I postponed my exam to April 11, 2026.
After almost four weeks of preparation, I sat for the exam. During the test, I felt that listening would be the section I might not pass. Later, on April 14, I received my results: Listening 6, Reading 5, Writing 8, and Speaking 8. I was devastated and cried.
After that, my husband suggested that I take IELTS General Training because I was already familiar with it. I booked my IELTS test for May 2, 2026.
After booking the test, I practiced the regular IELTS materials available in the test taker portal. I also watched videos by Asad Yaqub, IELTS daily, and E2 IELTS. Then I sat for the exam. Overall, the exam went well, but because of my previous disappointment, I still felt worried that I might not get my desired score.
Then, on May 3, I finally received the score I needed for my PGWP application (L: 6.5, R: 6.5, W: 6, S: 6.5).
Looking back, I feel that I started on the wrong path because I followed someone else’s advice without thinking about whether it suited me. This experience taught me an important lesson: listen to others, but make decisions based on what feels right for you, specifically when it is related with money and own efforts.