1. Practise with the real timers
Time pressure changes how you speak. Always practise with the real preparation and speaking times so you learn what 60 and 90 seconds feel like.
2. Read your own transcript
Listening back is uncomfortable but useful; reading a transcript is even faster. Look for repeated words, unfinished sentences and missing reasons.
3. Re-record the same prompt
Fix three things — usually one vague word, one missing example and one weak ending — then record the same prompt again. Improvement on a familiar prompt transfers to new ones.
4. Build topic vocabulary
Collect phrases for common CELPIP topics: housing, transport, work, community, health, technology. Use five new phrases in your answers this week.
5. Rotate through all eight tasks
Learners often practise their favourite tasks. Rotate so that Tasks 5, 6 and 7 — usually the hardest — get regular practice.