CAEL

Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL)

This test is designed to measure the English language proficiency of students planning to study in Canadian post-secondary institutions. CAEL is one of the best tools for identifying students with the right English skills for academic success. It provides an authentic representation of language use in a Canadian academic context. Test takers read articles, listen to a lecture, answer questions, and write a short essay, as they would be expected to do in a first-year Canadian university or college classroom.
CAEL is now available as a computer-delivered test, known as CAEL CE (Computer Edition). CAEL CE has been improved to deliver all four components (reading, listening, writing, and speaking) by computer in a single test sitting. The total allotted test time is approximately 145 minutes (2 hours and 25 minutes). Some test centres offer the CAEL Assessment over 2 days, with the Written Assessment and the OLT held on separate days. The CAEL Assessment has two parts: Part 1, the Written Assessment and Part 2, the Oral Language Test (OLT).

CAEL CE test takers use what they have read and listened to in order to answer Speaking and Writing questions.

CAEL Test Pattern

Reading Section 1

25 minutes

Listening Section

20 minutes

Reading Section 2

30 minutes

Writing Section

45 minutes

READING

The time allotted for the Reading section is 55 minutes. Test takers are given two readings that are on the same topic as the Listening and Writing components. The readings are taken from the following sources:

  • First-year university textbooks

  • Magazine and academic journal articles

  • Brochures or information leaflets

  • Newspaper articles

  • Graphs and charts

  • Government documents

Reading Tasks Include:

  • Identifying main ideas

  • Extracting specific information

  • Understanding vocabulary in context

  • Classifying information

  • Following a logical or chronological sequence of events

LISTENING

The time allotted for the Listening section is 20 minutes. Test takers listen to a pre-recorded lecture and answer relevant questions on the same topic as the Reading and Writing components

  • The lecture is adapted from a first-year university course.

  • The recording is played only once.

  • While they listen, test takers take notes and answer questions related to the lecture.

Listening Tasks Include:

  • Identifying main ideas

  • Completing charts and diagrams

  • Taking notes

  • Sequencing information

  • Filling in the blanks

  • Recording specific information

WRITING

The time allotted for the Writing section 45 minutes. Test takers will use the information from the Reading and Listening components to write a short essay. It is encouraged that test takers plan their essays prior to writing.

  • The essay is always the final task of the test

  • The essay topic is always provided at the beginning of the test

  • The essays are typically one to two pages in length

The essay topic asks the test taker to:

  • Agree or disagree with a claim

  • Argue for or against a position

  • Discuss advantages and disadvantages of a course of action

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