Common Errors to Avoid on the Writing Component of the CELPIP Test
For many CELPIP test takers, the writing component is the one that requires the most focus and effort. Preparing for it can take time and practice, but it will also be one of the most rewarding parts due to the boost in your English skills.
Preparation Resources for CELPIP
As you prepare for the writing section of the CELPIP Test, be aware of the most common mistakes and work to avoid them. These are errors that many native English speakers make, regardless of their skill level. Avoiding these mistakes will help you maximize your score potential.
Sentence Structure
These are some of the most common mistakes our raters notice on the CELPIP Test. Varying the length and type of your sentences is a great way to demonstrate your writing skills, but be mindful of common errors, including:
Sentence fragments: Incomplete sentences missing a subject, a verb, or a complete thought.
Run-on sentences: Two or more sentences joined incorrectly without proper punctuation or conjunctions.
Comma splices: A kind of run-on sentence where two sentences are joined only with a comma, which is too weak to separate them.
How to improve:
Review your grammar: Take the time to understand grammatical rules and study examples of correct grammar.
Get feedback: Review your writing with a friend, coworker, or family member to see what errors they can spot.
Practice: Use your preparation time to write practice emails or messages, reviews for restaurants or movies, or any task that helps you develop your writing skills.
Proofread: Review your writing to make sure you’re following the rules!
Word Order
To make your writing clear, concise, and practical, one of the most important aspects to remember is using the correct word order. In a properly structured sentence, the word order should be: Subject + Auxiliary Verb + Verb + Object. An example of incorrect and correct word order is:
Incorrect: I have played for six years tennis.
Correct: I have played tennis for six years.
How to improve:
Practice and memorize: As with all of your English skills, frequent practice will help you internalize and remember the correct word order.
Plan your writing: The more time you spend planning before you write, the easier it will be to complete your writing tasks.
Word clarity: If you are concerned about the word order in more complex sentences, use shorter sentences more often throughout your writing, and avoid potential mistakes.
Preparation Resources for CELPIP
Punctuation
Some of the most common punctuation mistakes on the CELPIP Test include overusing commas, placing a period at the end of a question when a question mark is needed, excessive exclamation points, and capitalization errors.
How to improve:
Commas: Avoid adding commas where they are not needed, and focus on using them in a series. This includes using them to list items or to separate two related sentences. Think of a comma as a natural pause and use it when providing related but not essential information.
Exclamation points: Avoid overusing exclamation marks, as they can make the reader feel like they are being shouted at. Use them sparingly. If you want to emphasize a point, focus on your vocabulary first and only use an exclamation point when truly necessary, not just to underline a point.
Capitalization: Most capitalization occurs at the beginning of a new sentence after a period or with proper nouns, such as specific places or people’s names. Avoid capitalizing common nouns, as this is a common mistake. For example, your dog’s name, Spot, should be capitalized. However, when referring to dogs in general, do not capitalize the common noun.
Incorrect: My Dog Spot loves to chew tennis balls.
Correct: My dog Spot loves to chew tennis balls.
Time Management
Although not a writing mistake, test takers who don’t carefully manage their time may not finish all the questions and responses on the CELPIP Test, which can affect their scores. Managing your time well will help you stay calm, focused, and improve your results.
How to manage your time:
The CELPIP Practice Tests provide an easy way to experience the test format at home and include timers which will let you know how much time is allotted for each test component.
Read instructions carefully! The CELPIP Test has specific directions that help you manage your time effectively, so follow these prompts to stay on track.
Save time for review. For the written part of the test, allocate a few extra minutes to re-read what you’ve written and carefully check for the common errors we’ve mentioned above.
Are you looking for more ways to prepare for your CELPIP test? Join a free live webinar hosted by a CELPIP Expert, such as CELPIP Writing Pro! Discover our upcoming webinars and register for a session today!
