Listening Strategy
CELPIP Listening Part 6 — Tips and Strategy
Last updated: June 2026
Listening Part 6 is a multi-person discussion — typically two people talking about a workplace, social, or community topic. You answer 8 questions based on the conversation. It is longer and more complex than Parts 1–5, and scores here have a large impact on your overall Listening level.
Format
2-speaker discussion
Questions
8 questions
Audio length
~2–3 minutes
6 tips for Part 6
Read all 8 questions before the audio starts
You get a brief preview window. Scan all questions, not just the first two. Knowing what you are listening for means you will notice the relevant detail when it appears — instead of realising what you needed after the audio ends.
Track speakers by voice and name, not by position
Part 6 involves two or more speakers. From the first 10 seconds, mentally label them: 'high voice = Maria' or 'deeper = Paul'. Questions often ask what a specific speaker said, so misidentifying the speaker loses a mark.
Note agreements and disagreements in the margin
Part 6 discussions typically show two people with slightly different views. Every time you hear one speaker agree or push back on the other, note it with a '+' or '−'. Questions about agreement/disagreement are common.
Do not write complete sentences — use abbreviations
Notes that slow your listening are worse than no notes. Use single words and arrows: 'M → prefers hybrid' rather than 'Maria thinks the hybrid schedule is better for employees'. You have seconds, not minutes.
For vocabulary questions, use the context around the word
Some Part 6 questions ask what a word or phrase means in context. Even if you do not know the word, the sentence before and after almost always tells you. Eliminate answers that do not fit the surrounding meaning.
The audio does not repeat — save review time for the end
Unlike some listening tests, CELPIP does not play the audio twice. If you miss something, move on and guess — do not dwell. At the end of each part, you get review time. Use it for the questions you skipped, not re-reading already-answered ones.
The 6 question types in Part 6
| Type | What to listen for |
|---|---|
| Main idea | What is the discussion mainly about? — answered by the opening 20 seconds |
| Speaker's position | What does Speaker A think about ___? — note keywords from questions before audio |
| Agreement / disagreement | Which point do both speakers agree on? — track with +/− notes |
| Detail / fact | According to Speaker B, how many ___? — listen for numbers, names, specific facts |
| Vocabulary in context | What does 'X' most likely mean? — use surrounding sentences, not prior knowledge |
| Inference | What can be inferred about ___? — close inference only; don't over-extrapolate |
Note-taking template for Part 6
SPK A: [Name/label] ________________________
SPK B: [Name/label] ________________________
TOPIC: ____________________________________________
A thinks: ____
B thinks: ____
AGREE on: ____
DISAGREE on: ____
Key facts/numbers: ____
Fill this in during the preview time — then add to it as you listen. Most Part 6 questions map directly to one of these rows.
Three mistakes that lose marks in Part 6
Writing too much during the audio
If you are writing, you are not listening. Keep notes to single words and symbols.
Waiting until after to answer
Part 6 questions appear one by one during the preview, and your answers are locked in at the end of your time. Don't leave all 8 to the last 30 seconds.
Confusing speakers on position questions
The most common error. Always use speaker labels in your notes from the start.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are in CELPIP Listening Part 6?
CELPIP Listening Part 6 has 8 questions based on a 2–3 minute discussion between two or more speakers. This is the longest and most complex listening section, and it carries a significant weight on your overall Listening score.
Does CELPIP Listening Part 6 play the audio twice?
No — unlike some other listening tests, CELPIP does not replay the audio in Part 6. You hear the discussion once. This makes pre-reading the 8 questions before the audio starts critical, so you know exactly what to listen for before the recording begins.
How do you take notes during CELPIP Listening Part 6?
Use abbreviations only — full sentences slow you down and cause you to miss audio. Label your speakers by initial or label (e.g., 'A:', 'B:'), note the topic in one phrase, and use '+' for agreement and '−' for disagreement. The note-taking template on this page covers the most common question types.
What are the most common question types in CELPIP Listening Part 6?
The 6 most common question types in Part 6 are: (1) Main idea — what is the discussion about; (2) Speaker's position — what does Speaker A think; (3) Agreement/disagreement — what do both speakers share or dispute; (4) Detail/fact — specific numbers or names; (5) Vocabulary in context — what a word means in this discussion; (6) Inference — what can be concluded.
Why do test-takers score lower on Listening Part 6 than earlier parts?
Part 6 requires tracking two speakers simultaneously — their names, positions, and areas of agreement/disagreement — while also taking notes and reading questions. The cognitive load is higher than Parts 1–5. The most common errors are confusing which speaker said what, and writing too many notes and missing audio as a result.