CELBAN

Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN) is a language assessment test
specific to health care scenarios for internationally educated nurses (IENs). CELBAN is approved by all
the licensing bodies through-out the Canada. Similar to International English Language Test (IELTS),
your proficiency will be assessed in listening, writing, reading and speaking.
The acceptable scores for CELBAN to pursue with Nursing Profession for all the modules are:
Listening
10

Reading
8

Speaking
8

Writing
7

FORMAT OF CELBAN
As per NNAS language requirements, you are suppose to clear all the modules in one sitting for any of
the acceptable language tests. CELBAN is an exception where one can appear from speaking component
separately from other three components.
Listening
Duration 45 minutes
Listening session composite of audio-video and only audio scenarios. Firstly, there will be 4-5 video
scenarios where you may have to observe the expressions to answer few questions. Then, there will be 4
small patient oriented audio conversations. There will be multiple choice questions, fill ups to complete
information on answer sheet. You need to practice a lot for listening as you will not be provided separate
time to transfer your answers as you are suppose to write on answer sheet simultaneously as you listen.
However, you will have 40 - 60 seconds before and after completion of each session.
Reading
Duration 40 minutes
Reading consists for 4 tasks.
Task 1: In this you have to find out the information from the given Hospital Record Sheet.
Task 2: Reading comprehension and you have to fill the gaps with answers from the passage.
Task 3: skim and scan from passage.
Task 4: Skin and scan from hospital information sheet.
Speaking
Duration 20-25 minutes
There will be 2 examiners, one will play as your patient and other will observe and then they switch

Section 1: Introduction, in this they will ask you some familiar topics regarding yourself and your
experiences.
Section 2: Role play 1 History taking. You will be provided with sample history taking form to direct
your Questions.
Section 3: Role play 2: in this section you will be given a scenario and questions/ topic to discuss with
patient.
Section 4: general question will be asked where you have to compare and contrast, to state your opinion
or to analyze a situation to evaluate your range of language skills.
Writing
It is comprised of two tasks
Task 1: (10 minutes) you have to complete a health history taking sheet from a audio/video. This
audio/video will be exactly same from listening task 1.
Task 2: (15minutes) In this you have to write a 2 paragraph nursing report from the given notes in a report
sheet. It can be an incident report or patient report.
One need to practice all the modules to achieve desired scores. Best of luck.!!!!!!