Q: What happens during the test?

IELTS Life Skills test format There are two main parts to IELTS Life Skills. In the first part, you are expected to ask and answer questions on familiar topics. The second part is a combined listening and speaking task. At level A and level B, you will listen to a task played on a CD. Completing the task allows you to show your ability to listen for both the general meaning and detail. You will say your answers, although you can make notes on paper while you listen to the CD. There will then be a discussion on a theme related to what you have listened to on the CD. Additionally at B1 level, there is also a task where you plan an activity with the other test taker.

Q: How will I be assessed in the test?

Assessment of IELTS Life Skills You will be assessed on your ability in four key areas: obtaining information conveying information speaking to communicate engaging in discussion At times during the test, you will be allowed to take notes to prepare your answers. The examiner will not mark your notes – only your speaking and listening skills are marked during the test.

Q: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills - A1 Speaking and Listening

A1 Speaking and Listening You will be expected to: Listen and respond to spoken language, including simple narratives, statements, questions and single-step instructions Communicate basic information, feelings and opinions on familiar topics Talk with another person in a familiar situation about familiar topics. Tasks may include: describing giving opinions giving personal information stating preferences commenting asking for information or descriptions agreeing and disagreeing explaining, giving reasons or justifying deciding suggesting selecting

Q: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills - B1 Speaking and Listening

B1 Speaking and Listening You will be expected to: Listen and respond to spoken language, including straightforward information and narratives and follow straightforward explanations Communicate information, feelings and opinions on familiar topics, using appropriate formality Talk with one or more people in a familiar situation, making relevant points and responding to what others say to reach a shared understanding about familiar topics. In addition to the A1 tasks, the B1 tasks may include: comparing showing contrast, cause, reason or purpose prioritising planning persuading narrating asking about past or future events expressing future certainty or possibility

Question 1

What happens during the test?

Accepted Answer

IELTS Life Skills test format

There are two main parts to IELTS Life Skills.

In the first part, you are expected to ask and answer questions on familiar topics.

The second part is a combined listening and speaking task.

At level A and level B, you will listen to a task played on a CD. Completing the task allows you to show your ability to listen for both the general meaning and detail.

You will say your answers, although you can make notes on paper while you listen to the CD.

There will then be a discussion on a theme related to what you have listened to on the CD.

Additionally at B1 level, there is also a task where you plan an activity with the other test taker.

Question 2

How long is the IELTS Life Skills test?

Accepted Answer

Test times for IELTS Life Skills
For IELTS Life Skills you only need to attend one short session to complete the test. The times allowed for each level are:

IELTS Life Skills – A1 Speaking and Listening 16 –18 minutes

IELTS Life Skills – A2 Speaking and Listening 20 minutes

IELTS Life Skills – B1 Speaking and Listening 22 minutes

Question 3

How will I be assessed in the test?

Accepted Answer

Assessment of IELTS Life Skills

You will be assessed on your ability in four key areas:

obtaining information

conveying information

speaking to communicate

engaging in discussion

At times during the test, you will be allowed to take notes to prepare your answers. The examiner will not mark your notes – only your speaking and listening skills are marked during the test.

Question 4

Results for IELTS for UKVI Life Skills tests

Accepted Answer

Test results are normally available within seven days of your test.

You will get one of two results:

Pass

Fail

If you pass the IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test, you can proceed with using your results for your visa application.
A fail result means that you have not been successful and your test cannot be used for your visa application.

If you pass the test, you cannot retake it at the same level for a period of two years. If you do not pass it, there are no restrictions on retaking the test.

Question 5

What are the IELTS for UKVI Life Skills topics?

Accepted Answer

You will take the test face-to-face with an examiner, and with one other test taker. You will participate in a structured conversation listening and responding to a selection of tasks.

The tasks in IELTS for UKVI Life Skills are designed to reflect the everyday experience of communicating in an English-speaking country. You will be expected to take part in short discussions on everyday subjects including:

personal details/experiences

family and friends

buying goods

work

health

leisure

education/training

transport

housing

weather

Question 6

IELTS for UKVI Life Skills - A1 Speaking and Listening

Accepted Answer

A1 Speaking and Listening

You will be expected to:

Listen and respond to spoken language, including simple narratives, statements, questions and single-step instructions

Communicate basic information, feelings and opinions on familiar topics

Talk with another person in a familiar situation about familiar topics.

Tasks may include:

describing

giving opinions

giving personal information

stating preferences

commenting

asking for information or descriptions

agreeing and disagreeing

explaining, giving reasons or justifying

deciding

suggesting

selecting

Question 7

IELTS for UKVI Life Skills - B1 Speaking and Listening

Accepted Answer

B1 Speaking and Listening

You will be expected to:

Listen and respond to spoken language, including straightforward information and narratives and follow straightforward explanations

Communicate information, feelings and opinions on familiar topics, using appropriate formality

Talk with one or more people in a familiar situation, making relevant points and responding to what others say to reach a shared understanding about familiar topics.

In addition to the A1 tasks, the B1 tasks may include:

comparing

showing contrast, cause, reason or purpose

prioritising

planning

persuading

narrating

asking about past or future events

expressing future certainty or possibility

IELTS Academic

IELTS General training

IELTS for UKVI

IELTS One Skill Retake

English self-assessment tool

IELTS Reading test: how to manage your time?

Grammar 101: Affect vs. Effect

Grammar 101: Understanding verb tenses

IELTS Life Skills for the UK

IELTS Life Skills for UK Visas and Immigration

The focus of IELTS Life Skills

Face-to-face Speaking and Listening tests

Test dates for IELTS Life Skills

Format of the Speaking and Listening test