IELTS Life Skills for UKVI

IELTS Life Skills test is for people who need to prove their English-speaking and listening skills at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Levels A1, A2 or B1. They are accepted by the UK Visas and Migration Department for certain visa types.

IELTS Life Skills A1, A2 and B1 only test your listening and speaking skills. You will be tested for your ability to obtain and gather information, communicate and engage in discussion. The second test taker’s performance will not affect your test results.

IELTS Life Skills results are a little different. Instead of receiving a band score, you will either get a pass or fail result. A pass result means you can use your test result for your visa application.

The tests run between 16 and 22 minutes and are conducted with an examiner as well as a second test taker.

IELTS Life Skills – Speaking and Listening

If you are applying to UK Visas and Immigration for a ‘family of a settled person’ visa, IELTS Life Skills A1 is the test for you.

If you are applying to UKVI for a 'family of a settled person’ extension visa, IELTS Life Skills A2 is the test for you. (Note: IELTS Life Skills A2 Speaking and Listening is offered in the UK only. After two-and-a half-years in the UK, non-EEA national partners and parents on the family route will need to pass a speaking and listening test at level A2 in order to qualify, for further leave to remain on the five-year partner or parent route to settlement.)

If you are applying to UK Visas and Immigration for indefinite leave to remain or citizenship, IELTS Life Skills B1 is the test for you.

Before you register for your test you should check the English language requirements for your visa category. Please visit Guidance on Applying for UK Visa – approved English language tests for more information.

What’s in the test?

IELTS Life Skills is available at three levels:

Face-to-face Speaking and Listening test

You will take the test with an examiner, and with one other test taker. The tasks in IELTS Life Skills are designed to reflect the everyday experience of communicating about a variety of topics in an English-speaking country. In your IELTS speaking and listening test, you will be expected to take part in short discussions on everyday topics including:

• personal details/experiences

• family and friends

• buying goods

• work

• health

• leisure

• education/training

• transport

• housing

• weather

The focus of IELTS Life Skills

At each level, the test is designed to assess whether you can listen and respond, make your meaning clear, and talk with other people.

How to prepare

Preparing for IELTS Life Skills

1. How will I be assessed in the test?

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.

2. At what level is IELTS Life Skills?

IELTS Life Skills is available at A1 and B1 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This is an international standard used around the world to describe learners’ language skills.

3. What happens during the test?

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 A1 and B1 level, 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 candidate.

4. Why do I take the test with another candidate?

IELTS Life Skills tests how well you can communicate with other people in everyday English. The best way to test these skills is to pair test takers at a similar level of ability. This way, the IELTS test can effectively show how good you are at speaking English to communicate and discuss a variety of topics with others.

5. How long is the test?

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 - B1 Speaking and Listening: 22 minutes.

6. Free support materials

Test dates

To find a suitable test date and register for an IELTS Life Skills test!

Please read "Notice to Test Takers: Special precautionary measures on Test Day"

Test Locations

IELTS for UKVI and IELTS Life Skills test will be taken place at Wanchai or Shatin (Specific test location authorised by UKVI). The test venue location cannot be chosen as they are subject to availability unless specified on our website. Test venue and the time of the speaking test will be listed in the confirmation of registration. The confirmation will be sent to the candidate by email 7 days before the test day. For information, please contact us on 2179 3600.

Result

Test results are normally available within six (6) days of your test. You will get one of two results:

• Pass

• Fail

A fail result means that you have not been successful, and your test cannot be used for your visa application.

Your IELTS Test Report Form can be sent to you by courier service if you are not able to collect result on the day. Please contact us for information about the arrangement and courier service fee.

Please click here for the information on IELTS test (Non-UKVI)