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If you want to study in the UK or apply for professional registration, you might need to take an IELTS Academic for UKVI test. It is a Secure English Language test (SELT) approved by the UK home office for visa applications to the United Kingdom.

The Academic for UKVI test is the same as the Academic test in terms of content, format, scoring and the level of difficulty. However, the UKVI test is only available at test centres who meet the administrative requirements outlined by the UK Home Office. Your Test Report Form (TRF) will also look slightly different if you take a UKVI IELTS test.

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What is the difference between IELTS and IELTS for UKVI?

IELTS and IELTS for UKVI are exactly the same test in terms of format, content, scoring and level of difficulty. The only difference is an IELTS for UKVI test is approved by the UK Home Office for work, study and migration purposes.


If you take an IELTS for UKVI test, your test report form will be a little different to show that you have taken an IELTS for UKVI test at an approved IELTS test centre.

Learn the difference between the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training and find out which test you should take.

IELTS Academic or General Training: Which do you need?

Find out the differences between IELTS Academic and General Training so you can choose which one is best for you.

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