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IELTS Life Skills 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.
It is designed to see how you can communicate and convey as well as gather information across listening and speaking only.
IELTS Life Skills A1, A2 and B1 only test your listening and speaking skills. It is designed to see how you can communicate and convey as well as gather information. 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. They run between 16 and 22 minutes and are conducted with an examiner as well as a second test taker.
Ask IELTS
IELTS Academic and General Training are two wholly separate types of test, for two different purposes. While some individual organisations may accept an Academic result in the place of General Training, this decision is up to them. You will need to contact your specific organisation to learn more.
The band score you need to study abroad is set by the institution to which you are applying and not by IELTS.
The score needed to apply to a course may vary based on the institution or course you want to apply for. If you are not sure what band score you need to apply for your desired course, check out our Who accepts IELTS page or double-check with the institution you wish to apply to.
The band score you need to migrate to a particular country varies. Check our Who accepts IELTS page to check what band score you need.
IELTS for UKVI, sometimes called SELT, is the same as any other IELTS test, but with additional security measures required by the UK Government.
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is an international standard for describing language ability. It describes language ability on a 6-point scale, from A1 for beginners, up to C2 for those who have mastered a language.
If you wish to migrate, study or work in the UK, you may be required to take the IELTS for UKVI test. Use the UK Government visa check list to find out whether you need to take an approved test and what level you need to achieve.
If you choose to take IELTS on computer, you will take the Listening, Reading and Writing test parts using a computer.
If you choose to take the IELTS on paper, you will complete the Listening, Reading and Writing test parts on paper.
The Speaking test for both paper and computer are face to face with an examiner. This is the best way to measure your speaking skills as it takes a more realistic approach: a life-like conversation with an examiner.
