If you want to work, migrate, study or seek vocational training in the UK, you might need to take the IELTS 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 IELTS General Training for UKVI test is the same as the IELTS General Training test in terms of content, format, scoring and the level of difficulty. However, the IELTS for 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 IELTS for UKVI test.
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IELTS and IELTS for UKVI are the exact 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 you have taken an IELTS for UKVI test at an approved test centre.
If you plan to study in higher education or seek professional registration in an English-speaking country, you might need to take an IELTS Academic.
The General Training test looks at your English-language capabilities in a work or social environment. If you plan to study in secondary education, enroll in vocational training, move abroad for work or migrate to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK or the USA, you might need to take an IELTS General Training.
For both paper-based and computer-delivered IELTS, you will do the tests in the following order on the same day: Listening, Reading and Writing, with the Speaking test before or after this test session.
Depending on the test centre, the Speaking test can be done on the same day, or up to 7 days either before or after the test date.
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