What is IELTS for UKVI?

'IELTS for UKVI' is a UK government approved Secure English Language Test (SELT). This means that IELTS can be used to prove your English language abilities in support of a UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) application.

For many categories of visa, you must submit an English language qualification which is included on the UK Home Office’s list of Secure English Language Tests (SELT tests). 

The following IELTS tests are on this list and have been approved for UK Visas and Immigration purposes:

Test	Version	Purpose
IELTS	Academic	This test is for test takers wishing to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, and for those seeking professional registration in the UK.
IELTS	General Training	This test is for test takers wishing to migrate to the UK and for those wishing to train or study below degree level.
IELTS Life Skills	B1	This test is for those who need to prove their English speaking and listening skills as part of their application to UK Visas and Immigration for indefinite leave to remain or citizenship.
IELTS Life Skills	A1	This test is for those who need to prove their English speaking and listening skills as part of their application to UK Visas and Immigration for ‘family of a settled person’ visas.

IELTS (Academic or General Training)

If you’re applying for Tier 1 and Tier 2 visas to the UK, this is the test for you.

IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training for UKVI are designed to meet certain administrative requirements that are specified by the UK Home Office.

The actual test taken is the same as IELTS (for all other purposes), same content, examiners, format, level of difficulty, scoring and so on. 

The difference is in the customer journey on the test day. Test Report Forms will be slightly different, to show that you have taken the test at an IELTS UK visa session. 

IELTS Life Skills

If you’re applying for a ‘family of a settled person’ visa, for indefinite leave to remain or citizenship, IELTS Life Skills is the test for you.  

IELTS Life Skills is a new test, approved by UKVI as a Secure English Language Test (SELT).

It’s for people who need to show they have speaking and listening skills at Level A1 or B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

***************************************************************************

Contact Us for IELTS VI and IELTS LIFE training program.

***************************************************************************

Prepare for IELTS Life Skills

For the best preparation, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the format of the IELTS Life Skills test and complete a practice test. Free practise materials are available below.

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.

Test format

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 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 makes 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.

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.

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.

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 candidates at a similar level of ability, so you can show how well you can speak English to communicate and engage in discussion with others.

***************************************************************************

Contact Us for IELTS VI and IELTS LIFE training program.

***************************************************************************

Learn about 'IELTS Life Skills'

IELTS LIFE is a new test, approved by UKVI as a Secure English Language Test (SELT). It’s for people who need to show they have speaking and listening skills at Level A1 or B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Two skill levels

IELTS Life Skills is available at two levels:

• IELTS Life Skills - A1 Speaking and Listening
• IELTS Life Skills - B1 Speaking and Listening

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

Format of the Speaking and Listening test

You will take the test face-to-face with an examiner, and with one other candidate.

You will participate in a structured conversation listening and responding to a selection of tasks.

The tasks in IELTS 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.

The focus and task content for each of the two levels is outlined below:

IELTS Life Skills - A1 Speaking and Listening

The following table shows the focus and indicative tasks that you may be asked to complete:

A1
Focus:	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.

IELTS Life Skills - B1 Speaking and Listening

The following table shows the focus and indicative tasks that you may be asked to complete:

B1
Focus:	You will be expected to: listen and respond to spoken language, including straightforward information and narratives, and follow straightforward explanations and instructions. 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 shown above, 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

***************************************************************************

Contact Us for IELTS VI and IELTS LIFE training program.

***************************************************************************

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Note:-The questions,sample writing tasks,top 6 words,its meaning,sentences,teaching methodology & related details are obtained from various sources.Please click here REFERENCES for details of sources.The role of web page owner is limited to finding & modifying the questions,words,sample writing tasks and editing the content for our intended purpose.The purpose of this page is to promote IELTS training and English education for free as far as possible.However , not to misuse this opportunity and to minimize the losses incur, a fee is being charged for training session conducted by the live trainer through online chat.]