IELTS General Training for UKVI

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.

IELTS UKVI - General Training

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 select test centres who meet the administrative requirements outlined by the UK Home Office.

Depending on your UKVI-approved test centre, the IELTS UKVI General Training test may be conducted on paper or on computer.

Your Test Report Form (TRF) will also look slightly different if you take a IELTS for UKVI test.

The IELTS General Training for UKVI test will assess your English skills in listening, reading, writing and speaking in a casual setting. You can take the test in the IELTS on paper format or in the IELTS on computer format. Before you head into an IELTS on computer test, make sure you take some time to get familiar with the IELTS on computer format of the test.

Listening

You will listen to 4 recordings in your General Training Listening test and need to answer 40 questions based on these recordings. The first two recordings deal with situations you might experience in an everyday context. The last two recordings, however, focus on situations that might occur in an education or training context.

Reading

The General Training Reading test consists of three sections and 40 questions. It focuses on situations you might face in everyday life, work-related issues such as applying for a job, and topics of general interest. The extracts in each section are taken from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines.

Writing

The General Training Writing test is made up of two tasks, Writing Task 1 and Writing Task 2. The topics in each task are of general interest. In Writing Task 1, you will be given a situation where you will need to write a letter to request information or explain the situation. You might be asked to write a letter to suggest how to improve facilities at a library. Examiners will look at your ability to provide general and factual information in relation to the task, express needs, wants, likes and dislikes, as well as opinions, views and complaints. Writing Task 2 is a little different. You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. You will be assessed on whether you can provide general factual information, outline a problem, present a solution, justify an opinion or evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or an argument.

Speaking

The IELTS General Training Speaking test will assess your use of spoken English. All speaking tests are conducted face-to-face with a certified IELTS examiner and are recorded in case they need to be reviewed. The General Training Speaking test takes between 11 and 14 minutes and consists of 3 parts. 

Our free practice materials can help support you to get the best score.

IELTS for UKVI (IELTS for UKVI Academic and General, and IELTS Life Skills A1 and B1 tests) are currently only available in Australia, in the following test centres:

• IDP IELTS Melbourne

• IDP IELTS Sydney

If you need an IELTS test for UK visa applications, you can only do so at approved test centres. These UKVI-approved test centres meet the administrative requirements outlined by the UK Home Office.

Make sure you select the correct "Test Type." If you are taking the IELTS for your UK visa application, you need to take the IELTS UKVI or the IELTS Life Skills tests.

Learn more about which test is right for your UK visa application.

Book in IDP IELTS Melbourne

Book in IDP IELTS Sydney