IELTS Life Skills for UKVI

The Life Skills test is available at three different levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). You can choose between Life Skills A1, A2 and B1 where you will be assessed for your English speaking and listening skills.

You will sit the test with an IELTS examiner and a second test taker. The examiner will assess your speaking and listening skills during the test session. The session can last between 16 and 22 minutes.

An IELTS examiner will assess your English speaking and listening skills across a set of criteria. The criteria include:

• Obtaining information

• Conveying information

• Speaking to communicate

• Engaging in discussion

There are no band scores attached to an IELTS Life Skills Test. You will get either of the following results when you take an IELTS Life Skills test:

• Pass

• Fail

IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test 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.

IELTS for UKVI Life Skills 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.

IELTS for UKVI 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. The second test taker’s performance will not affect your test results.

It is important to use the UK Government visa check list  to find out whether you need to take an approved test, what level you need to achieve, and which test you can use. You can also check the section below that applies to your visa tier. Just remember: UK Visas and Immigration rules can change, so you should always check with them before you book your test  .

IELTS for UKVI 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 for UKVI Life Skills 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.

Book in IDP IELTS Melbourne

Book in IDP IELTS Sydney