IELTS Life Skills
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- Last Updated: Thursday, 03 November 2022 14:51
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What is ‘IELTS Life Skills” test?
- is a new English Language assessment test designed for the people who want to apply to get UK Visas and Immigration permissions. This is a special IELTS test for people who want to apply for UK Visas and Immigration for a ‘family of a settled person’ visa or for ‘indefinite leave to remain or citizenship’. This test is offered by the same IELTS authorities (British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment) and it assesses the Speaking and Listening skill of the test takers.
You should register for the ‘IELTS Life Skills’ test for any of the following reasons:
- You need to apply for a UK visa for immigration to the UK as a family member of a settled person in the United Kingdom.
- You are applying to get UK Visas and Immigration permission for indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom.
- You are applying for UK visas to get the citizenship in the United Kingdom.
Unlike IELTS main test, IELTS Life Skills is a test that comprises only Speaking and Listening section. In fact, IELTS Life Skills test is an approved test of speaking and listening for UK visas and immigration.
IELTS Life Skills test is available at CEFR Level A1 and CEFR Level B1. CEFR stands for Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
IELTS Life Skills A1 test is required for applying to get UK Visas and Immigration for a ‘family of a settled person’ visa.
IELTS Life Skills B1 test is required for applying to get UK Visas and Immigration for indefinite leave to remain or citizenship in the UK.
To find out if you need to take an English test for your visa application, visit the UKVI website at www.gov.uk. Make sure you apply for the right ‘IELTS Life Skills’ test (A1 or B1) to fulfil your need. If you still have any confusion regarding which ‘IELTS Life Skills’ test you need to take, contact with your nearest ‘UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)’ centre or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The following diagrams should make things clear regarding your choice and decision of ‘IELTS Life Skills’ test:
‘IELTS Life Skills’ Test Format:
Which ‘IELTS Life Skills’ test you should take:
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Reason
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IELTS Life Skill Test Type
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You want to remain with a relative, spouse or partner already living in the UK permanently.
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IELTS Life Skills A1
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If you are already living in the UK and want to make it your permanent home.
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IELTS Life Skills B1
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If you want to become a British citizen or get a British citizenship.
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IELTS Life Skills B1
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IELTS Life Skills exam is designed is to test whether a person meets specific immigration requirements. As an IELTS Life Skills test taker, you only need to demonstrate your speaking and listening skills. There is no Reading or Writing section in IELTS Life Skills test and your Speaking and Listening skills will be assessed at the same time. IELTS Life Skills at CEFR Level A1 takes 16-18 minutes and Level B1 is 22 minutes and you need to take the test with another test taker and one Examiner. Your own performance on both speaking and listening will be assessed during this one session. You cannot take any break during the exam.
A certificated IELTS Examiner will assess your performance throughout the test based on the following 4 criteria:
- Obtaining information
- Conveying information
- Speaking to communicate
- Engaging in discussion
Your score and assessment would not be affected by the performance of the other test taker who is paired with you in the IELTS Life Skills test.
You will receive one copy of the IELTS Life Skills Test Report Form usually within 7 days of your test and you can take this test as many times as you want if you do not pass the exam. However, you need to register every time you sit for this test.
Scoring:
The IELTS Life Skill test does not have any band score and has only two possible results: Pass or Fail. You will get a Test Report Form usually within 7 days that would denote whether you passed or failed in your test. If someone fails the test, s/he can’t use this Test Report for a visa application.
Comprehensive details on IELTS Life Skills test could be found from the below IELTS Life Skills FAQ section.
IELTS Life Skills FAQs
This IELTS Life Skills FAQ section answers all the questions you might be wondering about the special IELTS test called 'IELTS Life Skills' test. This section should be used only by the candidates who need answers related to IELTS Life Skills test, not the Academic or General Training IELTS test takers.
If you are looking for Academic or GT IELTS Exam FAQs, visit: Our FAQ Section
You can also visit the IELTS Official page for more details about IELTS Life Skills.
FAQ# 1: What is IELTS Life Skills?
IELTS Life Skills is a new English Language test available across the world for people who want to get a visa in the United Kingdom for the following three purposes:
- To remain with a relative, spouse or partner already living in the UK permanently.
- Who are already living in the UK and want to make the UK their permanent home.
- To become a British citizen/ to get citizenship in the United Kingdom.
IETLS Life Skills is a test designed for people to meet the requirements of UK Visas and Immigration for certain visa categories and other immigration purposes listed above.
FAQ# 2: Who owns IELTS Life Skills test?
‘IELTS Life skills’ is jointly owned by the three IELTS Test Partners - British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment. These are the partners who own and offer the Academic and General Training IETLS tests as well.
FAQ# 3: Which skills are tested in the IELTS Life Skills exam?
Only Speaking and Listening skills are assessed in the IELTS Life Skills exam.
FAQ# 4: There are two types of IELTS Life Skills test: Level A1 & Level B1. Which one should I take?
Take the Level A1 test if you want to remain with a relative, spouse or partner already living in the UK permanently.
Take the Level B1 if you are already living in the UK and want to make it your permanent home or if you want to get a British citizenship visa.
To find out more details about how you can use IELTS or IELTS Life Skills for UK visas and immigration, visit www.ielts.org
FAQ# 5: How long does the IELTS Life Skills test take?
The IELTS Life Skills test at CEFR Level A1 takes 16-18 minutes while the Level B1 takes about 22 minutes.
FAQ# 6: Who will take my IELTS Life Skills exam?
A nominated professional IELTS examiner will take you exam.
FAQ# 7: What is the format of the IELTS Life Skills test?
You will take the test with an IELTS examiner and another test taker. You will talk to both the examiner as well as with the other candidate. Your performance will be assessed based on your listening and speaking skills.
FAQ# 8: Is there any break between Speaking and Listening?
No, you are not allowed to take any break between the speaking and listening test. In fact, your listening and speaking skills are assessed at the same time. The exam lasts for less than half an hour and you should not even ask for any break during your exam.
FAQ# 9: Why does IELTS Life Skills only cover Speaking and Listening?
The new IELTS Life Skills test has been designed to meet specific immigration requirements and that’s why applicants only need to demonstrate their speaking and listening skills. No writing or reading is required in the IELTS Life Skills test.
FAQ# 10: How is IELTS Life Skills test assessed?
A professional and nominated IELTS Examiner will assess your performance throughout the Speaking and Listening test based on the following 4 criteria:
- Obtaining information
- Conveying information
- Speaking to communicate
- Engaging in discussion
You skills in listening, understanding what others are saying, conveying information to others and ability to continue a discussion would be assessed in the IELTS Life Skills exam.
FAQ# 11: Can I pick the other IELTS Life Skills test taker for my exam?
No, you can’t. That would be decided by the test authority.
FAQ# 12: Will the performance of the other test taker affect my performance or assessment?
The performance of the other test taker paired with you in IELTS Life Skills test will not affect the assessment of your own performance. You will be assessed solely based on your own performance.
FAQ# 13: Where can I take IELTS Life Skills test?
IELTS Life Skills tests are available throughout the world, in locations specified by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). See the list of dates and locations from http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/find_test_ukvi.aspx. You can also find locations of this test and pay the registration fee online from this link.
FAQ# 14: How soon will I get my IELTS Life Skills results?
Usually, you will get your result within 7 days of your test.
FAQ# 15: How many copies of IELTS Life Skills Test Report Form will I get?
You will receive one copy of the IELTS Life Skills Test Report Form.
FAQ# 16: What the IELTS Life Skills result will indicate?
It will indicate whether you have Passed or Failed. No Band score is given like Academic or General Training IELTS test results. If you pass the test, you can use the Test Report Form as part of your requirement for the UK visa or immigration. If you fail the test, you need to re-take the exam.
FAQ# 17: How often can I re-take the IELTS Life Skills?
If you do not pass the test, there are no restrictions on retaking the test. You can re-take it anytime you wish. However, if you pass the test, you cannot retake it at the same level for a period of two years.
FAQ# 18: How long is my IELTS Life Skills Test result valid for?
Your IELTS Life Skills Test result is valid for 2 years.
FAQ# 19: Where can I find a test location if I need to take IELTS Life Skills exam?
You can find a test location from the official web page of IELTS at http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/find_test_ukvi.aspx. Alternatively, you can contact the local IELTS test or registration centre to find more.
I am Anuradha Sharma, a citizen of India, wants to apply for UK's PR. Am I eligible to apply?
I am Anuradha Sharma, a citizen of India. Can I apply for UK's PR by clearing CEFR level B1? Kindly help me. I will be very thankful to you.
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