IELTS Life Skills

IELTS Life Skills logo

IELTS Life Skills is an international English language examination offered by the IELTS test partners – the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment.

It is a test of Speaking and Listening at Level A1 and Level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and is designed to meet the requirements of UK Visas and Immigration (part of the Home Office).

As well as IELTS Life Skills, the test partners also offer IELTS, a test available in two versions – Academic and General Training. IELTS is designed to test the full range of language ability up to expert user at CEFR Level C2 and can also be used for UK immigration purposes.

History

IELTS Life Skills was first offered in April 2015.[1] It is designed to meet the requirements of UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)[2] and can be used to apply for a ‘family of a settled person’ visa, indefinite leave to remain or citizenship.[3]

UKVI announced changes to Secure English Language Tests (SELT) for visa purposes in February 2015. The announcement stated that anyone taking a test for immigration purposes after 6 April 2015 must take either IELTS<link>, IELTS Life Skills or a Trinity College London test at a UKVI approved test centre. IELTS and IELTS Life Skills are the only tests available when applying for visas from both outside and inside the UK.[4]

IELTS Life Skills does not test Reading and Writing, as it is designed to meet immigration requirements for which applicants only need to demonstrate their Speaking and Listening skills.[2]

Test format

IELTS Life Skills at CEFR Level A1 takes 16–18 minutes. IELTS Life Skills at CEFR Level B1 takes 22 minutes.

Candidates take the test with an examiner and with one other candidate. Candidates are assessed on Speaking and Listening at the same time.

IELTS Life Skills at Level A1 has two parts. IELTS Life Skills at Level B1 has three parts.

Part 1: candidates ask and answer questions and have short discussions on everyday subjects, such as:

Part 2: candidates listen to a task played on a CD. They have to listen for the general meaning and detail. They say their answers aloud, although they can make notes on paper while they listen. There will then be a discussion on a theme related to recording on the CD.

Part 3 (Level B1 test only): plan an activity with the other candidate.[6]

Scoring

Candidates will get one of two results: pass or fail. A fail results means that the test cannot be used for a visa application.[7]

Candidates are assessed on their ability in four areas:

The performance of the other candidate taking the test at the same time does not affect the scoring.[2]

Results

Test results are typically available within 13 days of the test. Candidates will receive one copy of the IELTS Life Skills Test Report Form.

Locations and test dates

The test is available throughout the world in locations specified by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).[4] Test dates are available within 28 days of booking a test.

If candidates do not pass, there are no restrictions on retaking the test. If candidates pass, they cannot retake the test at the same level for two years.[8]

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/ielts_in_the_uk.aspx Accessed 08 July 2015
  2. 1 2 3 http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/ielts_in_the_uk/what_is_ielts_life_skills.aspx Accessed 08 July 2015
  3. ↑ http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/ielts_in_the_uk/for_uk_visas_and_immigration.aspx Accessed 08 July 2015
  4. 1 2 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/421685/april_2015_approved_secure_english_language_tests_and_test_centres_v3_0.pdf Accessed 08 July 2015
  5. ↑ http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/ielts_in_the_uk/ielts_life_skills/whats_in_the_test.aspx Accessed 08 July 2015
  6. ↑ http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/ielts_in_the_uk/ielts_life_skills/how_to_prepare.aspx Accessed 08 July 2015
  7. ↑ http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/ielts_in_the_uk/ielts_life_skills.aspx Accessed 08 July 2015
  8. ↑ http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/findtest_ukvi.aspx-i Accessed 08 July 2015
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