Examinations Services Call: 886 (0)2 8722 1039 opening hour: Mon-Fri 09:30-13:00 and 14:00-17:30
Home > IELTS for UKVI > What is IELTS Life Skills

IELTS Life Skills

IELTS Life Skills is a new English Language test offered by the three IELTS Test Partners - British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment.

IELTS Life Skills is a test of Speaking and Listening, available at CEFR Level A1 and CEFR Level B1. IELTS Life Skills Level A1 takes 16-18 minutes and Level B1 is 22 minutes. Test takers are assessed on their Listening and Speaking skills at the same time. They take the test with another person and an Examiner. Their performance on both Listening and Speaking will be assessed during this one session.

IELTS Life Skills is designed to meet the requirements of UK Visas and Immigration for certain visa categories. For more information, please visit www.gov.uk .

● A1 - Listening and Speaking

● B1 - Listening and Speaking

IELTS Life Skills A1

A1 on the CEFR / ESOL Entry 1 on NQF
IELTS Life Skills A1 is for people who need to prove their English speaking and listening skills at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level A1 as part of their application to UKVI for Family, Spouse or Partner visa.

Components: Speaking and Listening
IELTS Life Skills B1

B1 on the CEFR / ESOL Entry 3 on the NQF
IELTS life Skills B1 is for people who need to prove their English speaking and listening skills at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level B1 as part of their application to UKVI for citizenship/settlement.

Components: Speaking and Listening

Alongside the current IELTS, all three tests should be offered:

● IELTS Life Skills A1 - 16 - 18 minutes

● IELTS Life Skills B1 - 22 minutes

A certificated IELTS Examiner will assess your performance throughout the Speaking and Listening test based on the following criteria:

● obtaining information
● conveying information
● speaking to communicate
● engaging in discussion

The performance of the other test taker paired with you in IELTS Life Skills test does not affect the assessment of your own performance.

IELTS Life Skills will be available throughout the world from April 2015. Details of where and when you can take the test will be available here in March 2015.

From April 2015 IELTS Life Skills will be available at test centres in the UK and throughout the world.

You will be able to register for your test and pay for it online using our website from late March 2015. Locations of the centres and more information about how to register will be available soon.

Test dates and other registration information will be available shortly.

Test results are normally available within 6 days of your test.
You will get one of two results:
● Pass
● Fail
A fail result means that you have not been successful and your test cannot be used for your visa application.

1.What is IELTS Life Skills? What is it for?

IELTS Life Skills is a test of Speaking and Listening, available at CEFR Level A1 and CEFR Level B1. It is designed to meet the requirements of UK Visas and Immigration for certain visa categories.


2.When and where can I take an IELTS Life Skills test?

We will be announcing dates for registration and testing here shortly.

IELTS Life Skills tests are available throughout the world, in locations specified by UK Visas and Immigration. The IELTS Life Skills test centres will also be announced here shortly.

To find out whether you need to take an approved test, and what level you need to achieve, please visit www.gov.uk for more information.


3.What is the format of the IELTS Life Skills test?

You 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.


4.Why does IELTS Life Skills only cover Speaking and Listening?

The new test has been designed to meet specific immigration requirements for which applicants only need to demonstrate speaking and listening skills.


5.How long does the IELTS Life Skills test take?

IELTS Life Skills at CEFR Level A1 takes 16-18 minutes and Level B1 is 22 minutes.


6.Is there any break between Speaking and Listening?

No. You will be assessed on your Speaking and Listening skills at the same time.


7.How is IELTS Life Skills assessed?

A certificated IELTS Examiner will assess your performance throughout the Listening and Speaking test based on the following criteria:
● obtaining information
● conveying information
● speaking to communicate
● engaging in discussion


8.How can I prepare for the IELTS Life Skills test?

Free test samples will be available here shortly.


9.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.


10.How soon will I get my IELTS Life Skills results?

Test results are normally available within 6 days of your test.