About IELTS

The International English Language Testing System(IELTS) is one of the most popular and widely-accepted English Proficiency Exams out there, being a widely recognized assessment for language ability for candidates looking to work, study or immigrate to a country where English is the native language of communication. IELTS is partly owned by three partners: the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, the British Council and IDP: Education Australia.

Test Format

The test as a whole has 6 modules and candidates are offered a choice of reading and writing module based on whether they are attempting the Academic or General Training version. The Academic exam is meant for candidates looking to take up education abroad or for certain professional aspirations, whereas the General Training version offers opportunities vocational or training programs outside of the scope of a degree, for secondary school admissions and for immigration.

Listening

The listening module consists of four sections each with 10 questions, giving a cumulative of forty questions. The first two sections in the exam deal with general conversations, the first generally being a conversation between two people to meet a general need and the second section being a monologue on a general topic. The latter two sections of the four are academic oriented, with section three having  a conversation involving up to four people and the fourth section being a monologue. Myriads of question types are used in assessing the listening proficiency of the candidate, based on the audio clip which is played once only.

Academic Reading

This module encompasses three sections among which are divided 40 questions. The three different passages are often on topics of general interest with an academic take to it and are very often arranged in increasing order of difficulty. This module tests the comprehensive skills of the candidate with varied questions type from fill in the blanks to locating and identifying information.

General Reading

Similar to academic reading, general reading too has three sections with a total of 40 questions. The texts are often more general information oriented, being from : notices, adverts, newspapers and such. The first section is solely focused on basic informative language aimed to convey factual information, the second section has more complex language, dealing with training context. The third section has a more extended text, which has complex grammar and is descriptive in nature. This module tests the comprehensive skills of the candidate with varied questions type from fill in the blanks to locating and identifying information.

Academic Writing

This module consists of two tasks with a 60 minute time cap, candidates are generally suggested to spend no more than 20 minutes on the first task writing at least 150 words and consequently no more than 40 minutes in the second one reaching at the very least 250 words.

Task one requires the candidate to essentially convert visual data  provided by a diagram or a graph into written format, for which they are assessed on organization, presentation and comparison wherever relevant. The second  task is an essay where a view, argument or problem is presented and the ability to solve, present, justify, compare, contrast and evaluate ideas, evidence or arguments is put to the test.

General Writing

This module consists of two tasks with a 60 minute time cap, candidates are generally suggested to spend no more than 20 minutes on the first task writing at least 150 words and consequently no more than 40 minutes in the second one reaching at the very least 250 words.

Task one requires the candidate to construct a letter to a given situation. Assessment is done on the ability to engage, elicit and provide information, express needs and opinions and such.  The second  task is an essay where a view, argument or problem is presented and the ability to solve, present, justify, compare, contrast and evaluate ideas, evidence or arguments is put to the test.

Speaking

This module can take anywhere between 11 and 15 minutes, is made of three parts and is conducted in an interview format by a trained examiner.

Part 1

The candidate and examiner introduce themselves and the candidate is required to answer questions pertaining to general information about themselves such as their home, family, jobs, studies, interest and such. The examiner can also introduce a general topic of conversation and ask questions about it.

Part 2

The candidate is given a task card with question prompts and is required to talk on a particular topic. One minute is given for preparation, where notes can be made if desired and the candidate has to speak for one to two minutes

Part 3

This part contains questions that are directed towards a discussion on the various abstract issues which are related to the question in part 2.

The speaking session is meant to assess if the candidate can properly understand and communicate effectively in English, taking into account Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resources, Grammatical Range and Accuracy and Pronunciation.

Test Scoring

The results are reported on a nine-band scale. The Exam provides an overall language score as well as one for each of the four skills of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, which too are on a nine-band scale. Each overall score also corresponds to a specific level of CEFR proficiency (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2).

IELTS for UKVI and Life Skills Tests UKVI

IELTS for UKVI is an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) for visa applications to the UK, with the format being much the same as IELTS- Academic/General or PTE- Academic and must be taken at one of the approved centres, meeting administrative guidelines outlined by UK Home Office. This test is required to study, work or migrate to the UK or even to procure a UK Spouse Visa.

An assessment of reading, writing, speaking and listening abilities are required for the following:

  • Innovator
  • Start-up
  • Skilled Worker
  • Minister of Religion
  • Student

An assessment of speaking and listening abilities are required for the following:

  • Sportsperson
  • Representative of an Overseas Business
  • Partner
  • Parent
  • Settlement (also known as indefinite leave to remain)
  • Citizenship

If you are Outside of the UK

You can only take a SELT with one of the following providers:

  • IELTS SELT Consortium – ‘IELTS for UKVI’ or ‘IELTS Life Skills’
  • LanguageCert – ‘LanguageCert International ESOL SELT’
  • Pearson – ‘PTE Academic UKVI’ or ‘PTE Home’
  • PSI Services (UK) Ltd – ‘Skills for English UKVI’

The test can be rendered in both pen and paper and computer-based formats. For the latter the exam results are available in 3-5 days, where Listening, Reading and Writing is computer based, while Speaking is still face-to-face on the same day of the other three modules.

What is IELTS Life Skills?

IELTS Life Skills is meant for seekers of a UK visa who wish to prove their speaking and listening skills, and is available at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) levels A1 and B1.

It is designed for:

  • IELTS Life Skills A1: If you are applying for a ‘family of a settled person’ visa
  • IELTS Life Skills B1: If you are applying for a ‘indefinite leave to remain or citizenship’ visa

Availability of IELTS Life Skills Test

IELTS Life Skills tests are available throughout the world, in locations specified by UKVI and tests from other locations are not accepted by the UKVI. This must be confirmed at the time of taking the test.

Format of the IELTS Life Skills Test

This test is specifically designed to test Speaking and Listening skills in an everyday setting with topics such as:

  • Personal experiences
  • Friends and family
  • Buying good
  • Education, work or training
  • Weather, leisure or travel
  • Transport, housing, health, and more

 

A1 B1
Test Focus
  • listen and respond to spoken language, including simple narratives, statements, questions and single-step instructions
  • basic information, feelings and opinions on familiar topics
  • talk with another person in a familiar situation about familiar topics
  • listen and respond to spoken language, including straightforward information and narratives, and follow straightforward explanations and instructions.
  • communicate information, feelings and opinions on familiar topics, using appropriate formality.
  • talk with one or more people in a familiar situation, making relevant points and responding to what others say to reach a shared understanding about familiar topics.
Tasks Tasks may include:

  • Describing
  • Giving opinions
  • Giving personal information
  • Stating preferences
  • Commenting
  • Asking for information or descriptions
  • Agreeing and disagreeing
  • Explaining, giving reasons or justifying
  • Deciding
  • Suggesting
  • Selecting
In addition to the A1 tasks shown on the left, the B1 tasks may include:

  • Comparing
  • Showing contrast, cause, reason or purpose
  • Prioritising
  • Planning
  • Persuading
  • Narrating
  • Asking about past or future events
  • Expressing future certainty or possibility

 

You take the test with another test taker and one examiner, during which your performance is assessed independently with no break in between.

Sl No. Test Type Test Duration
1 IELTS Life Skills CEFR Level A1 16–18 minutes
2 IELTS Life Skills CEFR Level B1 22 minutes

IELTS Life Skills Assessment Criteria
A certified IELTS examiner assesses your performance based on:

  • Obtaining information
  • Conveying information
  • Speaking to communicate
  • Engaging in discussion

Test Results
You can get your IELTS Life Skills result within seven days of your attempt. Your TRF is sent to the postal address you mention at the time of filling up your registration form.