IELTS Life Skills Practice Test

IELTS Life Skills is a SELT that assesses only speaking and listening skills at CEFR levels A1, A2, or B1, specifically for UK visa and immigration applications. In contrast, IELTS Academic and General Training assess reading, writing, listening, and speaking for broader purposes like university admission or general migration. Life Skills is conducted as a face-to-face interaction with an examiner and one other candidate, focusing entirely on communicative, survival English.

It is required for specific family, settlement, and citizenship applications. Common routes include: Family of a Settled Person visas (requiring A1), Further Leave to Remain (requiring A2), and Indefinite Leave to Remain or Citizenship (requiring B1, also known as 'Life in the UK' level). You must always check the latest UKVI guidance, as requirements are subject to change and depend on your specific visa category.

The test lasts 16-22 minutes. Candidates are assessed in four key areas: obtaining information, conveying information, speaking to communicate, and engaging in discussion. You will participate in a structured conversation with the examiner, which includes listening to a task played on a CD and discussing it, and also have a direct conversation with the other candidate. You are graded as a 'Pass' or 'Fail' based on your performance across these communicative criteria.

For routes specifying a SELT, you must use a test from a UKVI-approved provider, like IELTS Life Skills or IELTS for UKVI (Academic/General Training). Other general English qualifications are not accepted for these specific immigration purposes. It is critical to select the correct test (Life Skills vs. other IELTS for UKVI) based on the exact level and skills required by your visa category.

For UKVI purposes, the IELTS Life Skills certificate is valid for two years from the test date. You must ensure your visa application is submitted within this validity period. This aligns with the standard UKVI policy on English language certificate validity for immigration applications.