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Non-EEA national partners and parents on the family route will need to pass a speaking and listening test at level A2 in order to qualify, after two-and-a half-years in the UK, for further leave to remain on the five-year partner or parent route to settlement.

Posted by Admin on Jan 21, 2016

This is exciting news: a new IELTS test called IELTS Life Skills is going to be available from April 2015. Candidates will be able to register and pay for their test from late March 2015.

Posted by Admin on Jan 13, 2015


Life Skills Assessment Levels

Assessment process There are four criteria each test taker is being assessed for:

  • 1. Obtaining information
  • 2. Conveying information
  • 3. Speaking to communicate
  • 4. Engaging in discussion

At times during the test candidates are allowed to take notes to prepare their answers. The examiner will not mark those notes and only the candidates’ speaking and listening skills are marked during the test.

There are two main parts to IELTS Life Skills test:
Part 1
In Part 1 candidates are expected to ask and answer questions on familiar topics.
Part 2
In Part 2 listening and speaking skills are tested at the same time.


Life Skills for Spouse Visa & Settlement

A1 and B1 levels: candidates will listen to a task played on a CD. Completing the task allows them to show ability to listen for both the general meaning and detail.

Candidates need to say their answers (not write them down), although they can make notes on paper while listening to the CD. Then there will be a discussion on a topic related to what candidates have listened to on the CD.

B1 level only: in addition to the tasks above there is also another task where one candidate plans an activity with the other candidate.

Note: the reason one candidate has to interact with the other is, IELTS Life Skills tests how well people can communicate with others in everyday English. The best way to test these skills is to put two test takers at a similar level of ability in a situation that allows them to show how well they can speak English to communicate and engage in discussion with others.

Test scores (results)
In this test you can get only one of two results: ‘pass’ or ‘below pass’ (which basically means fail). If you receive ‘below pass’ your result won’t allow you to proceed with your visa application.

Test duration
Compared to a standard IELTS test this is a quick test:
IELTS Life Skills at CEFR Level A1 takes only 16-18 minutes.
IELTS Life Skills at Level B1 takes 22 minutes.

Test Results
Test results are available within 6 days of the test.

The focus of the test
At each level, the test is designed to assess whether you can listen and respond, make your meaning clear, and talk with other people.