Life Skills IELTS Test : All the Essentials You Need to Know to Succeed in the Test
The IELTS Life Skills test is an English language test designed to test a candidate’s speaking and listening skills. This test assesses whether a candidate has the necessary speaking and listening skills to meet United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements for certain visa categories and other immigration purposes.
Nacel English School London can help you prepare for this IELTS test. Contact the school staff for more information.
What type of test is Life Skills IELTS?
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a test that measures English language proficiency. People who plan to study or work in English take the test. It can also be used by those who are emigrating to an English-speaking country. The IELTS uses a nine-band scale to identify language proficiency (1 = no English proficiency, while 9 = near-native proficiency). To get a clearer idea, you can consult the comparison of the IELTS with the TOEFL test or the CELPIP.
IELTS Life Skills is aimed at people who need to demonstrate their speaking and listening skills in English at levels A1, A2 or B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It is designed specifically for UK visa applications as a test of listening and speaking skills. For example, a person who needs to prove his or her level of English for UK visa and immigration purposes could take the IELTS Life Skills test; however, a person who is thinking of entering university would not.
A certified IELTS examiner will evaluate your performance throughout the test based on the following 4 criteria:
- Obtaining information.
- Transmit information.
- Talking to communicate.
- Participation in a debate.
Your score and assessment will not be affected by the performance of the other test taker who is paired with you in the IELTS Life Skills test.
You will receive a copy of the IELTS Life Skills test report form normally within 7 days of your test and you can take this test as many times as you like if you fail. However, you are required to register each time you sit for this exam.
IELTS Life Skills A1
This test is for those who need to demonstrate their ability to speak and listen in English as part of theirfamily, spouse or partner visa application to the UK Immigration Service. It lasts between 16 and 18 minutes.
Level A1 is within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), the equivalent of ESOL Entry 1 in the National Qualification Framework (NQF).
The test consists of speaking and listening. The examinee is expected to be able to:
- Listen and respond to oral language, including simple narratives, statements, questions, and one-step directions
- Communicate basic information, feelings, and opinions on familiar topics.
- Talking to another person in a familiar situation about familiar topics
IELTS Listening: This part of the IELTS test contains 40 questions and is 30 minutes long. On the paper-based IELTS, you will have an extra 10 minutes to transfer your answers onto a computerized answer sheet, while on the IELTS CD, you will only have an extra 2 minutes.
IELTS Life Skills A2
The IELTS Life Skill A2 test is only available in the UK, you will not be able to take it if you are from another region.
This exam tests your listening and speaking skills at level A2 of the Common European Framework (CEFR). It is a 16 to 18 minute test with one test taker and one other examiner. The examinee shall:
- Perform the test with an examiner. You will be required to participate in short discussions on everyday topics.
At each level, the test is designed to assess whether you are able to listen and respond, make your meaning clear, and talk to other people.
IELTS Life Skills B1
This test is for those who need to demonstrate their ability to speak and listen in English as part of their UK visa and immigration application for citizenship/settlement visa. It lasts 22 minutes.
Level B1 is within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and is the equivalent of ESOL level 3 in the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The test also consists of speaking and listening.
The examinee is expected to be able to:
- Listen and respond to oral language, including direct information and narratives, and follow direct explanations and instructions.
- Communicate information, feelings and opinions on familiar topics, using appropriate formality.
- Talking with one or more people in a family situation, making relevant points and responding to what others say to reach a shared understanding on family issues.
IELTS Life Skills practice tests
It has been scientifically verified that people who arrive prepared to an evaluation instance obtain better results. Preparing properly for the IELTS Life Skill test is substantial, as it will help you arrive better prepared.
The Internet offers many methods to help you in the learning and self-assessment process. You can find dozens of useful practice tests and resources. The official website of the exam offers resources and guides to help future test takers throughout the learning process, thus making their lives easier. In this case, one of the many locations of the British Council offers IELTS preparation and examples.
There are also many academies specializing in English language instruction and international exams. In this case, Escuela Nacel offers many fruitful resources for people. From evaluation tests, to native teachers capable of solving any kind of questions.
While it is true that it is possible to perform this exam in a completely self-taught way, as we mentioned before. The resources are many, it is very important to prepare it properly and if possible with the best possible company. For this very reason, there are many institutions dedicated to prepare hundreds of students year after year. The results are usually better and more positive when you have someone accompanying you along the way. Even so, we recommend that you prepare for the exam with an experienced teacher.
