You might need to take one of the IELTS for UKVI tests if you plan to immigrate to the UK. Depending on your visa, you can choose between the IELTS for UKVI Academic, IELTS for UKVI General Training, and IELTS for UKVI Life Skills tests.
1. IELTS for UKVI Academic
This test is for individuals who wish to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, and for those seeking professional registration in the UK.
2. IELTS for UKVI General Training
This test is for people who wish to migrate to the UK and for those wishing to train or study below degree level.
3. IELTS Life Skills A1
This is for those who are applying to UK Visas and Immigration for “family of a settled person” visas and need to demonstrate their proficiency in speaking and listening in English.
4. IELTS Life Skills A2 (UK only)
This test is for people who are applying to UK Visas and Immigration for an extension of their Family, Spouse, or Partner visa and need to prove their abilities to speak and listen in English.
Note: This test is only available in the UK.
5. IELTS Life Skills B1
This test is for people who need to prove their proficiency in speaking and listening in English in order to submit an application to UK Visas and Immigration for citizenship or indefinite leave to remain.
What is IELTS for UKVI?
A Secure English Language Test (SELT) authorised by the UK government is called “IELTS for UKVI”. IELTS can therefore be used to support a UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) application by demonstrating your English language proficiency. The IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training for UKVI are created to satisfy particular administrative demands outlined by the UK Home Office.
Since the UKVI Academic IELTS includes both the entry for the UK Home Office and the Nursing and Midwifery Council, it is the easiest test for the majority of applicants to take. Moreover it is the more challenging test, with a lower passing rate.
What is the difference between IELTS and IELTS UKVI tests?
In terms of format, subject matter, scoring, and degree of difficulty, IELTS and IELTS for UKVI are exactly equal tests. The Test Report Form, which includes your results, is slightly different, though, to reflect the fact that you took the exam at a venue authorised by the UK Home Office as an official IELTS for UKVI testing centre.
Those who are interested in working or studying in the UK should consider taking IELTS UKVI. You must apply for a UK visa if you intend to work or study in the UK. IELTS UKVI is a Secure English Test that has been approved by the UK Government (SELT). There is no pass or fail in the IELTS exam – you will still be given a band score for each of the four IELTS modules – listening, speaking, reading, and writing—ranging from 1 to 9. So long as you receive good scores, demonstrating your command of the English language, it will be clear that you are a non-native speaker if you were unable to receive a good score in each of the modules.
Whereas, IELTS General Training has slightly different listening and speaking modules, but not significantly. The writing and reading portions, however, differ slightly. IELTS general training therefore aids in assessing English proficiency in a regular, useful context. Furthermore, IELTS general is simpler than IELTS UKVI.
What are the major types of IELTS UKVI tests?
IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training are the two major types of IELTS UKVI. Both exams evaluate your abilities in speaking, reading, writing, and listening in English. You should take the IELTS Academic test if you intend to study abroad in an English-speaking nation. The IELTS General Training test is advised for immigration or employment purposes.
1. IELTS Academic
For those wishing to attend a university or environment where English is the primary language, the IELTS Academic test is appropriate (higher education). For the purpose of professional registration, you can also take IELTS Academic. The exam evaluates your preparation to start studying in English. It uses terminology that is common in academic contexts. You have the option of taking the IELTS Academic on paper, online, or at home or another appropriate location.
2. IELTS General Training
IELTS General Training is appropriate for applicants who want to study below the degree level. This includes a school or college with an English-speaking population. It may also be used for internships or other forms of employment training. Also necessary for immigration to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK is IELTS General Training. The test covers common English language abilities that you’ll need in social and professional settings. IELTS General Training is only available for computer and paper testing.
What are the Advantages of IELTS for UKVI?
The benefits of taking the IELTS UKVI test include the following:
- Students have the option to take the test from any location thanks to more than 1000 test centres approved by the UK Home Office in the UK and abroad.
- A student does not have to retake the IELTS for the UKVI exam if they fail it. The student will instead be accepted for the UK Visa with the requirement that they enrol in a pre-sessional English language course in the UK.
- A student’s ability to obtain PR (Permanent residency) in the UK after completing their degree programme will be facilitated by a UKVI IELTS score.
Additionally, you are not required to take the IELTS Academic for the UK. You can pursue an undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD level course in the UK by meeting the standard IELTS academic requirements in addition to being eligible to enrol in any university in the country.
However, in this situation, you must be certain that you will meet the minimum score requirements set by the university of your choice; if not, you will need to retake the exam until you achieve the necessary scores. The IELTS for UK (academic) is more beneficial because you won’t have to retake the test even if your IELTS scores fall short of what a university requires. You will only need to complete a pre-sessional English course instead.
Where can I take the IELTS Life Skills test?
IELTS Life Skills tests are available throughout the world, in locations specified by UKVI. You can easily book your IELTS life skills test online at British Council website. There are three stages to booking your IELTS test:
- Check the availability and select your test date.
- Create an account with the British Council.
- Book and pay.
What is the format of the IELTS Life Skills test?
IELTS Life Skills is for people who need to prove their English speaking and listening skills at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Levels A1, A2 or B1.IELTS Life Skills is available at three levels:
- IELTS Life Skills – A1 Speaking and Listening
- IELTS Life Skills – A2 Speaking and Listening
- IELTS Life Skills – B1 Speaking and Listening
The tasks in IELTS Life Skills are designed to reflect the everyday experience of communicating in an English-speaking country. You will be expected to take part in short discussions on
everyday subjects including:
- personal details/experiences
- family and friends
- buying goods
- work
- health
- leisure
- education/training
- transport
- weather
In A1 You will be expected to:
listen and respond to spoken language including simple narratives, statements, questions and instructions
converse basic information, feelings and opinions on familiar topics
Communicate with another person in a similar situation about familiar topics.
In A2 You will be expected to focus on:
listen and respond to spoken language, including straightforward information, short narratives, explanations and instructions
communicate information, feelings and opinions on familiar topics
discuss with one or more people in a familiar situation, to establish shared understanding about familiar topics.
In B1 you need to focus on:
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.
What is included in IELTS for UKVI?
The IELTS for UKVI exams are expected to meet particular administrative specifications specified by the UK Home Office and are administered at a test centre recognised by the UKVI.
The actual test that is conducted has the same content, score, format and complexity level as IELTS tests for all other reasons. Assessment Report Forms will be slightly changed to reflect the fact that you took the test at a facility approved by the UKVI.
IELTS UKVI Registration, Dates and Fees
You can find all the details of UKVI registration, dates and fee here.
FAQs
Question 1: Is UKVI easier than IELTS?
Answer: The format, content, scoring, and difficulty level of IELTS are all the same for UKVI. In order to prove that you took the exam at a facility authorised by the UK Home Office as an official IELTS for UKVI testing centre, a small change was made to the Test Report Form that contains your results.
Question 2: Is UKVI the same as IELTS?
Answer: The format, content, scoring, and difficulty level of IELTS are all the same for UKVI. In order to prove that you took the exam at a facility authorised by the UK Home Office as an official IELTS for UKVI testing centre, a small change was made to the Test Report Form that contains your results.
Question 3: What IELTS do I need for UKVI?
Answer: Where IELTS Life Skills is used, IELTS for UKVI may also be used; test takers must achieve a Speaking and Listening score of 4.0 or higher (scores for Reading and Writing will be ignored).
Question 4: How much does IELTS UKVI cost?
Answer: You can find all the details of the IELTS UKVI fee here.
Question 5: What is the difference between IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training?
Answer: IELTS Academic testing is typically required for admission to universities. On the other hand, IELTS General Training is used for immigration.
Question 6: Can I use my IELTS Academic results for migration purposes?
Answer: IELTS Academic and General Training are entirely different test types used for different purposes. While some particular organisations might accept an academic result in terms of general training, it is up to them to make that choice. To find out more, you must get in touch with your specific organisation.
Question 7: I am a native speaker. Do I need to take the IELTS test?
Answer: To get a visa to enter a country that speaks English, native English speakers must take and successfully pass the IELTS exam. In fact, the IELTS test is the only format of test that is accepted by immigration agencies in some countries.
Question 8: In what order will I complete the IELTS test?
Answer: The first 3 segments of the test i.e Listening, Reading, and Writing will be conducted on the same day (there are no breaks between these tests). Depending on local arrangements, your speaking test will either take place that day, seven days beforehand, or after.
Question 9: Is IELTS UKVI Harder to Pass? | Is IELTS Easier Than UKVI
Answer: Both of them. IELTS and IELTS UKVI are of the same level of difficulty.
Question 10: What is the validity of IELTS UKVI?
Answer: your IELTS result is valid for the duration of two years beginning on the date of your exam.
Question 11: Is IELTS UKVI accepted in other countries apart from the UK?
Answer: No, because in order to study or settle in the UK, you must take the IELTS test known as IELTS for UKVI, which has been approved for UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) purposes.
Question 12: IELTS test and score required for UK visa applications
Answer: If you want to work or study in the UK, you might need to apply for a UK Visa and prove that you have the necessary level of English by passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) that has been approved by the Home Office, such as the IELTS for UKVI (Academic and General Training) or the IELTS Life Skills. Whereas, the required score for UK visa application is 4.0 or above.
Question 13: Are 5.5 bands eligible for a UK visa?
Answer: Yes, 5.5 bands eligible for a UK visa.
Question 14: What is the duration of UKVI IELTS?
Answer: The duration of UKVI IELTS is: Listening Task: 40 minutes, Reading: 60 minutes, Writing: 60 minutes and Speaking: 15 minutes.
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