What is the IELTS A1 Life Skills Test?

The IELTS A1 Life Skills Test is a speaking and listening test that assesses the English language skills of candidates who are applying for a family visa to settle in the UK. The test is only available to candidates who are outside the UK and who are required to demonstrate their knowledge of English for visa purposes.

The test is designed to be a simple and straightforward way for applicants to demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively in English in everyday situations. The test is also designed to be accessible to candidates with a basic knowledge of English, and it assesses the language skills needed to cope with everyday life in the UK.

Who takes A1 Life Skills:

The IELTS A1 Life Skills Test is designed for individuals who need to demonstrate their ability to use English in everyday situations. It is typically taken by individuals who are applying for a UK Spouse or Partner Visa, or for an extension of a UK visa.

The test is also suitable for individuals who need to demonstrate their English language proficiency for work or study purposes in the UK, or for immigration purposes. It is an ideal test for individuals who have a basic level of English proficiency and want to improve their communication skills in everyday situations.

What does the IELTS A1 Life Skills Test involve?

The IELTS A1 Life Skills Test is a one-to-one interview with an examiner or it may include another candidate/test taker. Both candidate's result or speaking abilities do not affect others' results. The test lasts for approximately 16-18 minutes and consists of two main parts: a conversation and a transactional dialogue.

In the conversation part of the test, the examiner will ask the candidate questions about themselves, their interests, and their daily routines. This is designed to give the candidate an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to use basic English grammar and vocabulary to express themselves in a conversational context.

In the transactional dialogue part of the test, the examiner will ask the candidate to complete a task that involves a real-life situation, such as buying something in a shop or asking for directions. The candidate will be given a prompt card with information about the situation, and they will be expected to use English to communicate effectively with the examiner.

Test Format:

There are 2 main parts of the test. Both parts have sub-parts A and B

Part 1 (A):

This part of the IELTS A1 Life Skills Test is the conversation part, where the examiner will ask the candidate questions about themselves, their interests, and their daily routines. The purpose of this section is to assess the candidate's ability to use basic English grammar and vocabulary in a conversational context.

During this part of the test, the examiner will ask the candidate a series of questions and engage them in conversation. The candidate is expected to answer the questions using basic English grammar and vocabulary.

For example, the examiner might ask the candidate:

Can you tell me about yourself?

What kind of work do you do?

What do you like to do in your free time?

Do you have any hobbies?

The candidate is expected to respond using simple, clear language. For instance, the candidate might say:

My name is Urooj Khan. I come from Pakistan, but I'm living in the UK now. I work in a restaurant as a waitress. In my free time, I like to watch TV and play football with my friends.

I am a student. I am studying at a college. I like to play computer games and listen to music.

I work as a nurse in a hospital. In my free time, I like to read books and watch movies.

The examiner will listen carefully to the candidate's responses and assess their ability to use basic grammar and vocabulary to communicate effectively in a conversational context. Candidates who are able to respond clearly and effectively will have a better chance of passing this part of the test.

 

Part 1(B):

Part 1b of the IELTS A1 Life Skills Test is the transactional dialogue part, where the examiner will ask the candidate to complete a task that involves a real-life situation, such as buying something in a shop or asking for directions. The purpose of this section is to assess the candidate's ability to use English to communicate effectively in everyday situations.

During this part of the test, the examiner will give the candidate/candidates a prompt card with information about the situation, such as traveling, hoteling, or food. The candidate will be expected to use English to communicate effectively with another participant or the examiner and complete the task successfully.

For example, the examiner may ask you to ask questions (from candidate B), or the examiner on a certain given topic

For example, the topic is ‘’Travelling’’

The candidate is expected to ask questions from candidate B/examiner, using appropriate English grammar and vocabulary. For instance, the candidate might say:

Do you like traveling?

How often do you travel?

When was the last time you traveled abroad?

The Candidate B/examiner will then respond, giving candidate A further information. The candidate will be expected to respond appropriately and complete the transaction.

The examiner will assign a topic to Candidate B, then Candidate B will ask questions regarding that topic from Candidate A (if the test includes Candidates A and B).

The examiner will assess the candidate's ability to use English to communicate effectively in a real-life situation, using appropriate grammar and vocabulary. Candidates who are able to complete the task successfully will have a better chance of passing this part of the test

 

Part 2(A):

In this part of the test, both candidates are going to listen to two recordings and answer some questions. You can make notes [indicate paper] if you want to.

The examiner will play the recordings marked as 1 and 2. He will then ask questions from a specific recording (let's say recording 1) from Candidate B and questions (from recording 2) from Candidate A.

After this, the examiner will play recordings 1, and 2 again, and will ask questions from Candidate A regarding recording 1 and questions from Candidate B regarding recording 2.

 

Part 2(B):

Part 2 (b) of the IELTS A1 Life Skills Test is the collaborative task part, where the candidate is required to communicate with the examiner and another candidate to complete a task. The purpose of this section is to assess the candidate's ability to use English to collaborate with others and complete a task together.

During this part of the test, the examiner will give the candidates a task to complete together, such as planning a party or discussing a holiday plan. The candidates will be expected to communicate with each other and the examiner to complete the task successfully.

For example, the examiner might give the candidates the following task:

"You are planning a birthday party for a friend. You need to discuss the decorations, food, and music. Work together to make a plan."

The candidates are expected to collaborate with each other and communicate using appropriate English grammar and vocabulary. They will be expected to exchange ideas, agree on a plan, and make suggestions to each other.

For instance, one candidate might say:

"I think we should have balloons and streamers for the decorations. What do you think?"

The other candidate might respond:

"I agree. For the food, we could have pizza and chips. And for the music, we could play some pop songs."

The examiner will listen carefully to the candidates' communication and assess their ability to collaborate and use English to complete the task successfully. Candidates who are able to work together effectively and communicate clearly will have a better chance of passing this part of the test.

 

How is the IELTS A1 Life Skills Test assessed?

The IELTS A1 Life Skills Test is assessed by a certified IELTS examiner who will be present during the interview. The examiner will assess the candidate's ability to communicate in English in a range of everyday situations, using the following criteria:

Pronunciation: The ability to pronounce English words accurately and clearly.

Vocabulary: The ability to use a range of English words and phrases to communicate effectively.

Grammar: The ability to use English grammar correctly in a speech.

Discourse management: The ability to use English to convey ideas and maintain a conversation.

Interactive communication: The ability to use English to initiate and respond to conversation in an appropriate manner.

 

Test Result:

The results of the IELTS A1 Life Skills Test are typically available within 7 days of taking the test. The candidate will receive a certificate that shows their level of English proficiency in the areas of Speaking and Listening.

The certificate will show whether the candidate has passed or failed the test. In order to pass the test, the candidate must demonstrate that they can use English to communicate effectively in everyday situations. The candidate must achieve a minimum score of 4 out of 9 in each of the two sections, Speaking and Listening, to pass the test.

If the candidate passes the test, they will receive a certificate that is valid for two years. This certificate can be used as proof of English language proficiency for a variety of purposes, such as visa applications, work or study abroad, or immigration purposes.

If the candidate does not pass the test, they can retake the test as many times as they need to in order to achieve a passing score. The candidate will need to pay the test fee each time they retake the test.