IELTS Life Skills test

What is IELTS Life Skills?

IELTS Life Skills is a speaking and listening test taken face to face with one examiner and one other test taker. It is on the GOV.UK list at A1, A2 and B1 (GOV.UK SELT guidance). IELTS says the result is Pass or Fail and the test is not scored with marks.

IELTS says the test checks whether you can listen and respond, make your meaning clear, and talk with other people.

Levels and where it is used

There are three levels. GOV.UK says partner and parent visa applications and settlement use speaking and listening tests, and citizenship does too. Which level you need depends on your route. Check gov.uk for your situation.

• IELTS Life Skills A1: up to 18 minutes
• IELTS Life Skills A2: up to 20 minutes
• IELTS Life Skills B1: up to 22 minutes

From 26 March 2027, settlement needs B2 speaking and listening. IELTS Life Skills has no B2 level. See B2 English test.

What happens in the test, step by step

1. Phase 1a: the examiner asks each candidate personal questions. At B1 the candidates also ask each other about a topic.
2. Phase 1b: you prepare, then talk or ask questions about an assigned topic. The other candidate asks you questions.
3. Phase 2a: listening to short recordings, with a main idea task and spoken detail questions on a second play.
4. Phase 2b: you and the other candidate discuss a topic together. At B1 you first plan and decide something together.

Availability, results and fee

ielts.org says the A2 test is only offered in the UK. The GOV.UK outside-UK list still includes IELTS Life Skills A2, with an effective date of 7 April 2020. Check where you can sit the test before you book.

The time for results and the fee in pounds are not confirmed in the sources we checked. The British Council and IDP booking pages show current details.

Test pages and sample tests

IELTS publishes sample tests A and B at each level, with an examiner frame and audio, on its sample questions page. Our guides for each level explain the phases and how to practise: A1, A2 and B1.

How to prepare

Find a practice partner, because the test is paired. Practise asking questions as well as answering them.

You can also practise with an AI examiner that can play the other candidate, or take the free level check, no sign-up, at level check.