Prepare for your UK Visas and Immigration speaking test. Master the paired candidate format for A1 and B1 certificates, practise with real sample cards, and get your visa sorted.
Visit Official IELTS SiteIELTS Life Skills is designed for candidates who need to prove their English speaking and listening skills to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). The A1 test supports partner or parent visa applications, whilst B1 is for citizenship or settlement.
During the test, the examiner will hand you and your partner candidate a topic card. You must ask each other questions and plan an activity together. Here is a common paired planning prompt.
The IELTS Life Skills test is completed with one examiner and one other candidate. This paired setup tests your ability to listen and respond naturally to another person. The exam runs for about 16 to 22 minutes depending on your level.
The examiner will ask both candidates basic personal questions about everyday life, such as your home, family, local area, transport, or weather.
Then, the examiner will assign a topic. You must ask your partner questions about it, and then answer their questions on a different topic.
Both candidates will listen to a short audio recording (usually two everyday announcements or instructions) played by the examiner.
You will answer a few basic, factual questions about what you heard. Afterwards, you will have a short conversation with the other candidate on a topic related to the audio tracks.
You will work directly with the other candidate to solve a simple problem or plan an event using a prompt sheet provided by the examiner.
You must share suggestions, discuss options, and come to a joint agreement on what to do.
Watch an official mock demonstration of the IELTS Life Skills B1 exam to observe the interaction between the candidates and the examiner.
Can you ask clear, grammatically correct questions to get information from the other speaker? This shows you can handle daily logistics and administrative conversations in the UK.
Can you explain simple situations, give clear instructions, or describe a past event so that others understand you without difficulty? Clear word choice is highly valued here.
Do you respond politely to suggestions? Can you show agreement or disagreement, negotiate plans, and check that your partner understands what you are saying?
Is your speech easy to follow? You do not need to speak quickly or hold a perfect accent, but you must sound natural and avoid long, uncomfortable pauses.
This test is for people applying for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). The A1 test is for family route visas (spouse/partner), while the B1 test is required for citizenship, settlement, or permanent residency.
Your results are valid for exactly two years from the date you sit the exam, in line with standard UK Home Office regulations.
Yes, but there are only two possible results: Pass or Fail. If you do not meet the required level of communication, or fail to interact naturally with the other candidate, you will receive a fail mark.
