IELTS Life Skills A1 is a speaking and listening test of about 20 minutes, taken face to face with an examiner and one other test taker. It is approved by UK Visas and Immigration for first-time UK spouse and partner visas, and the result is simply pass or fail. In the UK it costs about £182 to £209, depending on the test centre.
Checked against official sources: November 2026 (IELTS and GOV.UK). Check both before you book.
Who needs IELTS Life Skills A1?
You need an A1 English test if you are applying for a UK family visa as a partner or spouse for the first time and you are not exempt. IELTS Life Skills A1 is one of four approved options. The others are PTE Home A1, LanguageCert ESOL SELT A1 and Trinity GESE Grade 2. See our comparison of all four spouse visa English tests.
IELTS Life Skills comes in three levels:
| Level | Used for |
|---|---|
| A1 | First family visa as a partner or parent |
| A2 | Extending a family visa (offered in the UK only) |
| B1 | Settlement (ILR) before 26 March 2027, and British citizenship |
What happens in the IELTS Life Skills A1 test?
- Length: about 20 minutes.
- Who is in the room: you, an examiner and one other test taker.
- Skills: speaking and listening only. There is no reading or writing.
- Result: pass or fail. You do not get a band score.
The test is a guided conversation. The examiner asks questions, you listen to short recordings, and you talk about everyday topics with the examiner and the other candidate.
What you are marked on
IELTS lists three things the examiner is looking for:
- Listening and responding: do you understand what you hear and reply appropriately?
- Making your meaning clear: can the examiner understand what you are saying?
- Talking with other people: can you take part in a short, simple exchange?
Typical A1 tasks
At A1 IELTS says you should be able to:
- describe simple things: your family, your home, your job, your day
- give opinions in a simple way ("I like…", "I don't like… because…")
- decide between simple options with another person
Example topics
The test uses everyday subjects. Be ready to talk about:
- yourself and your family
- where you live and your home town
- work, studies or what you do each day
- food, shopping and free time
- transport and getting around
- the weather and seasons
Example questions to practise
These are the kind of simple questions you can expect at A1. Practise answering each one out loud in one to three short sentences.
- What is your name? Where are you from?
- Who is in your family?
- Where do you live? What is your home like?
- What do you do every day?
- What do you like to eat?
- What do you do at the weekend?
- How do you get to work or the shops?
- What is the weather like today?
A good A1 answer is short, clear and complete. For example: "I live in a flat in Leeds. It has two bedrooms. I like it because it is near the park." You do not need long or complicated sentences.
How to pass IELTS Life Skills A1
- Answer in full, simple sentences. "Yes" or "no" on its own is not enough. Add one detail: "Yes, I have two children. They are five and eight."
- Ask if you don't understand. "Sorry, can you say that again, please?" is fine and shows good communication.
- Talk to the other candidate, not just the examiner. Part of the mark is talking with other people, so respond to what they say.
- Practise out loud every day. Describe what you are doing as you cook, shop or travel.
- Listen to slow, clear English such as learner podcasts or short videos about everyday life.
- Use the official IELTS Life Skills sample material so the format is not a surprise.
How much does IELTS Life Skills A1 cost?
IELTS centre listings show £182 at British Council centres such as Edinburgh and Manchester, and the British Council UK gives a range of £182 to £209. Prices outside the UK are different. Always check the price on the official booking page for your centre.
Book only through the official British Council or IDP booking websites. The British Council warns that fake registration sites exist.
When do you get your result, and how long is it valid?
You receive a pass or fail result. Your test must have been awarded within 2 years of the date you apply for your visa (GOV.UK). Plan your test date around your application date.
Should you take B1 instead of A1?
GOV.UK lets you take a higher level than you need. A B1 pass covers your first visa and can be reused for the A2 extension. It only covers settlement if you apply before 26 March 2027, because ILR applications after that date need B2. If your English is already good, one B1 test can save you a later fee. If you are a beginner, A1 now is the sensible step.
What comes next?
After your first visa you will need A2 to extend after about 2.5 years (see our A2 English test guide), and then B1 (or B2 for applications from 26 March 2027) plus the Life in the UK test for settlement after 5 years. See the full spouse visa route.
Free IELTS Life Skills A1-style practice
Practise each part of the test: questions about you (part 1a), asking and answering with a partner (part 1b) and listening (part 2a). Then take a free A1 mock test in the IELTS Life Skills style.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the IELTS Life Skills A1 test?
About 20 minutes. You take it face to face with an examiner and one other test taker.
Is IELTS Life Skills A1 pass or fail?
Yes. IELTS Life Skills gives a pass or fail result rather than a band score.
How much does IELTS Life Skills A1 cost in the UK?
IELTS centre listings show £182 at British Council centres such as Edinburgh and Manchester, and the British Council UK gives a range of £182 to £209. Check the price for your chosen centre before you book.
What questions are asked in IELTS Life Skills A1?
Simple everyday questions about you, your family, your home, your daily routine, food, shopping, transport and free time. You also listen to short recordings and have a simple discussion with the other test taker.
Can I take IELTS Life Skills A1 online?
No. It must be taken in person at an approved test centre. UK visa English tests cannot be taken online or at home.
Is IELTS Life Skills A1 accepted for a spouse visa?
Yes. IELTS Life Skills A1 is an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) for a first-time UK family visa as a partner or spouse.