Sep 03, 2024
According to the OECD, international student mobility has grown by 10% annually over the past decade. This global academic pursuit not only broadens horizons but also significantly boosts employability.
While there are many leading study destinations, the UK has been one of the perennial favorites among international students. For those aspiring to study in the UK, demonstrating English language proficiency is vital to qualify for the eligibility criteria. Among the many tests, the UKVI IELTS is exclusively designed to meet the language standards required to communicate well in the UK.
This article offers a comprehensive exploration of UKVI IELTS, various test types, their format, and scoring criteria. Keep reading and start your IELTS preparation with confidence and clarity.
Table of Content
UKVI IELTS or IELTS for UKVI is a Secured English Language Test approved by the UK Government to help international students prove their English Language capabilities. UKVI IELTS can be used for students planning to study, work or for a visa.
For many categories of visas, students must submit the English language qualification included in the UK’s Secured English Language Test (SELT). There are different types of IELTS Tests that students can choose to prove their English Language Proficiency.
In the upcoming section, we will look at the different UKVI IELTS tests students can take for their UK visa.
There are different types of UKVI IELTS Tests that students can take to prove their English Language proficiency. These include:
The IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training for UKVI are created so that students can meet administrative requirements specified by the UK Government.
The test is similar to the other IELTS tests with similar format, content, examiners, difficulty level, scoring, and more. The difference is in the test Report format, which shows that the student has taken the test during the IELTS UK visa session.
This type of test is for people applying for a ‘family of a settled person’ visa or for an extension of the ‘family of a settled person’ visa for an indefinite time to remain or for citizenship.
It is a new test approved by UKVI as a secure English Language proficiency. This type of test is helpful for those who have to showcase their speaking and listening skills. UKVI IELTS Life Skills has Levels A1, A2, or B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Now that we know the types of tests, we will take a step toward understanding the format of UKVI IELTS Academic & General training.
UKVI IELTS, like the other IELTS exam, is divided into 4 categories based on skills Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.
The academic reading section of the test consists of 3 texts taken from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers. The texts are related to topics that the students might encounter during their Masters or Bachelors level of study or when applying for professional registration in an English-speaking environment. This part of the test takes approximately 60 minutes to solve.
The section consists of 40 questions. There are multiple types of questions like multiple choice, matching headings, summary completion, table completion, short answer questions, and more.
The writing section of the test has only 2 tasks. These tasks differ based on the type of test a student is taking, like academic and general training. This part of the test takes 60 minutes to complete.
The listening part of the IELTS test is divided into 4 parts. Each part has 10 questions. The questions in this section are in the same order as the information in the recording. The 1st and 2nd part of the test deals with everyday situations where a conversation is held between 2 speakers in part 1. In part 2 of the section, only one person speaks.
The 3rd and 4th parts of the section deal with educational and training situations. In part 3, the conversation between two speakers is a discussion. In part 4, there is only one speaker on an academic subject. This part of the test is 40 minutes long and has 40 questions.
The academic speaking part of the test is divided into 3 parts and can be 11-15 minutes long. This is a face-to-face round where the examiner asks students general questions about common topics like work, family, studies, interests, and hobbies.
In the 2nd part of the test, students will be given a minute to prepare on a topic. The 3rd part of the test is a two-way conversation, and the examiner will ask questions about the topic discussed in part 2.
We have seen the sections of the test closely, now it is time to see the registration fees required to take the UKVI IELTS exam.
The fees for different UKVI IELTS tests vary depending on the type of test. Here are the latest fees for 2024:
Test registration can be completed by visiting the official website of IELTS UKVI.
As we've explored in this article, UKVI IELTS is a crucial step for many aspiring international students and professionals. With its rigorous testing of various skills, it provides a comprehensive assessment of English language proficiency.
Whether you're aiming for academic pursuits or general training. Overseas Education offers a wealth of experience in IELTS preparation. We offer tailored services like Offline and IELTS Online Coaching test preparation that can help you navigate the complexities of the test.
With our pioneering faculty by your side, you'll not only be prepared for UKVI IELTS but also set on a path to make your study abroad dreams a reality! Connect with us today to know the details of our upcoming IELTS UKVI Batch!