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IELTS Life Skills A1 practice tests

Test format checked against official sources on 6 October 2026

IELTS Life Skills A1 is the speaking and listening test used for a first family visa application to the UK. It is the lowest level: short questions and answers about yourself and everyday life. It has no reading or writing, and the result is a pass or a fail.

Length
Up to 18 minutes
Skills
Speaking and listening
Taken with
An examiner and one other candidate
Result
Pass or fail

Choose a practice test

Each test has all four phases. The examiner and your partner are read aloud, the timed steps have a timer, and the listening task is marked for you. They are free and need no account.

The four phases of the A1 test

  1. Phase 1a

    The examiner asks you questions

    4 to 5 minutes

    Short questions about your name, where you come from, your work or studies, where you live and your free time.

  2. Phase 1b

    Ask your partner questions

    5 minutes

    The examiner gives each of you a topic. You have a minute and a half to think of questions, then you ask your partner for up to two minutes. Then your partner asks you.

  3. Phase 2a

    Listen to two recordings

    4 minutes

    You hear two people speaking, one after the other. You say what each one is about, choosing from three options. You hear them again and answer two questions about the details.

  4. Phase 2b

    Talk with your partner

    3 to 4 minutes

    You and your partner talk together about a topic linked to the recordings. The examiner only helps if the conversation stops.

What to expect at A1

  • The questions are short and about you: your name, family, home, work, town and free time.
  • You do not need long answers. One or two clear sentences is enough.
  • You must also ask questions, not only answer them. Phase 1b tests this.

How to prepare

  • Learn to spell your name aloud. The examiner often asks, and the English names of the letters are easy to mix up.
  • Practise question words. What, where, when, who, how many and how often will make most of the questions you need in Phase 1b.
  • Give one extra piece of information. "I live in a flat. It is near the park." is better than "A flat."
  • Listen for numbers. Prices, times and days come up again and again in the recordings.
  • Say when you do not understand. "Sorry, can you say that again, please?" is a good sentence to know.

Questions

How long is the IELTS Life Skills A1 test?
Up to 18 minutes. You take it with an examiner and one other candidate.
Is there reading or writing in IELTS Life Skills?
No. Life Skills tests speaking and listening only. The only thing you read is a card with three short answers to choose from in the listening task.
How is IELTS Life Skills A1 marked?
There are no band scores. Your result is a pass or a fail.
Can I practise alone?
Yes, although a friend is better because the real test is taken in pairs. Our practice tests read the examiner and partner lines aloud, time each step and mark the listening task, and give example answers for the speaking tasks.
Who needs IELTS Life Skills A1?
It is used to show A1 speaking and listening for a first family visa application, for example as a partner or a parent. Check GOV.UK for your own route, because some people are exempt.

Other levels and UK visa tests

Official sources

The topics, recordings and questions in our practice tests are our own. They are written to match the format of the official sample test and are not real exam questions.