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IELTS Life Skills A1 tips

IELTS Life Skills A1 is a short speaking and listening test for people applying for a UK family visa for the first time. The English you need is simple. What you need most is to answer clearly, ask a few questions and not stay silent.

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

Ready to try it? Free IELTS Life Skills A1 practice tests, with all four phases, timers and example answers.

What to do in each part

  1. Phase 1a

    The examiner asks you questions

    Short questions about you: your name, your country, your family, your home, your work and your free time. This part takes four to five minutes.

    • Answer in a full sentence, not one word. "I live in Leeds with my husband" is better than "Leeds".
    • Add one more piece of information when you can. If the question is "Do you work?", say what your job is or what you do at home.
    • Learn to spell your name aloud, letter by letter. The examiner often asks for this.
    • Speak slowly. Nobody gets extra marks for speed.

    Phrases to learn

    • My name is … . I spell it …
    • I come from …
    • I live in … with my …
    • I work as a … / I look after my children.
    • In my free time I like …
  2. Phase 1b

    You ask your partner questions

    The examiner gives you a topic, such as your partner's home or weekend. You have a minute and a half to think, then you ask your partner questions for up to two minutes. Then your partner asks you.

    • Prepare four or five questions in your thinking time. Use the question words: where, what, when, who, how often.
    • Listen to the answer before you ask the next question. You can say "Oh, nice" or "Me too".
    • If your partner asks you something, answer and then stop. You do not need a long speech.
    • If you cannot think of a question, ask "And you?" after you say something about yourself.

    Phrases to learn

    • Where do you live?
    • What do you do at the weekend?
    • Do you like …?
    • How often do you …?
    • Who do you live with?
  3. Phase 2a

    Listening to two recordings

    You hear two people speaking, one after the other. First you say what each one is about, choosing from three options. Then you hear them again and answer two questions about details, such as a time or a place.

    • Read or listen to the three options carefully before the recording starts.
    • The first time, listen for the general idea only. Do not worry about every word.
    • The second time, listen for numbers, days, times and places. These are what the questions ask about.
    • A short answer is fine: "At nine o'clock" or "On Monday".

    Phrases to learn

    • I think it's about …
    • The first one is …
    • It's at … o'clock.
    • Sorry, can I hear it again?
  4. Phase 2b

    Talking with your partner

    You and your partner talk together for three to four minutes about a topic linked to the recordings, such as shopping or transport. The examiner mostly listens.

    • Take turns. Say something, then ask your partner what they think.
    • Give a reason with "because". "I like the market because it is cheap."
    • If you agree or disagree, say so in a simple way.
    • Keep talking until the examiner stops you. Silence is the main thing to avoid.

    Phrases to learn

    • What about you?
    • I like … because …
    • Me too. / I don't.
    • I think … is better.
    • Do you go there often?

Common mistakes

  • Answering with one word. The examiner needs to hear you speak. Turn "Yes" into "Yes, I do. I go every Saturday."
  • Learning long answers by heart. Memorised speeches sound unnatural and often do not fit the question. Learn short sentences you can change.
  • Not asking any questions. In Phase 1b you must ask. Practise making questions, not only answers.
  • Staying silent when you do not understand. Ask the examiner or your partner to repeat. This is allowed and it is part of real communication.

A one-week study plan

About thirty minutes a day. Speak aloud every day, even when you practise alone.

Day 1
Learn to say and spell your name, your address and your family members. Record yourself.
Day 2
Practise answers about your home, work and free time. One full sentence each, plus one extra detail.
Day 3
Write ten questions with where, what, when, who and how often. Ask them to a friend or family member.
Day 4
Practise numbers, days, months and times. Listen to someone saying a time and write it down.
Day 5
Do a full practice test. Use the listening task to practise catching times and places.
Day 6
Practise talking for three minutes with a partner about shopping, food or transport. Use "because" and "What about you?".
Day 7
Do a second practice test from start to finish, at the real timings.

Questions

How hard is IELTS Life Skills A1?
A1 is the first level of English. You need to understand and use simple, everyday sentences about yourself, your family, your home and familiar activities. You do not need to read or write.
Who needs IELTS Life Skills A1?
It is mainly for people applying for a UK family visa for the first time, such as a partner or spouse visa. Check GOV.UK for your own route, because some people are exempt.
What if my partner speaks much better or worse than me?
It does not change your result. The examiner marks each candidate separately, so you are not compared with your partner. Listen to them, answer them and ask them questions, and you are doing what the test asks.
What should I do if I do not understand a question?
Ask. Saying "Sorry, can you say that again, please?" is normal in a real conversation and is much better than silence or a guess.
How long should I prepare?
It depends on your level now. If you can already hold a simple conversation, a week or two of practising the format is often enough. If you are a beginner, give yourself longer and practise speaking every day.

More Life Skills help

Official sources

Test format checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. The advice on this page is our own.