IELTS Life Skills B1 tips

What to do in each part

1. Phase 1a

   Questions with your partner

   The examiner asks your name, where you come from and how long you have lived here. Then you and the other candidate ask each other questions about an everyday topic for two minutes. The whole part takes about three minutes.

   • Treat the two minutes as a conversation, not an interview. Ask a question, respond to the answer, then add something about yourself.
   • Use follow-up questions: "Why did you choose that?" or "How long have you done that?"
   • Show interest with short reactions such as "Really?" and "That sounds interesting."

   Phrases to learn

   • How long have you …?
   • What made you decide to …?
   • That's interesting. I've never …
   • It's the same for me.
   • What about you?
2. Phase 1b

   Talking for a minute and a half

   Each of you gets a topic and one minute to prepare. You talk for about a minute and a half, and your partner then asks you three questions. Then you swap. This part takes about seven minutes.

   • Note four points in your preparation minute and say three or four sentences about each. That fills the time.
   • Tell it as a story with a beginning, a middle and an end. Use past tenses and time words such as first, then, after that and in the end.
   • Say how you felt and why. Feelings and reasons are what B1 asks for.
   • While your partner speaks, think of three questions. Ask about reasons, feelings and what happened next.

   Phrases to learn

   • I'd like to tell you about …
   • It happened about … ago.
   • At first … but later …
   • What I remember most is …
   • How did you feel when …?
3. Phase 2a

   Listening to two messages

   You hear two short recordings. You say what each one is about, choosing from three options. You hear them again and answer two questions each about the details. This part takes about five minutes.

   • Messages often give an old detail and a new one: the class was on Tuesday and is now on Thursday. The question asks for the new one.
   • Listen for the reason as well as the fact. "Why" questions are common at B1.
   • Keep your answer short and exact. You are marked on understanding here, not on a long reply.

   Phrases to learn

   • The first message is about …
   • It has been changed to …
   • The reason is that …
   • They need to bring …
4. Phase 2b

   Planning together, then discussing

   You and your partner plan something together for two minutes, such as a trip or a party, choosing from the ideas you are given. Then you discuss a related topic for about four minutes. This part takes about seven minutes.

   • Talk about each option before you choose. Say what is good and bad about it.
   • Ask your partner's opinion and build on it. Agreeing too fast ends the task early.
   • Finish the planning by stating the decision: "So, we've decided to …".
   • In the discussion, give your view with a reason and an example from your own life.

   Phrases to learn

   • Shall we start with …?
   • The problem with that is …
   • That's a good point, but …
   • I'd prefer … because …
   • So, we've decided to …

Common mistakes

• Finishing the long turn in forty seconds. A minute and a half is longer than it feels. Prepare four points and practise with a timer.
• Only answering and never asking. In three of the four phases you have to ask your partner something. Practise questions as much as answers.
• Choosing the first idea in the planning task. Compare the options first, then decide together and say the decision aloud.
• Giving the old detail in the listening task. When you hear two times, days or places, wait for the final one.
• Talking over your partner. Taking turns and responding to what they say is part of what the test looks for.

A one-week study plan

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

Day 1

Practise two-minute conversations on everyday topics with a friend. Ask follow-up questions and react to the answers.

Day 2

Choose three long-turn topics (a journey, a celebration, a person). Prepare one minute, talk for a minute and a half, and time it.

Day 3

Record a long turn and listen back. Add reasons and feelings where you only gave facts.

Day 4

Listening day. Practise messages where a detail changes, and answer "why" questions.

Day 5

Do a full practice test at the real timings.

Day 6

Practise the planning task with a partner: compare three options, agree and state the decision. Then discuss the topic for four minutes.

Day 7

Do a second full practice test. Concentrate on asking questions in every phase.

Questions

How hard is IELTS Life Skills B1?

B1 is an intermediate level. You need to understand the main points of clear speech on familiar subjects, describe experiences and give reasons for your opinions. There is no reading or writing.

Is Life Skills B1 enough for a Skilled Worker visa?

No. Life Skills tests only speaking and listening. The Skilled Worker visa needs all four skills, which means IELTS for UKVI. Life Skills B1 is for settlement and citizenship.

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.

Can I prepare without a partner?

Yes, although a partner is better because the real test is taken in pairs. Our practice tests read the examiner and partner lines aloud and give example answers, so you can practise every phase alone.

Official sources

• IELTS: Life Skills B1 Speaking and Listening sample test A
• IELTS: Life Skills test format in detail
• IDP IELTS: Prepare for IELTS Life Skills B1
• GOV.UK: Prove your English with a secure English language test (SELT)

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