IELTS General for UKVI is a UK government-approved Secure English language test for visa and immigration to the UK for work and training purposes.

UKIV stands for UK Visas and Immigration. The IELTS General for UKVI is specially designed to evaluate the aspirants’ English language skills and check if the ones applying for a UK visa have the right set of skills to succeed in an English-speaking country. They check English language skills on 4 parameters – Listening, Speaking, Writing, and Reading. You can take this test in a paper-based format or computer-based format. Also, IELTS for the UKVI test is only available at selected test centers that meet UK Home Office’s admission criteria, so check the list of nearby available centers before filling out the application.

How is the test preparation different for IELTS General Training and IELTS for UKVI General Training?

Well, the IELTS for the UKVI General Training exam is very similar to the IELTS General Training in terms of the format, content, assessment, and difficulty level. Therefore, you can prepare for it just like the IELTS General Training. However, the test result forms are slightly different since they have to maintain the test takers’ security and authenticity.

How do I prepare for IELTS for the UKVI General Training exam?

Here are some basic preparation tips for IELTS for the UKVI General Training exam:

1. Know the test format

Reading

The ‘Reading’ segment for General Training IELTS for UKVI contains 3 sections and 40 questions. Each section consists of passages taken from magazines, notices, advertisements, company handbooks, etc., focusing on the issues you might encounter daily in an English-speaking country. You are allotted 60 minutes to read and complete the test.

Writing

The General Training IELTS for UKVI Writing part contains 2 questions from Writing task 1 and Writing task 2. In task 1, you will be asked to write formal, semi-formal, or informal letters in at least 150 words. In task 2, you will be asked to write an essay such as discussion, advantage/disadvantage, opinion, or cause and effect in at least 250 words. This part will check your ability to provide factual information, the way you justify your argument or opinion, or challenge ideas.

Listening

The General Training IELTS for the UKVI Listening part consists of 4 sections and 40 questions. The first two audio recordings deal with issues in an everyday social setting. Whereas the last two audio recordings deal with topics that are related to training and education. This section evaluates your English listening ability.

Speaking

The General Training IELTS for UKVI Speaking consists of 3 sections. The first part focuses on introductory questions about yourself, your family, your job, etc. The second part is a cue card and you’re expected to speak on the same for 2-3 minutes. The third part consists of follow-up questions on topics given in part 2.

2. Improve Vocabulary

The General Training IELTS for UKVI evaluates how good you are at written and spoken English. Thus, it is vital to build a good vocabulary by familiarizing yourself with commonly used British English terms and phrases. It will help you to crack the exam and join a professional organization with ease.

3. Review your grammar

The Speaking and Writing section of IELTS for UKVI examines your grammar too. You should use well-structured and grammatically correct sentences while answering the questions, as poor grammar can lower your scores. It is best to brush up on basic grammar.

4. Practice

The best way to crack IELTS for the UKVI exam is by opting for online coaching and frequent practice using sample papers. Practicing helps to stay prepared and feel less anxious on the actual day of the test. It also helps to understand the format of the test and time management.

Our free IELTS General Training practice tests can help you familiarize yourself with the test’s test content and format.

Free practice tests:

General Training Reading Practice Test

General Training Writing Task 1 Practice Test

Writing Task 2 Practice Test

Speaking Practice Test

Listening Practice Test