IELTS A1 test

[anthonyclarkeuk]

My Fiance who is Russian is preparing to take the IELTS A1 test in order to adhere to the spouse visa requirements.

However, she has become very worried as the sample papers i have found are very advanced and she is worried that she will not be successful. Her English is ok, not great but not bad.

Can someone give us some advice on the level that she will need to attain, i understand that it is 3.5-4.0 but i mean, what will she be expected to know.......In depth political discussion on the future of the Euro and global ramifications or just to be able to ask for directions or be able to buy some groceries.

If anyone has some links or samples of what she will be expected to achieve, we would both be very grateful

Many thanks in advance

[Greenie]

Ielts do not have an A1 test. Ielts is designed to test at a higher level than A1 and ukba will not accept scores below 4.0 which is b1. If your fiances English is not of a fairly good standard she should try another test which is designed to test at A1. If you look at the approved list of test providers you will see a number of tests pitched at A1 level.

[ScopeD]

but i mean, what will she be expected to know.......In depth political discussion on the future of the Euro and global ramifications or just to be able to ask for directions or be able to buy some groceries.

Last time I took an IELTS test, it was divided into four parts as follows: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, and you score points against each section. For the Listening part, they play a cd of a conversation between two or more people, and then ask questions to test your understanding of the issues that were being discussed in the conversation.

The Reading section is where they give you some passages to read, like short stories. They will then ask questions to test your understanding of the issues raised in the passages.

The Writing section is where they ask you to write on specific topics. For instance, we were asked to write on what we thought were the benefits and costs to a country if ever it were to host major international tournaments such as the Olympic games.

The Speaking section is whereby you spend time with "an interviewer" who will ask you normal questions, perhaps about your life or on specific topics.

The main aim is to test your English speaking (and understanding) capabilities. Nothing political really, just to check that you know where to put a coma, full stop, can fully comprehend the language and can master complex discussions.

I hope this is helpful. Good luck with your fiance