Difference Between IELTS and IELTS UKVI Exams

Difference Between IELTS and IELTS UKVI Exams: The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is globally recognized English proficiency exams. It assesses the English language proficiency of non-native speakers for employment, higher education, and immigration. However, many candidates often get confused between the two main versions of the IELTS exam: the standard IELTS exam and IELTS UKVI.

Both IELTS exam and IELTS UKVI are used to evaluate the English language proficiency of candidates in four different skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. However, a few major differences are there in terms of purpose and recognition. Understanding these differences is crucial for candidates to decide which exam is right for them. Here, we will discuss the major difference between IELTS and IELTS UKVI exams including their formats, content, and purposes. 

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Difference Between IELTS and IELTS UKVI Exams

Here are the major differences between IELTS UKVI and IELTS exam:

Content and Format

Both IELTS UKVI and IELTS exam assess the four language skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking for both Academic or General Training modules. The content, IELTS test format , and difficulty level of the IELTS and IELTS UKVI exams are typically same. Both IELTS and IELTS UKVI follow this same structure. The difficulty level is identical. 

• IELTS Listening: Candidates listen to a series of recordings and answer questions based on the audio.

• IELTS Reading: Includes a variety of texts to assess reading comprehension.

• IELTS Writing: Candidates are asked to produce written responses based on given tasks.

• IELTS Speaking: This section involves a face-to-face interview with an examiner.

Purpose and Recognition

The IELTS and IELTS UKVI differs mainly is their purpose and recognition. 

• IELTS Exam: The IELTS exam is accepted by thousands of institutions, universities, employers, and immigration authorities. It is used for study, work, and migration purposes in English-speaking countries, like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States, excluding the UK.

• IELTS UKVI: The IELTS UKVI is accepted by the UK Home Office for visa and immigration for migration to the United Kingdom. The IELTS UKVI exam is conducted in the UKVI-approved test centers. The test results are issued with a special certificate. It is also known as the SELT (Secure English Language Test) approved for visa and immigration purposes in the UK.

Scoring and Results

Both IELTS and IELTS UKVI exams use the same scoring system. A 0-9 IELTS band scale is used to score candidates based on their language skills. The scoring and calculation systems are similar between the two versions. However, a few differences are there between the two. The IELTS UKVI certificate specifies that it was administered by UK Home Office requirements, making it a valid test for visa purposes.

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Exam Locations and Availability

The IELTS and IELTS UKVI are available in both paper-based and computer-based formats. The availability of the IELTS test dates and locations are available across 78 test locations in India, however, the IELTS test dates and venues can vary by country and test center. 

IELTS UKVI exams are only available at approved test centers that meet the UK Home Office's strict requirements. These centers are specifically authorized to conduct tests for visa and immigration purposes.

Exam Fees

The exam fees for the IELTS and IELTS UKVI are slightly different due to the additional requirements for the UKVI-approved test centers. The IELTS fee in India is INR 18,000, whereas IELTS UKVI test fees is INR 18,250. 

IELTS Academic vs. IELTS General Training

Both IELTS and IELTS UKVI are available in two versions: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. The key difference between these two versions are as follows:

• IELTS Academic: This version is designed for candidates who are planning to pursue higher education in an English-speaking country or for professional registration purposes.

• IELTS General Training Test: This version is designed for individuals who are planning to continue secondary education, enroll in vocational training, or gain work experience in an English-speaking country. It is also suitable for those applying for immigration to an English-speaking country.

Both IELTS and IELTS UKVI offer both Academic and General Training options, allowing candidates to select the version that best matches their specific needs.

The primary difference between the IELTS and IELTS UKVI exams is IELTS UKVI is specifically approved by the UK Home Office for visa and immigration purposes. While both versions of the test are identical in terms of content, difficulty level, scoring, and format, the IELTS UKVI is necessary for those applying for a UK visa, whether for work, study, or immigration.

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