Anyone know what the pass criteria is for the English test?

Hello,

Anyone know what the pass criteria is for the English test?

My wife went today for her English test, what she has been learning over the past 5 months barely crept up in the test, she was being asked questions that she hasn't revised for. It was almost like it was a new topic, well she was adamant it was.

So interested to know what the pass mark is and how do they determine who passes and who fails?

Thanks in advance.

Are you talking about the Life in the UK test, or an English language test? What's your wife's nationality?

Are you talking about the Life in the UK test, or an English language test? What's your wife's nationality?

She's Pakistani - she went for her English language test in Islamabad today.

Do you know the name of the test she took? Was it IELTS?

Do you know the name of the test she took? Was it IELTS?

Yes it was IELTS Life Skills test.

The requirement for the initial spouse visa is A2 on the Common European Framework, which is equivalent to IELTS Band 4, so she will need a minimum of that on the Listening and Speaking sections of the exam in order to use her results for a spousal visa application.

A2 is quite a low level, really. Has your wife been studying English for the past 5 months, or just preparing for the IELTS? Is she able to have basic conversations about herself, her likes and dislikes? Could she handle the supermarket or the bank in English? That's pretty much the standard.

There aren't any "fixed" questions on IELTS exams, each one is different, so she shouldn't be worried that none of the questions were familiar

The requirement for the initial spouse visa is A2 on the Common European Framework, which is equivalent to IELTS Band 4, so she will need a minimum of that on the Listening and Speaking sections of the exam in order to use her results for a spousal visa application.

A2 is quite a low level, really. Has your wife been studying English for the past 5 months, or just preparing for the IELTS? Is she able to have basic conversations about herself, her likes and dislikes? Could she handle the supermarket or the bank in English? That's pretty much the standard.

There aren't any "fixed" questions on IELTS exams, each one is different, so she shouldn't be worried that none of the questions were familiar

Found some information;

How is IELTS Life Skills assessed?
A certificated IELTS examiner will assess your performance throughout the Speaking and Listening test based on the following criteria:

• obtaining information
• conveying information
• speaking to communicate
• engaging in discussion.

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Read more https://www.ielts.org/what-is-ielts/ielts-for-migration/united-kingdom/ielts-life-skills-faqs][url]https://www.ielts.org/what-is-ielts/ielts-for-migration/united-kingdom/ielts-life-skills-faqs

She's studied English before but then stopped for a while, she can have basic conversations in English about herself, likes and dislikes. I asked like 20 topics worth of questions from her a month before her test and she got everyone correct. Let's hope she has done enough to get that PASS.

She'd probably handle the supermarket, as for the bank not sure on that. 

Would hate it for her to go all through that again.

The bank is just an example. As you cited, the test focuses on the ability to communicate, to obtain and convey information. If she can have basic conversations and handle simple transactions, that'll be sufficient. 5 months' reasonably intensive study is enough for most people to reach A2. I'm an English language teacher and IELTS specialist so I know whereof I speak .

Try not to worry. From what you've said I think she's got a reasonably good chance at a Band 4. IELTS is notoriously unpredictable, but the standard for Band 4 is very achievable.

The bank is just an example. As you cited, the test focuses on the ability to communicate, to obtain and convey information. If she can have basic conversations and handle simple transactions, that'll be sufficient. 5 months' reasonably intensive study is enough for most people to reach A2. I'm an English language teacher and IELTS specialist so I know whereof I speak .

Try not to worry. From what you've said I think she's got a reasonably good chance at a Band 4. IELTS is notoriously unpredictable, but the standard for Band 4 is very achievable.

Fingers crossed and loads of prayers. I think she has done well, but then again i don't trust anyone in Pakistan, corrupt to the core and dodgy people out there. Thanks again - just got to wait till next week when she gets the results.

Forgot to update this thread! The wife passed and has had her TB test all done and certificate in hand, just a few documents to get together and can look at getting the application in hopefully before the end of this month.