What is IELTS UKVI? All the information you need to know about the IELTS UKVI exam.

"IELTS UKVI exam? How is it different from the regular IELTS exam?" These are the questions that many candidates are interested in when researching about this exam. So let's dig deeper into the IELTS UKVI exam: its format, scoring system, fees, and more in the following article with PREP.
 

I. What is IELTS UKVI?

IELTS UKVI (IELTS for the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration) is a language proficiency test used for UK visa purposes. The IELTS UKVI certificate is used to demonstrate your language ability to the UK Visas and Immigration for immigration or study purposes.

Currently in Vietnam, IELTS VN101 and VN104 are two approved test centers for the IELTS UKVI exam.

With a regular IELTS certificate, it is recognized in English-speaking countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, but it cannot be used for applying for a UK student visa. With an IELTS UKVI certificate, you can use it for both UK visa applications and applications to other countries. Therefore, having an IELTS UKVI certificate provides you with more opportunities.

In terms of format, IELTS UKVI has two main forms: General Training and Academic, similar to regular IELTS:

• IELTS UKVI Academic: primarily for candidates who want to study at the undergraduate or postgraduate level or for employment purposes.
• IELTS UKVI General Training: for candidates who want to immigrate or for sub-degree level studies such as vocational or diploma courses. 

II.  Fees and Exam Format for IELTS UKVI 

Regarding the fees and exam format for IELTS UKVI, here are the specific details:

1. Fees and Exam Format

The IELTS UKVI exam fee is higher than the regular IELTS fee. Please take a look at the following table: 

2. Some notes on the cancellation and refund policy for IELTS UKVI exam

Here are some important points regarding the cancellation and refund policy for the IELTS UKVI exam that you should be familiar with.

Cancellation policy:

• Candidates can cancel their IELTS UKVI registration at any time before the exam date. The exam fee will be refunded according to the regulations of the test center and depending on the timing of the cancellation, as follows:
  • If you cancel the exam more than 14 days in advance, you will receive a 75% refund of the fee.
  • If you cancel the exam between 2 to 12 days in advance, you will receive a 50% refund of the fee.
  • If you cancel the exam within 2 days before the test, you will receive a 25% refund of the fee.
  • If you cancel the exam on the test day or after the test, you will not be eligible for a refund. 
• However, there are provisions for exceptional circumstances related to health issues that prevent you from taking the exam. If your case is approved, you will be refunded 25% of the fee.
• For the test center, in situations or unforeseen circumstances beyond their control, they may cancel the exam and notify the candidates. In such cases, candidates will be refunded the fee or transferred to the nearest available test date.

Rescheduling Policy: You can request to reschedule your exam according to the following specific regulations:

• You can change the exam date at any time within more than 14 days before the test date. However, you must choose a new test date within 3 months from the original test date and pay an additional 25% rescheduling fee.
• Within 14 days before the test date, any requests for rescheduling will be considered as cancellations.

Please consider and choose a suitable exam schedule to avoid any undesired situations.

III. Grading Scale and Scoring Criteria for IELTS UKVI 

In terms of the grading scale, the IELTS UKVI exam follows a similar scale to the regular IELTS exam, which is scored on a scale from 1.0 to 9.0. The scoring criteria for IELTS UKVI are as follows:

The scoring criteria for IELTS UKVI are also similar to those of the regular IELTS exam. You can find detailed information about the scoring criteria for this exam in the following article: "IELTS Scoring Scale & How to Calculate Overall IELTS Score - What You Need to Know."

IV. Differences between IELTS UKVI and Regular IELTS

IELTS UKVI is known as a mandatory requirement for students planning to study in the United Kingdom. In essence, IELTS UKVI and regular IELTS are conducted in the same way, with the same content, level of difficulty, grading scale, and scoring criteria. However, there are some specific differences, as outlined below:

V. How to Register IELTS UKVI Exam

IELTS UKVI exams are completely online registered. Here are the registration steps for both BC and IDP that you should be familiar with:

1. Registration at IDP

To register for the exam at IDP, follow these basic steps:

• First, access:  https://ielts.idp.com/book/UKVI?countryId=227.
• Next, create your personal account.
• Then, check and select the appropriate IELTS UKVI test date for you.
• After that, fill in your personal information as instructed and make the exam fee payment through bank transfer.
• Once you have successfully registered and paid the fee, you will receive a confirmation email within 3 days.
• Next, remember the schedule and prepare well for the exam!

2. Registration at BC

To register for the exam at BC, follow these steps:

• First, access: https://ieltsregistration.britishcouncil.org/ukvi and select the desired test format (Academic or General Training).
• Next, choose the test location and select the test format you prefer (paper-based or computer-based for the IELTS UKVI Academic test).
• Then, choose your preferred test date and proceed to fill in your personal information and make the payment.
• After successfully registering, you will also receive a specific notification email. Keep track of the exam schedule and prepare well for the exam!

VI. Notes for the IELTS UKVI Exam

Here is some important information to note when taking the IELTS UKVI exam:

• Regarding the IELTS UKVI exam schedule: The exam is scheduled separately and does not coincide with the regular IELTS exam schedule. Therefore, you should accurately follow the exam schedule on the official websites of BC and IDP to choose the most suitable test time.
• Regarding the format: Note that the Academic module can be taken on paper or computer, while the IELTS UKVI General Training module is only available on a computer.
• Visa requirements: Before registering for the IELTS UKVI exam, carefully check with the UK Immigration and Visa Office regarding the exam and the required level of certification to submit. Specifically, you can refer to some common visa requirements.

This article has provided complete detailed information about the IELTS UKVI certificate that you can refer to. PREP hopes that you will achieve the best results in your exam!