Tier 1 General Extension with spouse

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Hi All,
My Tier 1 Gen visa expiring on 12 July 2012. Please help me as per below.
1: When I can apply for extension, UKBA website says ideally 1 month before, if I want to apply three months before and they issue me the visa from the date of application and not from my visa expiry date, will this time fell short in my ILR.
2: If I apply or or after 12th April 2012, do I and my wife need to take any English test. (I've a UK Masters Degree).
3: How long main applicant can stay outside the UK in 5 years of Tier 1 General. (I heard not more than 6 months and 90 days continuously)
4: How long a spouse can stay outside the UK,(I heard they need to be in UK in the last 2 years before ILR)

[vinny]

1. See also Early extensions.
2. See also Tighter English language test requirement for Tier 1 and 2 applicants in the UK.
3. See also Settlement.
4.

I heard they need to be UK in the last 2 years before ILR

That's incorrect.

(d) The applicant and the Relevant Points Based System Migrant must have been living together in the UK in marriage or civil partnership, or in a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership, for a period of at least 2 years.

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hi
319E doesn't say any thing about the period can stay outside the UK, it only refers that the main applicant and spouse must be in relation for atleast 2 years. Please correct me if I miss read it.
Early Extensions topic is not clear yet, no one has any experience about this.
English language test was compulsory in past as well. but they accepted the UK degree i think its not the case now.