Overview
In the IELTS speaking exam you will speak for 11-14 Minutes with an examiner. The exam has three parts.
Part 1 (4-5 Mins) – Questions about Familiar Topics
Part 2 (3-4 Mins) – A Talk About a Given Topic
Part 3 (4-5 Mins) – Discussion Questions on Topic from Part 2
The Parts Of The Exam
The IELTS speaking test is designed to accurately test all the important parts of speaking English. It lasts between 11 and 14 minutes depending on the length of your answers. You have the opportunity to talk about common topics which require casual conversation, give a short talk to show your speaking presentation skills, and finally answer more detailed questions to show your organisation of ideas. Throughout the exam, the examiner will mark your fluency, vocabulary, grammar use and pronunciation.
Part 1 (4-5 Mins)
Answer Questions on Familiar Topics E.g Hobbies, Likes and Dislikes, Daily Routines, Study, Work, Family.
This part tests your ability to speak confidently and fluently with topics natives speakers use frequently.
Part 2 (3-4 Mins)
Talk about a given topic for 1-2 mins and possibly answer one or two follow up questions.
This part tests your ability to tell a story and maintain control when speaking for a longer time. Your speech should be more controlled than part but should still show a little enjoyment and passion when speaking
Part 3 (4-5 Mins)
Answer more detailed discussion questions related to the topic in part 2.
This part tests you ability to speak in a more controlled and detailed way. You should use appropriate language and tone for a discussion on more serious or formal issues.
Marking Criteria
The examiners will listen carefully and decide your speaking band level based on the following marking criteria.
| Fluency and Coherence This marks your ability to speak fluently with appropriate linking of ideas. | Lexical Resource This marks your ability to use a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately to express yourself, even when you don’t know a specific word. |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy This marks your ability to use a good range of grammar accurately and appropriately. | Pronunciation This marks your ability to use appropriate word and sentence pronunciation, including stress and intonation. |
Example Speaking Test
| Part 1 (4-5 Mins) Transport Where You Live – How do most people travel to work where you live? – What traffic problems have you seen? – How do these traffic problems affect you? – What would you do to improve traffic issues? |
| Part 2 – A Short Talk (3-4 Mins) Talk about an indoor game you enjoy playing. You should say: What kind of game is it Who you play it with When you play it And explain why you enjoy playing it. |
| Part 3 – Discussion Questions (4-5 Mins) How are the games you play now different to those you played as a child? How does our enjoyment of these games change as we get older? Do you think these types of games will be popular in the future? |
Remember!
The IELTS speaking test is designed to test your natural speaking ability so remember to speak as naturally and fluently as possible. The examiners always know if you are just repeating sentences.
