The International English Language Test System (IELTS) is a standard assessment for international students to assess their level of proficiency in the English language. IELTS is a widely recognised exam across the world. The exam is accepted as proof of English language fluency in over 11,000 educational institutions in several countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and Germany, among others.
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The IELTS exam contains four sections that determine the language skills of the candidate. Let’s look in detail at the IELTS speaking test.
Table of Contents
- IELTS speaking test: An overview
- IELTS speaking test: Key takeaways
- IELTS speaking test syllabus 2023
- Pro preparation tips for the IELTS speaking test
- Frequently asked questions
IELTS speaking test: An overview
| No. of parts | 3 |
| Total band score | 9 |
| Duration (in minutes) | 11-14 |
| Is the syllabus the same for IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training? | Yes |
IELTS speaking test: Key takeaways
The IELTS speaking test assesses your level of fluency in English through an interview with the examiner. The section consists of three parts and lasts between 11-14 minutes.
The examiner will start with basic, general questions from a script. They would then proceed to give you a topic on which you are required to talk for a minute, and the examiner will ask questions based on your speech.
You will be evaluated on criteria like fluency, grammatical range and accuracy, lexical resource, and pronunciation during the IELTS speaking test.
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IELTS speaking test syllabus 2023
The IELTS exam syllabus for speaking test analyses the candidate’s ability to speak and express their ideas and opinions fluently. While preparing to improve your speaking skills, knowing the questions you willlikely encounter during the exam is essential.
IELTS speaking part 1
The examiner will ask general questions about you, and the session lasts for 4-5 minutes. The questions will likely be about your personal life, academic achievements, family, and others.
IELTS speaking part 2
The examiner will give you a card with a topic. You will be given one minute to prepare for the topic and give a speech for two minutes.
IELTS speaking part 3
The examiner will ask you questions related to your speech on the given topic. You can share further ideas or opinions on the topic during this part. The final conversation lasts for 4-5 minutes.
Here are some downloadable PDFs for sample cue card topics:
- Describe an area of science that interests you
- Describe a successful businessperson you know
- Describe a party that you enjoyed
- Describe a difficult thing that you did and succeeded
- Describe a beautiful city
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IELTS speaking topics & questions
Here are some IELTS speaking test questions and topics.
| IELTS speaking part 1 | IELTS speaking part 2 | IELTS speaking part 3 |
| What’s your name? | Describe a celebrity you know | What quality makes you admire the celebrity? |
| Where are you from? | Describe a memorable experience in your life | What do you think made the experience special compared to others? |
| What do you do? | Describe an advertisement that made you buy the product | What made the advertisement unique from others? |
| What are your hobbies? | Talk about the book you have read recently | What is your opinion about e-books? |
| What are your future plans? | Talk about a positive change in your life | Do you feel change is good? |
Also read: Describe a daily routine that you enjoy
Pro preparation tips for the IELTS speaking test
Here are some tips on how to score high on your IELTS speaking exam.
- Understand the test format. It eases the preparation for the IELTS speaking test.
- Create a study plan. Study schedules streamline your preparation and help you achieve your study goals.
- It is advisable to refrain from memorising any answers. It will confuse you during the assessment.
- Stay confident and don’t shy away during the interview.
- Use a range of grammatical structures and practice maintaining fluency instead of using big and unfamiliar words.
- Practice speaking out loud. It helps you improve your pronunciation and fluency to a great extent.
- Take note of possible follow-up questions and try to prepare yourself to answer them.
- Use simple language and refrain from overthinking. This might affect your flow and disrupt your thought process during the interview.
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Frequently asked questions
How to calculate IELTS speaking score?
Your IELTS speaking test scores are evaluated based on your fluency, grammatical range and accuracy, lexical resource, and pronunciation during the interview. The IELTS speaking test band scores range from 0-9.
What is band score eight on the IELTS speaking test?
A band score of eight on the IELTS speaking test means the candidate has excellent speaking skills. The person’s skills are considered close to a native speaker, with just a few errors. The score says that the candidate has good fluency and coherence, uses a wide range of vocabulary, is often capable of speaking error-free sentences, and is flexible with punctuation.
How can I test my Speaking in IELTS?
Here are some ways to prepare for the IELTS speaking test.
- Practice speaking out loud. It helps you improve your pronunciation and fluency for the interview.
- Use a range of grammatical structures and practice maintaining fluency. Refrain from using unfamiliar words.
- Use simple language and avoid overthinking. This might affect your flow and disrupt your thought process during the interview.
Register now to achieve a Score of 6 or higher with our free IELTS Masterclass!
Is it easy to pass IELTS Speaking?
The IELTS speaking test may be stressful for some candidates as the assessment is structured in the form of an interview. You can easily score well on the test by improving your grammar, pronunciation, and fluency. With regular practice, you can ace the interview in no time.
What are common mistakes in IELTS Speaking?
Some of the common mistakes candidates make during the IELTS speaking test are.
- Attempting to memorise responses.
- Steering away from the topic.
- Repeating words or phrases.
- Answering without confidence.
- Refrain from attempting to elaborate on the answers.
