IELTS Speaking Test: Test Format & Tips

The IELTS test consists of four parts which are- speaking, listening, reading and writing. Your local IELTS test center will contact you to inform you about the date and location of your speaking test. Speaking Skills test takes 11 to 14 minutes approximately. Please note that the speaking test is the same for both the versions of IELTS – IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.

IELTS Speaking test is a face-to-face interview. The Speaking test is essentially designed to assess your use of spoken English.

The Speaking test consists of three parts:

Task 1: The examiner introduces him/herself/themselves and asks you to introduce yourself as well as confirm your identity. You will be expected to answer some general questions about yourself followed by a casual discussion on a range of familiar topics, such as your home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts up to 5 minutes.

Task 2: A card would be handed over to you with a topic mentioned on it and you will be asked to talk about that particular topic. You will be given one minute for preparation before speaking for up to two minutes. The examiner then asks you one or two follow-up questions on the same topic to finish this section of the test.

Task 3: You will be further asked some questions related to the topic in task 2. This part of the test will give you an opportunity to discuss more abstract issues and ideas. This part lasts up to five minutes.

Note that the speaking component is delivered in such a way that does not allow you to rehearse set responses beforehand.

Skills Assessed

• Following are the wide range of speaking skills that are assessed: The ability of speech used to convey opinions and information on everyday topics and common experiences and situations by answering a range of questions
• The ability to speak at length on a given topic using appropriate language and organising and comprehending ideas coherently
• The ability to express and justify opinions and thoughts and to analyse, discuss and speculate about issues.

Marking

You are evaluated on your performance throughout the test by your designated certificated IELTS examiners according to the IELTS Speaking test assessment criteria. Following pointers are kept in mind by the IELTS examiners while marking the candidate’s test performance:

• Fluency
• Coherence
• Lexical Resource
• Grammatical Range
• Accuracy
• Pronunciation

Helpful Tips for IELTS Speaking Test