IELTS Speaking Test: Format, Band Score, and IELTS Speaking Section Details (IDP)

If you are here to get some easy information about the IELTS speaking test, you are in the right place. This simple guide to the IELTS speaking should cover everything you need to know about this part of the test.

Let's start by understanding why there is a speaking test in the IELTS exam in the first place.

The Goal Of The IELTS Speaking Test Format

The speaking section aims to evaluate your ability to share your ideas in speech well. This is important because when you move to an English-speaking country, your survival and chances of success depend on this ability.

A score of 6 or more shows that you should have little trouble adjusting to an English-speaking environment. In this way, the speaking test is there for your own benefit. So, try to get the best possible score for your IELTS speaking knowing that it is not just a ticket to studying abroad, but a necessary skill development effort that would help you succeed there.

The Exact IELTS Speaking Format

The first step should be to understand the format of the IELTS speaking test.

The speaking test is a face-to-face interview with an IELTS examiner. The full IELTS speaking test lasts from 12 to 14 minutes. You will sit across the table from the examiner, who will ask you some questions, give you tasks, and judge your level based on your answers to the questions.

One way in which the speaking test is different from the other three (Reading, Writing, and Listening) is that it can happen anywhere from 7 days before or after the main test day. When you take the IELTS exam, you can choose a date and a time that suits you.

During the speaking test, you will be evaluated through three different sections, known as part 1, part 2, and part 3 of the speaking test. Each part is different in some ways and tests different parts of your spoken English skills.

Following is an overview of the 3 parts.

Speaking Part 1 - Introduction and Questions

Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking Test is the 'Introduction and Interview' section, lasting for about 4 to 5 minutes. This first part is designed to make you feel relaxed and get you talking. The examiner will start by asking you to introduce yourself. You must provide basic personal information such as your name, hobbies, work, studies, and interests. The examiner may also ask some questions about your hometown or country.

The questions in this part are usually simple and familiar, allowing you to speak on everyday topics like your interests, daily routines, likes, and dislikes. It's a chance to show your ability to communicate well in English about familiar topics.

Speaking Part 2 - The Long Turn (The Hardest Part Of The IELTS Speaking Section)

In Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking Test, often called the 'Long Turn', the examiner gives you a task card with a specific topic. This section is designed to assess your ability to speak for a long time on a given topic, using appropriate language and organizing your ideas clearly. You will have 1 minute to prepare after you get the topic, and you will be expected to speak for up to 2 minutes. You need to learn to use the 1 minute preparation time to come up with enough content to speak for the full 2 minutes.

The topics in part 2 will usually ask you to describe something - it could be a person, a place, an experience, an event, or an object. Along with the main topic, the card will also provide some key points or cues, in the form of 3 bullet points (or 4), that you should cover in your talk. These cues are there to help you structure your response and ensure you include a variety of relevant information.

Just to let you know, you will have one minute to prepare, but it's common for examiners to end the speaking session between one to two minutes after you start speaking. Your job is just to keep speaking until the examiner asks you to stop. If you stop early, the examiner may either move on or encourage you to keep speaking.

Speaking Part 3 - Questions On Familiar Topics, but more challenging

Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking Test, called the 'Discussion,' is a more challenging part where you talk with the examiner. This part usually lasts about 4 to 5 minutes and you are asked more questions related to the cue card topic. However, related to more abstract ideas and issues, the questions may need more critical thinking and personal reflection. The examiner may ask some follow-up questions based on your answers.

The types of questions asked in this part require you to discuss issues, share opinions, and provide arguments or ideas. The topics often deal with larger issues, with questions related to topics such as education, environment, culture, or technology. This is a chance to show your ability to discuss complex subjects and use a wider range of vocabulary and grammar.

Doing well in this part of the test is especially important if you want to score band 7 or more. This is because the examiner will ask you more difficult questions, as these questions will allow them to see how far you can go.

Video Demonstration: The Full Format Of The IELTS Speaking Test

A picture is worth a thousand words, they say. The same applies here.

Here is a good video of an actual test by the official IDP channel: [Put video link here]. The video is a true reflection of the full format of the IELTS speaking test.

The Marking Criteria: how the examiners assess your band score

In the IELTS Speaking Test, scoring is done according to the 'Official IELTS Band Descriptors,' which are clear guidelines that examiners must follow. The examiner evaluates your performance based on four important criteria, each contributing equally to your overall score. Understanding these criteria can help you prepare better and know what to focus on during the test.

1. Fluency and Coherence: The ability to speak at a natural pace and connect ideas and language together clearly and without hesitation.
2. Lexical Resource: The range and accuracy of vocabulary used, showing the ability to use varied language well and choosing suitable words and phrases for different situations.
3. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The use of different sentence structures and tenses, along with the correct use of grammar in speaking.
4. Pronunciation: The ability to produce clear speech that is easy to understand, including a range of pronunciation features such as correct intonation and stress patterns.

Each of these criteria is scored on a scale of 0 to 9, and the scores are averaged to give your overall speaking test score.

Preparing for the IELTS Speaking Test involves more than just improving your English; it's also about understanding these criteria. The examiner will give you a score based on these criteria, and you must practice speaking following these guidelines.

Not Satisfied With The Score? The IELTS Revaluation Option

The IELTS Speaking Test offers a reevaluation option for candidates who are not happy with their score. This process ensures fairness and accuracy, as the speaking test is recorded for possible reassessment.

If you feel your score doesn't show your abilities, you can apply for a reevaluation within six weeks of getting your results. There is a fee for this service, which is refunded if your score increases after reassessment. The review is done by senior examiners who were not involved in the original test, providing an unbiased evaluation based on the same assessment criteria.

It's important to think realistically about the chance of a score change. The process can take up to eight weeks, and the result is final. The reevaluation option shows IELTS's commitment to fairness, allowing candidates to make sure their scores accurately represent their English skills.

Up Next: Free IELTS Speaking Tips - Practice Speaking The Right Way

Unsurprisingly, the speaking part is the one that most IELTS students fear the most during their IELTS test preparation.

• It is more spontaneous than the rest of the test, leading to greater nerves.
• A wide range of topics and questions are covered. Discussing many topics seems daunting.
• Being given a task card, and then talking about a topic for 2 minutes without stopping is hard.

The list can go on, but you understand the point. The speaking test has its challenges. Getting a high score is about overcoming these challenges. The next guide will discuss very useful tips to improve how you prepare for your IELTS speaking test.