What is IELTS Speaking Test

The IELTS Speaking test is designed to assess a wide range of skills. The examiner will want to see how well you can communicate opinions and information on everyday topics and common experiences. To do this you will need to answer a range of questions and peak at length on a given topic using appropriate language.

IELTS Speaking  Test Description

Paper format: The IELTS Speaking test consists of an oral interview between the test takers’ and an examiner. All Speaking tests are recorded.

Timing: 11–14 minutes

Task types: There are three parts of the IELTS speaking test. Each part fulfils a specific function in terms of interaction pattern, task input and test takers output.

IELTS Speaking – Test Format

The speaking section assesses your use of spoken English. Every test is recorded.

• Part 1 – The examiner will ask you general questions about yourself. It includes familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between four and five minutes.
• Part 2  – you will be given a card which asks you to talk about a particular topic. You will have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. The examiner will then ask a few questions on the same topic.
• Part 3 – you will be asked further questions about the topic in Part 2. These will give you the opportunity to discuss more abstract ideas and issues. This part of the test lasts between four and five minutes.

Test  in Details

Part 1 – Introduction and interview

Task type and format: In this part, the examiner introduces him/herself and checks the test takers’ identity. They then ask the test takers general questions on some familiar topics. It includes home, family, work, studies and interests. To ensure consistency, questions are taken from a script. Part 1 lasts for 4–5 minutes.

Task focus:

  This part of the test focuses on the ability to communicate opinions on everyday topics.  It also focuses on common experiences or situations by answering a range of questions.

No. of questions: Variable

Part 2 – Long turn

Task type and format: Part 2 is the individual long turn. The examiner gives the test takers a task card which asks the test takers to talk about a particular topic. It includes points to cover in their talk and instructs the test takers to explain one aspect of the topic. Test takers are given one minute to prepare their talk, and are given a pencil and paper to make notes. The examiner asks the test takers to talk for 1 to 2 minutes. Stops the test takers, and asks one or two questions on the same topic.

The task card is a great way to think of appropriate things to say, structure your talk, and keep talking for 2 minutes. Part 2 lasts 3–4 minutes, including the preparation time.

Task focus: This part of the test focuses on the ability to speak at length on a given topic. (without further prompts from the examiner), using appropriate language and organising ideas coherently. It is likely that the test takers will need to draw on their own experience to complete the long turn.

No. of questions: Variable

Part 3 – Discussion

Task type and format: In Part 3, the examiner and the test takers discuss issues related to the topic in Part 2.  The discussion is more general and abstract and, where appropriate, in greater depth. Part 3 lasts 4–5 minutes.

Task focus: This part focuses on the ability to express and justify opinions .

No. of questions: Variable

Making Scheme

Marking and assessment

Speaking performances are assessed by certificated IELTS examiners. All IELTS examiners hold relevant teaching qualifications. They are recruited as examiners by the test centres approved by the British Council or IDP: IELTS Australia

Scores are reported in whole and half bands. Detailed performance descriptors have been developed which describe spoken performance at the nine IELTS bands. These are available on the How IELTS is scored page.

Fluency and coherence

it refers to a range of vocabulary used and the precision with which meanings and attitudes can be expressed. The key indicators are the variety of words used. Their adequacy and appropriacy, as well as their ability to circumlocute between sentences.

Lexical resource

This criterion refers to the range of vocabulary used and the precision with which meanings and attitudes can be expressed. The key indicators are the variety of words used, the adequacy and appropriacy of the words used and the ability to circumlocute (get round a vocabulary gap by using other words) with or without noticeable hesitation.

Pronunciation

This criterion refers to the ability to produce comprehensible speech to fulfil the Speaking test requirements. The key indicators will be the amount of strain caused to the listener.

The amount of the speech which is unintelligible and the noticeability of L1 influence.

Grammatical range and accuracy

This refers to the range and the accurate and appropriate use of the test takers’ grammatical resource. The key indicators of grammatical range are the length and complexity of the spoken sentences.