The IELTS Speaking test is an 11-14 minute face-to-face conversation with a trained examiner, divided into three parts. It is the same test for Academic and General Training. The conversation is recorded so a second examiner can verify the score if needed. Unlike the other modules, you cannot prepare specific answers in advance, the examiner is trained to spot rehearsed responses.
Speaking at a glance
Speaking can be taken on the same day as your other modules or scheduled separately within seven days. We strongly recommend taking it on the same day if possible, the longer the gap, the more time anxiety has to build up.
The three parts in detail
Part 1, Introduction and interview (4-5 minutes)
The examiner introduces themselves, asks for your ID, and then asks short questions on two or three familiar topics. Topics include where you live, your work or studies, hobbies, food, and family. Each question expects a 2-3 sentence answer. Candidates who answer in single words score lower on fluency. Candidates who give 30-second monologues score lower on appropriate response length.
Part 2, Cue card (3-4 minutes)
The examiner gives you a card with a topic and 3-4 bullet points to cover. You have one minute to plan and make notes, then must speak for 1-2 minutes on the topic. The examiner stays silent during this time. Hundreds of speaking cue card topics with model answers are available to practise from.
Part 3, Discussion (4-5 minutes)
The examiner asks abstract questions related to the Part 2 topic. If your cue card was about a favourite childhood toy, Part 3 might ask about how toys influence children's development or how toys have changed over generations. This is where high-band candidates separate themselves from middle-band candidates.
What examiners are grading
Like Writing, Speaking is marked against four criteria, each worth 25% of your band:
Fluency & Coherence
Can you speak at length without too many pauses, hesitations or repetitions?
25% of bandLexical Resource
How wide and accurate is your vocabulary when speaking?
25% of bandGrammatical Range & Accuracy
Do you use a variety of grammatical structures correctly?
25% of bandPronunciation
Are individual sounds, stress patterns and intonation clear to the listener?
25% of bandCrucially, you are not marked on accent. A strong Indian, Vietnamese or Russian accent does not lower your band score, only unclear pronunciation does. Our full guide to Speaking band scores explains each criterion in depth.
Examiners listen for evidence across the whole 11-14 minutes, not isolated impressive sentences. One brilliant Part 2 response will not lift your band if Part 1 and Part 3 are inconsistent. Aim for consistent performance across all three parts.
The mistakes we see most often
Speaking is the module where preparation strategy can either lift you or sink you. These are the mistakes that consistently lower bands.
Memorising scripted answers
Examiners are trained to spot memorised responses and will deduct marks. Worse, memorised answers sound unnatural and rarely match the question exactly. Memorise vocabulary, phrases and ideas, never full answers.
Giving one-word answers in Part 1
If asked "Do you enjoy cooking?", answering "Yes" is a fluency failure. The expected response is 2-3 sentences: "Yes, I enjoy it quite a lot, especially trying new recipes at the weekends. My speciality is South Indian food, which I learned from my mother."
Speaking too fast to seem fluent
Rapid speech is not the same as fluent speech. Speaking faster than you can think causes more grammar mistakes, less precise vocabulary, and unclear pronunciation. A measured pace at band 7 beats a rushed pace at band 5.
Avoiding complex grammar in Part 3
Part 3 questions invite complex grammatical structures, conditionals, comparisons, passive voice, modal verbs of speculation. Candidates who only use simple present tense throughout cap their Grammar score at band 6.
Candidates often plan elaborate stories for the cue card that they cannot finish in 2 minutes. The examiner will cut you off mid-sentence and move on, which disrupts your fluency score. Plan a simpler response you can complete cleanly.
Band 6 vs Band 7, what changes
The jump from band 6 to band 7 in Speaking is the most common plateau. The difference is rarely about more vocabulary, it is about how the four criteria come together.
Communicates clearly but with hesitation. Vocabulary covers most topics adequately. Some complex sentences attempted but with errors. Pronunciation has some features that distract the listener.
Speaks at length without noticeable effort. Uses a range of vocabulary flexibly. Uses a variety of complex structures with reasonable accuracy. Pronunciation has some L1 features but does not distract.
Choose your preparation path
What to expect on test day
Check-in & ID
Show passport, get your candidate number
Wait in queue
Speaking tests run consecutively in slots
Enter examiner room
Brief greeting, recording starts, Part 1 begins
All three parts
11-14 min total, examiner controls timing
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Speaking on a different day to the other modules?
Yes. Speaking can be scheduled up to seven days before or after the other three modules. Most test centres now offer Speaking on the same day as the main test, which we recommend if available. The longer the gap, the more anxiety can accumulate.
Does my accent affect my Speaking score?
No. Examiners are trained to assess pronunciation features that affect clarity, individual sounds, word stress, sentence stress and intonation. A strong Indian, Vietnamese, Russian or any other accent does not lower your band score. What matters is whether the examiner can understand you easily.
What happens if I cannot understand a question?
You can ask the examiner to repeat or rephrase the question. This does not lower your score. What does lower your score is staying silent or guessing what the question meant. In Part 3 you can also ask for clarification on what a word means.
Should I correct myself if I make a mistake?
Briefly, yes. Quickly correcting "He don't, sorry, he doesn't" is fine and shows grammatical awareness. But constantly stopping mid-sentence to correct every small error hurts your fluency score. Pick your moments.
Can the examiner cut me off in Part 2?
Yes. The examiner will stop you after 2 minutes regardless of where you are in your response. This is normal and not a sign you have done badly. Plan a response you can complete in roughly 1 minute 45 seconds to avoid being cut off mid-point.