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IELTS Speaking Test: Format, Scoring & Tips

The IELTS Speaking test is a face-to-face interview with an examiner. It takes 11–14 minutes and has 3 parts.

Academic and General Training candidates take the same Speaking test, and it is scored on four equal criteria.

IELTS Speaking
two women speaking

Here you will find:

IELTS Speaking Test Format

The Speaking test is a conversation between you and one examiner. It is recorded, and it can take place on the same day as the other parts of the test or up to a week before or after.

IELTS Academic & General Training

One Speaking test for both modules

  • 3 parts – an interview, a short talk and a discussion
  • Face to face – with a real examiner, also when you take the rest of the test on a computer
How to practise IELTS Speaking for band 7+ →
Time11–14 minutes in total
4–5 minPart 1 · Interview
3–4 minPart 2 · Talk
4–5 minPart 3 · Discussion

The 3 Parts of the IELTS Speaking Test

  1. 1

    Part 1: Introduction and interview · 4–5 min

    The examiner asks about familiar topics: your home, family, work or studies, hobbies and plans. Short, natural answers of 2–3 sentences work best.

    Part 1 questions and answers →
  2. 2

    Part 2: The long turn · 3–4 min

    You get a cue card with a topic, a pencil and paper. You have 1 minute to prepare and then speak for 1–2 minutes without interruption. A cue card looks like this:

    Describe a time you visited a friend's home for a special reason.

    You should say:

    • when you went
    • who you visited
    • what you did there

    and explain why you visited your friend's home.

    Part 2 cue cards and tips →
  3. 3

    Part 3: Discussion · 4–5 min

    The examiner asks more abstract questions linked to your Part 2 topic. You are expected to give opinions, explain reasons and compare ideas, so longer answers are better here.

    Part 3 questions and answers →

How Is IELTS Speaking Scored?

The examiner gives you a band from 0 to 9 for each of four criteria. Your Speaking score is the average of the four, reported as a whole or half band, for example 6.0 or 6.5.

Four criteria · 25% each
Fluency & Coherence25%Can you keep talking without long pauses and link your ideas clearly?
Lexical Resource25%Do you use a good range of vocabulary, including less common words?
Grammatical Range & Accuracy25%Do you use varied sentence structures with few mistakes?
Pronunciation25%Are you easy to understand? An accent is fine as long as it is clear.

Your accent is not marked down. What counts is that the examiner can understand you without effort.

6 IELTS Speaking Tips

  1. 1

    Speak at a natural pace

    Don't rush and don't speak too slowly. A steady pace lets you articulate your ideas clearly and sounds more confident.

  2. 2

    Work on pronunciation

    Record yourself and listen back. Practising with a tutor or a native speaker helps you notice and fix unclear sounds.

  3. 3

    Show a range of language

    Use varied vocabulary and sentence structures. Try more advanced words, but only ones you are sure how to use.

  4. 4

    Extend your answers

    Don't answer with just yes or no. Add a reason or an example: it makes your answer more natural and shows what you can do.

  5. 5

    Ask if you don't understand

    You can ask the examiner to repeat or explain a question. Doing so is part of real communication and does not lower your score.

  6. 6

    Use your minute in Part 2

    Write key words, not sentences, for each point on the cue card, so you can keep talking for the full 2 minutes.

Key takeaway

The examiner assesses your English, not your opinions. Relax and speak as naturally as you can.

IELTS Speaking FAQ

Quick answers to the questions students ask most.

How long is the IELTS Speaking test?

Between 11 and 14 minutes. Part 1 takes 4–5 minutes, Part 2 takes 3–4 minutes including 1 minute of preparation, and Part 3 takes 4–5 minutes.

Is the IELTS Speaking test the same for Academic and General Training?

Yes. Both modules take the same Speaking test and it is scored in the same way.

Is the IELTS Speaking test done on a computer?

No. The Speaking test is always a face-to-face conversation with a real examiner, also when you take Listening, Reading and Writing on a computer.

Does my accent affect my IELTS Speaking score?

No. You are not marked down for having an accent. The Pronunciation criterion looks at how easy you are to understand.

Can I ask the examiner to repeat a question?

Yes. You can ask the examiner to repeat a question, and this does not lower your score.

Speaking resources

two women speaking
Speaking

IELTS Speaking Test
word yes made from wooden scrabble letters
Speaking

IELTS Speaking Part 1: Topics, Questions & Samples
microphone with blurred background
Speaking

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Topics & Questions
two women speaking in front of laptop
Speaking

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Topics, Follow-up Questions & Samples
practice ielts speaking, conversation between two people
SPEAKING

How to Practice IELTS Speaking for a Band 7+ Score?
dictionary
Useful resources

Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking

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