The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an internationally recognized test that assesses the English proficiency of non-native English speakers. The speaking test is a crucial part of the IELTS exam, and it aims to evaluate the ability of test takers to communicate in English in real-life situations. The speaking test is conducted by a certified IELTS examiner, and it is designed to evaluate the test taker’s speaking skills in terms of fluency, vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and coherence.

In this blog post, we will discuss how the IELTS speaking test is assessed, including the criteria used to evaluate the test taker’s performance, the scoring system, and the types of questions asked during the test.

Overview of the IELTS Speaking Test

The IELTS speaking test is conducted face-to-face with a certified IELTS examiner. The test consists of three parts, and it takes approximately 11-14 minutes to complete. The three parts of the IELTS speaking test are as follows:

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

The first part of the speaking test is an introduction and interview. The examiner will introduce themselves and ask the test taker some basic questions to get to know them better. These questions are designed to put the test taker at ease and to assess their ability to communicate in English in a relaxed and informal setting. Some of the common questions asked during this part of the test include:

• What is your name?
• Where are you from?
• What do you do for a living?
• What are your hobbies?
• Do you prefer to live in the city or the countryside?

Part 2: Cue Card

The second part of the speaking test is the cue card. The examiner will give the test taker a cue card that contains a topic to talk about. The test taker will have one minute to prepare their answer and two minutes to speak about the topic. The topics on the cue card are usually related to everyday life and are designed to test the test taker’s ability to communicate effectively in English. Some examples of cue card topics include:

• Describe a place you have visited that you found interesting.
• Talk about a memorable event in your life.
• Discuss a book or movie that has had a significant impact on you.

Part 3: Discussion

The final part of the speaking test is a discussion. The examiner will ask the test taker follow-up questions based on the topic discussed in part 2. This part of the test is designed to test the test taker’s ability to communicate more complex ideas and to express their opinions on various topics. The questions in this part of the test are not predetermined, and the examiner will tailor them to the test taker’s response in part 2. Some of the topics that may be discussed in part 3 include:

• Education
• Technology
• Politics
• Environment

Criteria for Assessing IELTS Speaking Test

To assess the performance of test takers in the IELTS speaking test, certified examiners use four main criteria: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation. Let’s take a closer look at each of these criteria:

Fluency and Coherence

This criterion assesses the test taker’s ability to communicate fluently and coherently in English. Fluency refers to the ability to speak naturally and without hesitation, while coherence refers to the ability to express ideas clearly and logically. To assess this criterion, the examiner looks at the following:

• How quickly the test taker speaks
• Whether the test taker pauses frequently or hesitates while speaking
• Whether the test taker can connect ideas and express them in a logical and coherent manner

Lexical Resource

This criterion assesses the test taker’s ability to use a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately. To assess this criterion, the examiner looks at the following:

• Whether the test taker uses a variety of words and phrases to convey meaning
• Whether the test taker uses words accurately and appropriately
• Whether the test taker can use less common vocabulary to convey precise meaning

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

This criterion assesses the test taker’s ability to use a wide range of grammatical structures accurately and appropriately. To assess this criterion, the examiner looks at the following:

• Whether the test taker can use a variety of grammatical structures to convey meaning
• Whether the test taker uses grammar accurately and appropriately
• Whether the test taker can use complex grammatical structures to convey precise meaning

Pronunciation

This criterion assesses the test taker’s ability to pronounce words and phrases accurately and intelligibly. To assess this criterion, the examiner looks at the following:

• Whether the test taker can pronounce words and phrases accurately and clearly
• Whether the test taker can use stress and intonation to convey meaning
• Whether the test taker has a clear and understandable accent

Scoring System for the IELTS Speaking Test

The IELTS speaking test is scored on a scale of 0-9, with 9 being the highest score. Each of the four criteria is given equal weight, and the scores for each criterion are added together to give the overall speaking band score.

The following table shows the different band scores and their corresponding level of English proficiency:

Tips for Preparing for the IELTS Speaking Test

Preparing for the IELTS speaking test can be a challenging task, but with the right strategies, you can improve your performance and achieve your desired band score. Here are some tips to help you prepare for the IELTS speaking test:

Practice Speaking English Every Day

To improve your speaking skills, it is important to practice speaking English every day. This will help you become more comfortable speaking in English and improve your fluency and pronunciation.

Record Yourself Speaking

Recording yourself speaking is a great way to identify areas where you need to improve. You can listen to your recordings and identify mistakes in your grammar or pronunciation and work on improving these areas.

Use a Variety of Vocabulary and Grammar Structures

To score well in the IELTS speaking test, you need to demonstrate a wide range of vocabulary and grammar structures. You should practice using less common words and phrases and complex grammatical structures to show that you have a good command of the English language.

Listen to English Audio and Watch English Videos

Listening to English audio and watching English videos can help you improve your listening and speaking skills. You can watch English news, movies, TV shows, and documentaries to learn new words and phrases and improve your pronunciation.

Take Practice Tests

Taking practice tests can help you become more familiar with the format and structure of the IELTS speaking test. You can take online practice tests or work with a tutor to simulate the test environment and get feedback on your performance.