The IELTS Speaking test is a face-to-face or a video call interview with a certified examiner, lasting between 11 to 14 minutes. It evaluates your ability to communicate in English through a natural conversation. Let’s dive deep into what happens in each part, what skills are assessed, and how you can impress your examiner confidently!
🧩 Test Format Overview
| Section | Time | Task Type | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | 4–5 minutes | Introduction & Interview | Personal questions to ease into the test |
| Part 2 | 3–4 minutes | Long Turn – Cue Card (1-minute prep + 2-min talk) | Extended speech on a given topic |
| Part 3 | 4–5 minutes | Discussion – Abstract Questions | Deeper discussion related to Part 2 topic |
🔍 Part 1: Introduction & Interview
👤 What to Expect:
- The examiner greets you and checks your identity.
- You’ll be asked general questions about familiar topics like:
- Your hometown
- Your work or studies
- Your hobbies, daily routine, or family
🎯 Purpose:
This part tests your ability to:
- Speak naturally about everyday topics
- Use basic grammar and vocabulary confidently
✅ Pro Tip:
Don’t give one-word answers. Always extend a bit:
Q: Do you work or study?
A: I work as a teacher at a local school. I’ve been doing this for three years and I really enjoy it!
🗣️ Part 2: The Long Turn (Cue Card)
📋 What to Expect:
- You’ll get a task card with a topic and bullet points.
- You have 1 minute to prepare and 2 minutes to speak.
- The examiner will not interrupt during your talk.
🧾 Example Cue Card:
Describe a place you like to visit.
You should say:
– where it is
– what you do there
– who you go with
and explain why you like it.
🎯 Purpose:
This part checks your ability to:
- Organize thoughts quickly
- Speak fluently without long pauses
- Use a range of vocabulary and grammar
✅ Pro Tip:
Use the 1-minute prep time wisely! Write down keywords, not full sentences.
Add personal stories to sound more natural and go beyond the bullet points.
🤝 Part 3: Discussion
💬 What to Expect:
- The examiner will ask more abstract and opinion-based questions related to the topic in Part 2.
- You’ll discuss ideas like causes, effects, comparisons, and future predictions.
🧠 Sample Questions:
- Why do people enjoy traveling?
- How has tourism changed in recent years?
- Do you think people will travel more in the future?
🎯 Purpose:
This part assesses:
- Your ability to develop complex ideas
- Use of cohesive devices and advanced structures
- Skills like reasoning, justifying, and comparing
✅ Pro Tip:
Use linking phrases like “I believe…”, “In contrast…”, or “One reason could be…” to structure your thoughts clearly.
📊 Scoring Criteria
| Criterion | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | Speak smoothly without unnatural pauses; ideas should flow logically |
| Lexical Resource | Use a variety of vocabulary naturally and accurately |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | Use both simple and complex structures with fewer errors |
| Pronunciation | Be clear, use correct stress and intonation, and sound natural |
Each of these is scored from 0 to 9, and your final band score is the average of the four.
🧠 Quick Memory Tools
🔁 F-L-G-P = Fluency, Lexis, Grammar, Pronunciation – Know what’s being tested!
🗂️ 3-1-3 Rule – 3 parts of the test, 1 minute prep in Part 2, 3 scoring minutes in Part 2.
💭 SEE Method – State, Explain, Example – great for expanding your answers!
🚀 Final Speaking Tips to Boost Your Band
✅ Be natural, not perfect
✅ Pause and breathe, but don’t freeze
✅ Use varied sentence types (questions, comparisons, conditions)
✅ Be expressive — let your tone and rhythm flow
✅ Practice with a partner or tutor, or even talk to yourself in English!
🏆 Remember:
The IELTS Speaking test is your time to shine through your speech — not to be perfect, but to show that you can communicate effectively, clearly, and confidently.