IELTS test information

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IELTS Speaking Test

The IELTS speaking test is a face-to-face interview with one examiner consisting of 3 parts and lasts 11-14 minutes. The test is recorded, but the examiner assesses your performance during the test and decides on your band score as soon as the test has finished.

You are assessed on 4 different criteria: fluency & coherence; lexical resource; grammatical range & accuracy; pronunciation. You are awarded a band score between 1-9 and you can see how the different criteria is assessed here

Bands can be divided into half scores, so if the examiner decides you are between band 7 and band 8, you will be awarded 7.5.

Part / Time Task Band 8 example
Introduction (4-5 mins) General questions on familiar topics, e.g. home, family, studies, work, interests, future plans, past experiences Zara - Part 1
Long-turn (3-4 mins) Talk about a given topic for 1-2 minutes. Prompts are provided on a task card and 1 minute preparation time is given for you to make notes and think about what you want to say. Zara - Part 2
Discussion (4-5 mins) Discussion type questions related to the topic of Part 2 where you are expected to express your opinion about more abstract issues and ideas. Zara - Part 3
Do a mock test with an iPassIELTS trainer and get expert feedback on your speaking skills or sign up for our IELTS speaking course for more help on how to get a better band score.

My final scores were R9 L8.5 S8 W8.5 (overall 8.5) which I could not have achieved without the guidance of the iPass team. The skype sessions on their speaking course helped me focus specifically on my shortcomings such as speaking at the right pace, proper enunciation and avoiding too much repetition. This helped me raise my band from 7.0 to 8.0.

Pranay, India

Our professional team of IELTS trainers have helped hundreds of IELTS candidates worldwide like Pranay to improve their IELTS speaking score and we're waiting to help you too!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the IELTS Speaking test taken on the same day as the other papers?

Not always. The Listening, Reading and Writing components of the test are always completed immediately after each other. Depending on the test centre, the Speaking test may be taken up to 7 days either before or after the test date.

What do I need to bring into the Speaking examination room?

You must bring the same identification documents that you supplied on your IELTS Application Form and used for the rest of the test. Your ID will be checked before you enter the interview room.

How long is the Speaking test?

The complete Speaking test lasts between 11 - 14 minutes.

Will there be more than one examiner?

No, the Speaking test is a one-to-one interview with a certified IELTS examiner. Watch one of the iPass training videos to see an example of the IELTS speaking test.

How is the Speaking test assessed?

Examiners use detailed performance band descriptors to award a band score for each of the following assessment criteria: Fluency and Coherence (25%); Lexical Resource (25%); Grammatical Range and Accuracy (25%); Pronunciation (25%).

Will the Speaking test be recorded?

Yes, it is recorded on a digital recorder.

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

Yes, there is no difference.

How can I practise my speaking test skills online to get a higher band score in IELTS?

We recommend that you take our IELTS Speaking or the IELTS Speaking Plus course, which include a series of mock interviews with an iPass trainer.

When I was browsing for good customised IELTS speaking sessions online, I came across iPass. I was really impressed by the reviews they had received and joined the Speaking Plus course. Jenny was my trainer and in each session she gave me unbiased feedback and made me feel confident about my speaking attributes. Finally, I was able to score band 7 in speaking. I genuinely recommend iPass to everyone.

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