How is the IELTS Speaking Test assessed?

The IELTS Speaking Test assesses your ability to speak English clearly and effectively. The test is like a conversation but with a certified examiner and lasts about 11–14 minutes. Knowing how the test is scored can help you prepare and perform better. Here’s a simple guide to how it works.

The Speaking Test format

The test has three parts:

Part 1: Introduction (4–5 minutes)
The examiner asks you questions about yourself, such as your hobbies, work, or studies.

Part 2: Long Turn (3–4 minutes)
You get a topic card with a question. You have one minute to think and make notes, and then talk about the topic for 1-2 minutes.

Part 3: Discussion (4–5 minutes)
The examiner asks you more general, abstract questions on topics broadly related to the topic in Part 2.

For more information click on the button to watch our webinar lesson: Introduction to the Speaking Test

Assessment criteria

Your performance in the Speaking Test is evaluated according to four main criteria, each contributing 25% to your total score. Let’s look at them in detail:

1 Fluency and Coherence

Here the examiner looks at how well and logically you can communicate your ideas.

Fluency: refers to your ability to speak at a natural pace without too many pauses or hesitations. While pausing or hesitating occasionally is normal, frequent stops to think about vocabulary or grammar can affect your score.

Coherence: refers to how well you link and organise your ideas. Using words and phrases like however, therefore, on the other hand, moreover, etc. can improve coherence.

Tips to improve:

• Practise speaking on a variety of topics to develop confidence.

• Use a mix of linking words and phrases to structure your ideas logically.

• Avoid overthinking: focus on expressing your ideas naturally.

Get further practice with our Speaking lesson focusing on Fluency and Coherence.

2 Lexical Resource

Here the examiner looks at the range and accuracy of your vocabulary.

Using a wide range of vocabulary relevant to the topic is important.

Using idiomatic expressions, collocations, and less common words can also boost your score.

Avoid using basic words: instead, use more descriptive words or phrases. For example, instead of using the ‘nice’ use ‘pleasant’, ‘wonderful, ‘stunning, etc.

Tips to improve:

• Build your vocabulary by reading articles and listening to podcasts on a variety of topics.

• Practise using new words when you speak to ensure you know how to use them.

• Avoid overusing complex words or expressions if you are unsure of their meaning or how to use them appropriately.

Get further practice with our Speaking lesson focusing on Lexical Resource.

Download our IELTS Speaking Vocabular Packs for Band 7+.

3 Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Here the examiner looks at the variety and accuracy of your grammatical structures.

Range: the examiner looks for a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. For example, using conditional sentences (If I had the chance, I would…) or relative clauses (The place where I grew up…) shows range.

Accuracy: refers to correct usage of tenses, subject-verb agreement, and word order.

Tips to improve:

• Practise forming sentences with different grammatical structures.

• Focus on your common errors, such as subject-verb agreement and prepositions.

• Get feedback from a teacher or a friend to identify areas you need to work on.

4 Pronunciation

Your ability to produce clear and understandable speech is important.

The examiner listens for individual sounds, word stress, sentence stress, and intonation.

Your accent is not assessed but you should speak clearly and be understood easily.

Tips to improve:

• Listen to native speakers and imitate their pronunciation of words and sentences.

• Practise tongue twisters and read aloud to improve clarity and improve pronunciation.

• Record yourself speaking, listen back and identify areas for improvement.

What examiners look for

The examiner wants to see that you:

• speak naturally, not like you’ve memorised answers.

• respond appropriately to different types of questions, even if the topics are unfamiliar.

• can keep going, showing a willingness to give your opinion and extend your responses.

Common myths about the Speaking Test

You should speak with a British or American accent.
This is false! Examiners are trained to understand various accents, and clear communication is what matters most.

Longer answers are always better.
Quality matters more than quantity. It’s more important to stay on topic and be clear.

Mistakes mean you will fail.
Small mistakes are not important. Stay calm and correct yourself if you can, self-correction is a natural feature of communication. However, be careful not to do this too often as it could affect your score in Fluency and Coherence.

Finally, the IELTS Speaking Test is designed to assess real-world communication skills. By understanding the assessment criteria—Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation—you can tailor your preparation and approach the test with confidence. Regular practice, exposure to authentic English, and constructive feedback are key to excelling in the IELTS Speaking Test.

Check out all our other resources that will help you to prepare for your IELTS Test!

Good luck!