In IELTS Speaking Exam, you are going to be evaluated on your English-speaking skills. The examiner takes your verbal interview face to face to assess your skills and this interview is recorded. If your IELTS Exam is paper based, then you could have your speaking test either on the same day as your Listening, Reading, and Writing tests or 7 days before or after the other three tests. However, if your IELTS Exam is computer delivered, then you will have your speaking test on the same day as the other three tests.
The IELTS Speaking test is same for both Academic and General training so, they follow the same format. The test is divided into three parts and lasts for about 11-14 minutes.
PART 1 - In this part, the examiner will introduce himself/herself to you and will check your identity. Then the examiner will ask you some common questions.
For example: questions related to you, your life, your work, studies, home, family, friends, hobbies, interests, lifestyle, likes and dislikes etc. This part usually takes about 4-5 minutes. When answering questions in this part, do not just provide one-word answer or very short answers. Give a bit more information through your answers so that you can put forward your thoughts, reasons, and choices more clearly and effectively but at the same time do not overextend your answers too.
PART 2 - In this part, the examiner will give you a topic to speak on that will be written on a card. There will also be some points mentioned in that card that you should include in your topic. You will be given 1 minute to prepare, along with a pencil and a paper to make some notes during your preparation time. You are then required to speak on the topic for about 2 minutes.
You can get any topic to speak on, however, usually you get topics that you are familiar with and are related to you and your life in some or the other way.
For example: you may be asked to talk about your favourite sport, favourite picture, memorable event in your life, a leader you look up to, an experience that changed your life, etc.
Once, the 2-minute time is over, the examiner will ask you to stop. Then the examiner may ask you a couple of questions related to that topic. This part lasts for about 3-4 minutes.
PART 3 - In this part, the examiner will be asking you some questions that are going to be generically and conceptually related to the topic given in Part 2 of the test. You will have the chance to elaborate and provide a more general expression of your ideas, opinions, and viewpoints through these questions. This part takes about 4-5 minutes.
There are 4 factors on which your speaking assessment will be done.
This determines how clear and well organized your speech is. When you are answering the questions or speaking on a topic, there should be an effortless flow in your speech to sound more natural and fluent. For coherent speech, you must make sure that you present your answers in a structured way. There should be a link between your ideas and sentences throughout so that it sounds more logical and structured.
This determines how good your vocabulary is. You must use a variety of words instead of repeating the same words to present your views and to express yourself.
This descriptor determines how good and correct your grammar is. You must use a different types of sentence structures in your speech. For example, using a combination of simple and complex sentences. In order to score good on the grammatical range descriptor, you must elaborate on your answers so that there are interrelated parts in your speech to add complexity in your sentences. Similarly, by adding a subordinate clause to your sentence, you are adding more detail to your sentence which adds complexity to the sentence. However, it is equally important that your sentences are grammatically correct. For example, your tenses should be correct or if the sentence ends, your speech must reflect the pause before moving on to the next sentence.
This descriptor assesses how clearly you pronounce your words so that it is understood by the listener. It is true that different people may have different accents and the same words maybe pronounced differently depending on the accent, however, it is important that the words that you use are comprehendible. If the listener is putting a lot of effort to decipher the words in your speech, then you are going to lose marks in pronunciation.
“Unfortunately, I do not have much knowledge about this field, however, my guess is...”
By doing this, you will let the examiner know that you have understood the question and at the same time you will buy yourself some time to think.
People are frequently seen to be terrified and nervous about the IELTS Speaking Test. This nervousness not only undermines their confidence, but also causes them to make numerous errors, lowering their speaking score.
This usually occurs because they focus too much on the topic and try to memorize everything while preparing for their speaking test. However, it is critical to understand that rote learning is not a viable option if you want to achieve a high IELTS Speaking score. Always remember that it is not so much what you say as it is how you say it.
At Xpertmyy IELTS, you will learn all the skills necessary to achieve your ideal score. You will not only be prepared for the various topics and questions that may be covered in the exam, but you will also be much more confident and presentable, which will be reflected in your speech and body language.
So why wait? Join us and take the first steps toward your goal.
For example: you must use a variety of sentence structures, different tenses, and correct punctuation.
Every year during my summer vacation, me and my family plan a holiday and visit different places in India. This is my favourite time of the year as we explore new places and at the same time spend some quality time with each other, away from the hustle of the daily life. Last year, we visited Taj Mahal, located in Agra city of India. Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and it was developed under the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. When we reached there, the gentle rays of the morning sun were illuminating its beautiful white marbled exterior. Instantly, I fell in love with that place. As I got closer to the door, the detailed features of the fascinating carvings became even more visible. I found it extremely interesting that this historical marvel is a perfect fusion of Indian, Persian, and Turkish architectural styles. The designs are in perfect symmetry and this incredible accuracy is evident. But what impacted me the most was the emotional connection that this place offers and makes you think about the strength of love. Every nook and corner of this place tells a story. It is a story romance, affection, and dedication. Out of all the places, I have ever been to, this place has left an unforgettable impression on me. I truly believe that Taj Mahal is not just a magnificent monument but a living example of the belief that genuine love endures the test of time, much like classic architecture.
This is the end of the Speaking Test.
This is only a sample test created for you to have a better understanding of the Speaking Test. It is a good idea that you cover a variety of topics and questions when you are preparing for your actual Speaking Test to be thoroughly prepared.
To learn more about IELTS and for more IELTS related content such as:
Register with us and refer to the Course Overview menu page to connect and enroll in a course with us.
Join Xpertmyy IELTS and embark on your journey towards success and empowering dreams.