The Speaking test is a face-to-face conversation of 11–14 minutes in three parts. It is marked on fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation: all equally weighted. Accent is not penalised.
The three parts
| Part | Length | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | 4–5 minutes | Questions about familiar topics: home, studies, work, hobbies |
| Part 2 | 3–4 minutes | A topic card, 1 minute to prepare, then speak for up to 2 minutes |
| Part 3 | 4–5 minutes | A deeper discussion of ideas linked to the Part 2 topic |
Part 1: answer, then extend
Do not give one-word answers, and do not give speeches. Answer the question, then add a reason or an example: "Yes, I do: mostly at weekends, because weekdays are taken up with university." Two or three sentences is about right.
Part 2: use your minute well
You get a pencil and paper. Write four or five keywords, not sentences, covering each point on the card. Then talk through them in order. If you finish early, add a personal detail or explain why the topic matters to you. The examiner will stop you at two minutes, which is fine.
Part 3: where bands are decided
Part 3 questions are abstract: Why do people…? How might this change in future? Is it better for society if…? Candidates who prepared only familiar Part 1 topics often struggle here. To answer well:
- Give an opinion, then explain the reason
- Use comparison and speculation: compared with twenty years ago, it is likely that…
- It is fine to say "That's an interesting question. I haven't thought about it before, but…" to buy a moment
What examiners listen for
- Fluency: speaking at length without long pauses or self-correction
- Coherence: linking ideas with words like however, as a result, on the other hand
- Vocabulary: accurate, natural words, including less common ones
- Grammar: a range of structures, mostly accurate
- Pronunciation: clear stress and intonation, easy to understand
How to practise
Record yourself answering real questions and listen back for pauses and repeated words. Practise Part 3 specifically. And practise with someone who can tell you which band your answer would get: that feedback is what turns practice into progress.
See our IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training programmes, or read how long IELTS preparation actually takes.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the IELTS Speaking test?
Between 11 and 14 minutes, in three parts.
Is the Speaking test on the same day as the other modules?
It can be on the same day or up to 7 days before or after the Listening, Reading and Writing tests, depending on your test centre.
Will my accent lower my score?
No. Pronunciation is assessed for clarity and intelligibility, not for any particular accent.
Can I ask the examiner to repeat a question?
Yes. In Parts 1 and 3 you can ask for a question to be repeated; asking occasionally does not affect your score.
More IELTS, SAT & English guides
- IELTS Listening tips: format, question types and easy marks
- IELTS Reading strategies: timing, True/False/Not Given and headings
- IELTS on computer vs paper: which format should you choose?
- The digital SAT format explained: sections, timing and scoring
- What is a good SAT score?
- SAT Reading and Writing tips for the digital SAT
- All IELTS, SAT & English guides →
Written by the Learning Bubble teaching team. If something here does not match your situation, ask us. We would rather give you a straight answer than have you guess.