IELTS Skill Guide

Speaking

A face-to-face interview in three parts, lasting 11 to 14 minutes. The same format for Academic and General Training.

The IELTS Speaking test is a one-to-one conversation with a certified examiner, and it is recorded. It lasts 11 to 14 minutes across three parts. You are marked on four criteria: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation. The test is the same whether you take Academic or General Training.

Duration
11 to 14 minutes
Format
Face-to-face with a certified examiner
Part 2 prep
1 minute to prepare, then speak for up to 2 minutes
Criteria
Fluency, Vocabulary, Grammar, Pronunciation

Part 1 — Introduction and interview

Lasting 4 to 5 minutes, the examiner introduces themselves and asks you general questions about familiar topics — your home, family, work, studies, and interests. This part settles your nerves and tests your ability to talk about everyday life fluently.

Part 2 — The long turn

You are given a task card with a topic and bullet points. You have 1 minute to prepare and can make notes, then you speak for 1 to 2 minutes without interruption. The examiner may ask one or two brief follow-up questions. This part tests your ability to speak at length and organise your ideas.

Part 3 — Discussion

Lasting 4 to 5 minutes, the examiner asks deeper, more abstract questions linked to the Part 2 topic. This is where you demonstrate your ability to express and justify opinions, analyse, speculate, and discuss issues in more depth.

Top tips to raise your band

1
Extend every answer — never reply with just one sentence; give reasons and examples.
2
In Part 2, use your one minute of prep to jot keywords against each bullet point so you never run dry.
3
Do not memorise scripted answers; examiners are trained to spot them and it lowers your fluency score.
4
Use a range of tenses and linking words naturally — "the thing is", "what I mean is", "on the other hand".
5
Pronunciation is about being clear and using natural stress and intonation, not about having a British or American accent.

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