IELTS Speaking Test- Detailed Overview
In this article, you will learn
What is IELTS speaking test
IELTS speaking test particular info
Marking criteria for IELTS speaking test
Increase your speaking ability
Parts of Speaking IELTS test
Practice for IELTS speaking test
Components of IELTS speaking test
Let us discuss them one by one in detail.
What is IELTS speaking test?
IELTS Speaking test is a face to face conversation between the candidate and the examiner. This test takes at least 11 to 14 minutes. There are 3 parts of this test. IELTS Speaking test is the same for both types of candidates (General& Academic).
When you want to go in any foreign country where English is the only way of communication with others, you need to prepare yourself for IELTS test. Because of this test, your ability of speaking, reading, writing and listening is completely assessed and graded according to your performance.
IELTS speaking test particular info
Let us discuss IELTS speaking test and its particular info which are necessary to understand for every candidate.
- IELTS Speaking test is a face-to-face communication between the candidate and the examiner in a hall or a room.
- This test is identical for both types of candidates (General& Academic).
- This speaking test is a formal test, so you are to follow the protocol in a full-fledged way.
- The examiner who asks questions decides your result at the end of your exam.
- The test is taken in 11 to 14 minutes.
- When you are speaking, your examiner notes your time and the length of your answers.
Marking criteria for IELTS speaking test
There are four marking criteria which are settled by your examiner. This table will help you to understand the marking criteria of IELTS speaking test:
Increase your speaking ability
IELTS speaking test can help you to pass this test with good bands. To achieve this goal, you need to understand this speaking test format properly.
3 parts of IELTS speaking test
There are mainly 3 parts of IELTS speaking test. These are:
IELTS speaking part 1
IELTS speaking part 2
IELTS speaking part3
IELTS speaking part 1
First of all, you need to understand its part 1 requirements. In this task, the examiner can ask you very short and simple questions about your routine such as your name, home town, job, family, hobbies and your study.
Basically, in this test the examiner asks you 8 to 10 questions which consist of 4 and 5 minutes. Usually, task 1 is easy for you to answer the examiner’s questions. Keep one thing in your mind that your answers should be natural; when you are speaking in this test. It is essential for both type of candidates (General& Academic).
IELTS speaking part 2
In part 2, you are given a specific topic for talking commonly known as cue card. This topic is only selected for you. You are to given one pen and paper to prepare hints for this test; because of this process, this test is also called ‘cue card’.
Most of the topics can be related to stories of yourself or something, which happened in your life. Moreover, you are to be given 1 minute to prepare for this answer and have to speak 1 and 2 minutes continuously without any interruption.
IELTS speaking part 3
In this last part of speaking, the examiner asks you questions related to the part 2. IELTS speaking Part 3 requires you to answer the examiner’s question in detail.
Actually, speaking test is a two-way process where your examiner asks you any questions and you are given acceptable answers to him. In this test, your examiner controls your time length when you speak. IELTS speaking part 3 takes at least 4 to 5 minutes.
Practice for IELTS speaking test
This practice test is very easy for those people who want to study together or in the form of group. You need to find a study partner who helps you to do practice. This might be your mentor or a friend. There are three parts of this practice test which are taken one after another without any break between them.
Remember this thing that when you are speaking, your examiner checks your fluency, pronunciation, task response, grammar clearly and completely. Don’t prepare your answers in advance, because it is not beneficial for you. Do speaking practice in such a way in which you look natural and comfortable while expressing your views.
Record your voice if you want to do and check your performance properly.
Components of IELTS speaking test
These are four main components of IELTS speaking test. Due to this table, it can be easy for you to understand IELTS test’s components.
Listening
4 parts, 40 items, approximately 30 minutes
Academic Reading General Training Reading
3 sections, 40 items or 3 sections, 40 items
60 minutes 60 minutes
Academic Writing General Training Writing
2 tasks or 2 tasks
60 minutes 60 minutes
Speaking
11 to 14 minutes
Total Test Time
2 hours, 44 minutes