How to prepare for IELTS – Speaking Contents

Details of the Speaking Test Structure of the test

The speaking test is the last test you do on the test day. You will be given a time slot between about 2pm and 6.30pm.

There are three tasks or parts to the test which takes the form of an interview lasting between 11 & 14 minutes:

1. Part 1 Introduction & Interview (4-5 minutes)
2. Part 2 Individual long turn (3-4 minutes)
3. Part 3 Two-way discussion (4-5 minutes)

The tasks test your ability to perform the following functions in English:

• provide personal and non-personal information
• express & justify opinions
• make suggestions
• speculate
• express a preference
• make comparisons & discuss contrasts
• summarise
• relate personal experiences
• analyse
• repair conversation & paraphrase

Procedure of the test

The test is conducted by one examiner. He or she asks all the questions and assesses you. The test is recorded on audio cassette.You will be taken to the examiner’s room where you will be asked to sit either opposite or at right angles to the examiner. The examiner will then switch on the cassette recorder and start the test.

Marking

Your performance will be assessed on the criteria below:

Fluency & Coherence

Being able to keep going, to talk at a normal rate without unnatural pauses and hesitations.
Being able to link ideas and language together clearly so the examiner understands you.

Lexical Resource

Having the vocabulary which enables you to express yourself while talking about both familiar and unfamiliar topics or being able to get around any vocabulary gaps without hesitation.

Having the vocabulary which enables you to express yourself while talking about both familiar and unfamiliar topics or being able to get around any vocabulary gaps without hesitation.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

Being able to use a variety of grammatical structures appropriately.
Making as few grammatical mistakes as possible.
Being understood despite making grammatical mistakes.

Pronunciation

Being able to use English pronunciation features like stress and intonation naturally.
Not causing the examiner any problems in understanding what you are
saying.
The examiner will give you a score from 1 to 9 for each of these factors.
They will be converted into one final score between 1 and 9.