How to Get the IELTS Speaking Score You Want
For many candidates, the speaking test is the most nerve-racking part of IELTS. The good news is that it’s also the most predictable: the format never changes, and the examiner marks you against four clear criteria. Once you know exactly what they’re listening for and how each part works, you can train for it like any other skill. Here’s how the test is scored, what happens in each part, and how to prepare.
How the IELTS speaking test is scored
The examiner rates you on four criteria, and each one counts equally, 25% of your speaking band. Your final score is the average of the four, reported on the 0 to 9 band scale. Knowing them is the difference between practising blindly and practising what actually earns marks.
| Criterion | What the examiner assesses | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency and coherence | How smoothly you speak and how well you link and order your ideas. | 25% |
| Lexical resource | The range and precision of your vocabulary, including less common and idiomatic words. | 25% |
| Grammatical range and accuracy | The variety of structures you use and how accurately you use them. | 25% |
| Pronunciation | How clear and natural your sounds, stress and intonation are. | 25% |
Notice what isn’t on the list: having the “right” opinion, or knowing a lot about the topic. The examiner is assessing your English, not your ideas, so a simple answer in clear, well-organised English beats a clever answer in tangled English.
The three parts of the test
| Part | What it is | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | Introduction and interview on familiar topics | 4–5 minutes |
| Part 2 | The long turn: a short talk from a cue card | 3–4 minutes (1 min to prepare) |
| Part 3 | A two-way discussion linked to Part 2 | 4–5 minutes |
Part 1: Introduction and interview
The examiner asks about familiar topics, so prepare by speaking for a minute or two on each of these:
- your home town, your home, and your family
- your childhood, your hobbies, and your pets
- your job and your plans for the future
- why you study English and why you chose your career
Aim for full, extended answers rather than a single sentence. A yes/no answer won’t get you far here. Also practise ways to ask for clarification (“Sorry, could you rephrase that?”), so an unfamiliar question doesn’t cost you marks. If it happens, stay calm: a relaxed mind works out what the examiner means far more easily than a panicked one.
Part 2: The long turn
You get a cue card and one minute to prepare, then you speak for one to two minutes before the examiner asks a follow-up or two. Use that minute: jot notes, or sketch a quick mind map with the topic in the middle and your points branching off. Don’t rush through your ideas. Finish one before moving to the next, give them a logical order, and link them with signposting phrases.
Firstly… / Secondly… / Another reason is… / On top of that… / For example… / So, in conclusion… / Finally…
Part 3: Two-way discussion
Part 3 digs deeper into the Part 2 theme with more abstract questions. The skill to practise here is buying yourself thinking time naturally, the way native speakers do, instead of freezing or filling the silence with “um.”
That’s a really good question… / Well, let me think for a moment… / I’ve never been asked that before… / I suppose it depends, but…
Try to personalise your answers, too. If you talk about something that genuinely interests you, it shows in your voice and it’s more engaging for the examiner.
How to train for the score you want
Reading about the test only takes you so far; the score comes from speaking. Rehearse full Part 1 answers out loud, time yourself on Part 2 cue cards, and practise Part 3 discussions with someone who can push back. Most importantly, get feedback against the four criteria, because you can’t fix fluency, vocabulary, grammar or pronunciation that you can’t hear in your own speech.
The fastest way to raise your band is to practise with someone who marks against the real criteria and tells you exactly what to improve. Our IELTS preparation course works through all three parts with experienced native teachers, so you walk in prepared and calm. Live English has coached over 10,000 learners since 2007. Your first trial lesson is free, no credit card needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the IELTS speaking test?
How is the IELTS speaking test scored?
What is a good IELTS speaking score?
What happens in Part 2 of the speaking test?
How can I improve my IELTS speaking score?
Train for the format, practise against the four criteria, and walk in calm. That’s how you get the IELTS speaking score you want.
