The IELTS Speaking is the same for both General Training and Academic and assesses your use of spoken English. All speaking tests are conducted face-to-face with a certified IELTS examiner and are recorded in case they need to be reviewed.
The Speaking test takes between 11 and 14 minutes and consists of 3 parts. Part 1 is the first part of the test where the examiner will ask you some general questions about familiar topics like work, family, studies and hobbies.
In Part 2 you will be given a card with a topic. You will be given one minute to take notes on the topic and will be given a pencil and paper to prepare your response. You will then speak on the topic for two minutes. In Part 3 of the interview, you will have a two-way discussion with the examiner where they will ask questions related to the topic discussed in Part 2.
The Speaking test may be conducted on the same day as the other tests or a week before or after the other test parts.
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The Listening, Reading, and Writing parts of the test are completed immediately after each other on the same day. In some test centres, you will sit the Speaking test on the same day, or up to 7 days before or after your test date.
If you take IELTS on computer, the Speaking test will be taken on the same day, either before, or after the other three parts of the test.
Smiling can help you feel relaxed which in turn might help you perform better. However, if you smile or laugh too much, it might not be appropriate for the topic you are discussing. Every examiner is trained and monitored closely to be fair to every candidate and to assess your level of English. The examiners will not give you more or fewer marks if you are smiling and laughing. It is best to try and relax as much as you can and communicate in a natural way.
The Speaking test is a discussion with a highly qualified IELTS examiner who assesses your ability to talk about a range of topics. The Speaking test has three parts and is recorded. A description of the three parts of the interview is found in the Information for Candidates booklet.
As IELTS is an international test, a variety of voices and native-speaker accents are used in both the General Training and Academic tests.
Everyone speaks with an accent and you are not expected to change your accent for the IELTS test. Instead, focus on speaking clearly and at a natural pace so that the examiner can understand you. Practising your English every day and listening to different native speaker accents will help you to more clearly pronounce difficult words.
You must bring the same passport or national identity card that you used to book your IELTS test. Your ID will be checked before you enter the interview room and again during the interview.
Watch a band 9 performance in IELTS Speaking, Part 3
Find out what English-language skills you need to get a band 9 in IELTS Speaking, Part 3.
Watch a band 8.5 performance in IELTS Speaking Part 3
Watch a short video of Kenn in his IELTS Speaking test and learn why he was awarded a band 8.5.
IELTS Speaking test, Part 1 - what does a band 7.5 look like?
Take a closer look at what English-language skills you need to get a band 7.5 in Part 1 of an IELTS Speaking test.
IELTS Speaking test, a closer look at a band 7 in Part 3
Watch this Part 3 IELTS Speaking test sample and discover why Mauricio’s performance was given a band 7.
A quick look at a band 6 performance in IELTS Speaking, Part 3
Find out why Brian, from China, received a band 6 in this IELTS Speaking test sample, Part 3.
IELTS Speaking test sample - what a band 5.5 looks like in Part 3?
Take a look at Ali, from Saudi Arabia, and find out what English-language skills are associated with an IELTS band 5.5.
What does a band 3.5 look like in IELTS Speaking Part 3?
Watch this short IELTS Speaking test sample with Harry, from Vietnam, and learn what a 3.5 band score looks like.
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