The Speaking test is meant to mirror, as closely as possible, the way that people speak in real life. In contrast to the Writing test — which takes place under silent examination conditions — the Speaking test is a live conversation with a trained examiner following a neat script which is sometimes broken through more natural responses to your answers. The examiner is not attempting to catch you out or set traps for you; they are more here to gauge how well you can use spoken English across a variety of topics and difficulties. The test takes place in a sealed-off space in the exam centre (outside of Listening, Reading and Writing).

IELTS does take this window out of the possibility — examiners are trained to keep the test between 11 and 14 minutes. In I suggest you this: if your answers in Part 1 are very brief, the examiner will appointment more questions to full the time. The examiner will move to the next question or part if your replies are very lengthy and extensive. It also gives you a sense of how to distribute time for each part — Part 1: answers should be at least 2–3 sentences, Part 2: make sure you fill the full maximum allowed of 2 minutes, and Part 3: answers should take more like about ~4–6 sentences stating your reasoning.

Each of the three parts to this test have been designed to assess gradually more complex language use. Part 1 checks your ability to discuss everyday familiar matters — things you know well and can speak about daily. In Part 2 you will be assessed on your talent for producing a longer, subject-related utterance in the format of spoken English alone. In fact, part 3 looks at your ability to express and justify opinions on complex-esque issues with abstract, societal-level ideas — the highest band level achievable. Different strategies and language are required for each separate part.

They try to make the Speaking test physical setting as comfortable and natural as possible. The private space removes the distraction and pressure of being overheard or heard by one other candidate who could affect your psyche negatively. An example is the examiner which trained to maintain a neutral, professional demeanour — they will award no approval and or disapproval of your answers as that could otherwise affect how you perform. The recording on the table is absolutely normal and nothing to worry about — it is for quality assurance, examiner monitoring and also to process any score query that you may put in after your test.

This is one of the most important fact for General Training candidates. It is a speaking test and many think it would be easier or the marking can be more lenient in General Training - not at all. The same band descriptors are used to assess both Academic and General Training candidates, but by the same trained examiner. The topics and questions are picked from the same question bank that is used for both test types. All Speaking preparation resources, practice strategies, model answers and vocabulary tips for Academic IELTS also apply to General Training IELTS Speaking.

The recording device can even be seen on the desk and is nothing to worry about — it is routine in every single IELTS Speaking test throughout the world. Routine does not transcribe or mark a recording by the second examiner. However, if you make an Enquiry on Results request for your Speaking score, the recording will be analysed by a more senior IELTS examiner who will re-evaluate your performance separately. Test recordings are stored securely for a set time after the test. Your recording is not sent to you.

Clarification questions do not accrue you any penalisation in IELTS Speaking as it is a natural part of real conversation. Actually, with polite natural clarification phrases demonstrates communicative competence rather than being weak – it shows that you know how to handle the conversation. What you should not do is act like you got a question that your sitting right next to and give an answer that has absolutely nothing to do with what I asked. A misheard question leading to an off-topic answer costs you far more marks than a short, natural request for repetition.

That you don't understand a question does not mean that you lack the words to say anything about it. If you got the question but are blanking on what to answer, use thinking time phrases — "That's an interesting question… never thought about it that way before…" and then make an effort at an answer. If there was a question to which you truly had no idea what the person meant, you can ask for that clarification on the spot. If you still don't get it after the examiner repeats it, say "I'm sorry, I still don't quite understand — do you mean [your interpretation]?" The examiner will verify or redirect.

Because of the holistic assessment approach, one poor answer does not destroy your score — the examiner is getting an overall impression across the full 11–14 minute test. Nevertheless drawbacks in with respect to lots of Inquiry in the same standards will repeatedly scored down the scores of that criterion. In biometric assessments, the examiner marks in real time during attending test and cannot go back and revise their assessment afterwards. This is also why your performance on Part 3 — the last and most intricate part — has the biggest impact, since it leaves the last impression and is crucial in showcasing a wide skill set at band 7 and above.

Having an awareness of the four criteria changes the way you prepare for the Speaking test because it will tell you precisely what is being assessed by your examiner — and what is not. A lot of candidates assumed the examiner is only interested in content/ideas. In fact, the examiner really is testing how you convey those ideas: your fluency, your vocabulary, your grammar structures and pronunciation. They do not mark for factual accuracy here — even if you say something that was factually incorrect, it is okay as long as you can express it fluently and coherently.