The IELTS Speaking Test is one of the four components of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam, alongside Listening, Reading, and Writing. It is designed to evaluate a candidate’s spoken English skills in a face-to-face interview with a certified examiner. This section of the exam is the same for both the Academic and General Training versions of IELTS.
The total time of the speaking test is 11 to 14 minutes, and it is recorded for assessment purposes. The interview format ensures that test-takers can demonstrate their spoken fluency, grammatical accuracy, pronunciation, and ability to organize thoughts in real time.
The IELTS Speaking section is divided into three distinct parts, each focusing on different question types and interaction styles. Understanding the structure is crucial for effective preparation and confidence on test day.
Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking Test begins with the examiner greeting the candidate and asking for their identification. This is followed by a brief introduction and warm-up, which transitions into a set of general questions. These questions are on familiar topics such as:
Your hometown
Your family
Work or studies
Hobbies and interests
Daily routine
Travel
Food preferences
This section is designed to put the candidate at ease and allow them to speak naturally about themselves. The examiner will ask 8 to 12 questions, and the goal is to check how well the candidate can use simple and clear language to discuss everyday situations.
Example questions:
“What kind of food do you like?”
“Do you enjoy your work or studies?”
“What do you usually do on weekends?”
Purpose of Part 1:
Assess ability to communicate basic information clearly and fluently.
Test grammatical range and accuracy with common topics.
Examine natural speech patterns in an informal conversation.
In Part 2, the candidate is given a task card with a topic and four guiding bullet points. They have 1 minute to prepare and are allowed to make brief notes. After the preparation time, the candidate must speak for 1 to 2 minutes on the topic without interruption.
Example prompt:
“Describe a book you recently read.
You should say:
– what the book is about
– when you read it
– why you chose it
and explain why you liked or disliked it.”
After the monologue, the examiner may ask one or two follow-up questions related to the topic.
Purpose of Part 2:
Evaluate the ability to organize extended speech on a single topic.
Assess use of linking devices, topic-related vocabulary, and coherent storytelling.
Test fluency and pronunciation without interactive support from the examiner.
This part is often referred to as the “individual long turn”, and it mimics situations in real life where the speaker needs to express a complete idea or story without back-and-forth interaction.
In the final part of the Speaking Test, the examiner and candidate engage in a two-way discussion related to the topic introduced in Part 2. The questions are more abstract and complex, requiring the test-taker to analyze, compare, or give opinions about societal issues or hypothetical scenarios.
Example questions (following the book topic above):
“How important is reading for personal development?”
“Do you think digital books will replace printed books?”
“What are the differences between reading fiction and non-fiction?”
Purpose of Part 3:
Measure the ability to defend ideas, present arguments, and justify opinions.
Evaluate how well candidates can handle abstract ideas, speculative questions, and complex structures.
Test both depth and flexibility in spoken English.
This section gives the examiner a deeper understanding of the candidate’s ability to engage in academic-style discussions, use advanced vocabulary, and structure responses with clarity.
The IELTS Speaking Test lasts 11–14 minutes and is interview-based.
It consists of three parts, each with a different focus:
Part 1: Personal questions on familiar topics.
Part 2: A short speech based on a prompt.
Part 3: A more complex discussion on related issues.
The test is evaluated using four scoring criteria:
Fluency and Coherence
Lexical Resource (Vocabulary Use)
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Pronunciation
Each of these criteria accounts for 25% of the total speaking score.
Understanding the structure of the IELTS Speaking Test helps candidates:
Prepare more effectively by targeting each part individually.
Build confidence by knowing what to expect.
Practice relevant strategies such as expanding answers, organizing ideas, and maintaining fluency.
Improve performance by aligning with the band descriptors.
Students often make the mistake of treating the speaking test as just a conversation. However, knowing the format and purpose of each part allows for targeted practice, higher speaking bands, and better time management during the test.
Preparation strategies include:
Daily speaking practice on common topics.
Recording answers and listening for pronunciation and grammar mistakes.
Using sample questions for Part 1, 2, and 3.
Practicing with a speaking partner or tutor.
Expanding vocabulary with topic-specific word lists.
Shadowing native speakers to mimic rhythm and intonation.
By starting with a strong understanding of the Speaking Test’s structure, candidates lay the foundation for targeted preparation, which will be further developed in the following units of this course.