IELTS Speaking Test Assessment

The IELTS Speaking Test consists of three parts and your overall band score is determined according to four categories.

1. Fluency and Coherence (25%)
   A student’s ability to discuss topics without pausing or hesitating too much, or repeating the same word/phrase.
   Some general advice for this category:
   – avoid pausing/hesitating too much.
   – avoid repeating the same words.
   – develop your answers: when expressing your opinion on a particular topic, give examples. Answers formed from your own experiences can improve your band score.
   – organize your ideas logically: when organizing your ideas, make use of linking words such as “… because …”, “… so that …”, “Also …”, “In addition …”
2. Lexical Resource (25%)
   The range of vocabulary that the student can use when speaking. Correct usage of collocations also falls under this category.
   Achieving a good score in this category requires the student to use less common vocabulary. (An example would be: “It was scorching outside.” Scorching = very hot in this example.)
   If you are looking to achieve a band 7 or higher score, you will need to be able to use less common words and phrases as well as make use of synonyms.
3. Grammatical Range and Accuracy (25%)
   The number of grammatical structures a student uses when speaking and how frequently they make mistakes.
   To achieve a high band score, you will need to be able to comfortably use past, present and future tenses.
   Practice speaking about hypothetical situations or about topics where you need to speculate about something.
   An important note regarding Grammatical Range and Accuracy: You don’t need to speak perfectly, making mistakes will not lead to a worse score as long as your mistakes don’t block communication with the examiner.
4. Pronunciation (25%)
   Be aware of how you pronounce individual sounds. Do you stress the correct syllables in a word? Do you have good intonation?

Additional Tips:

• Stick to vocabulary you know and know how to use. (Don’t use unfamiliar words/phrases/idioms)
• Listen to the examiner’s question(s) carefully. Not listening carefully may result in you misunderstanding the question.
• Always answer questions with relevant answers. Stay on topic and answer the question the examiner asked.
• Ask for clarification: If you don’t understand a question or you think you may have heard the examiner incorrectly: ask for clarification. Asking for clarification also allows you to make use of clarification phrases such as: “I’m sorry. I don’t quite understand the question.”
• If you find you are stuck and need time to think about what you are next going to say: use conversation fillers.
• Use adjectives.
• Don’t rush through your sentences when speaking. You want the examiner to easily hear and understand you.
• Don’t give short answers! Develop your answers/expand your answers.
• Don’t memorize answers – it does not sound natural.
• Taking an exam is a very stressful situation and you will probably be feeling nervous, but remember to try and enjoy yourself and smile at the examiner.

Good luck with your IELTS preparation.