Key takeaways
- The Speaking test takes 11 to 14 minutes, is recorded, and is a live conversation with one examiner.
- It has three parts: an interview (4 to 5 minutes), a cue card talk (3 to 4 minutes) and a discussion (4 to 5 minutes).
- It can be scheduled on the same day as the other tests or up to seven days before or after.
- Examiners are friendly but follow a script, so do not expect them to react or give hints.
Most candidates are more nervous about Speaking than any other part of IELTS, mainly because they do not know what the room is like. Knowing the steps removes a lot of that fear. Here is what usually happens on the day, from arriving at the centre to the last question.
Before you go in
- Arrive early with the same ID you used to book. Without it you cannot take the test.
- Your belongings are stored away. You cannot bring your phone, notes or a watch into the room.
- You wait in a waiting area until the examiner calls your name. The wait can be long, so bring nothing to revise except what you can recall.
The Speaking test can be on the same day as the other three sections or on a different day, up to seven days before or after, depending on your test centre. You are told the date and time when you book.
In the room
You sit with one examiner, and the conversation is recorded so it can be checked. The examiner first confirms your name and your ID, then starts Part 1. They are polite and neutral, and they may not smile or comment on your answers. That is normal and is not a sign that you are doing badly.
Part 1: Introduction and interview (4 to 5 minutes)
The examiner asks about familiar topics such as your home, work or studies, and then two or three others, such as food, hobbies or travel. Give an answer of two or three sentences with a reason or example. See our list of common Part 1 questions.
Part 2: The cue card (3 to 4 minutes)
The examiner hands you a card with a topic and four prompts, plus paper and a pencil. You have one minute to prepare and then speak for one to two minutes. The examiner will stop you at two minutes and may ask one or two short follow-up questions. Our guide to Part 2 shows how to fill the time.
Part 3: Discussion (4 to 5 minutes)
The examiner asks more abstract questions linked to the Part 2 topic, such as how things have changed or what society should do. Give longer, developed answers with reasons and examples. See Part 3 extended answers.
How you are marked
The examiner scores four equally weighted criteria: fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. You are marked on the whole test, not on each part.
Tips for staying calm
- Treat it as a conversation, not an exam. Look at the examiner and speak naturally.
- If you do not understand a question, ask politely: "Sorry, could you repeat that?" It does not lower your score.
- If you make a mistake, correct it briefly and carry on.
- Do not memorise answers. Examiners are trained to spot them and they lower your fluency score.
- Breathe and take a second before you answer. A short pause is better than a filler such as "um" repeated.
Practise before the day
Record yourself on a Speaking practice test, listen back for pauses and unclear words, and then use our Speaking flashcards to build phrases. For a longer plan, see the four week Speaking plan.