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IELTS Speaking practice tests

11–14 min · 3 parts · Cue card + Discussion · Identical for both versions

Start a test Speaking flashcardsIELTS guides

IELTS Speaking is an 11–14 minute face-to-face interview in 3 parts. Part 1 covers familiar topics. Part 2 is a 2-minute cue card monologue. Part 3 is an in-depth discussion. It is identical for Academic and General Training and tests Fluency, Lexical Resource, Grammar, and Pronunciation.

About IELTS Speaking and how to practise it

IELTS Speaking is an 11 to 14 minute face to face interview in three parts. Part 1 is short questions on familiar topics, Part 2 is a one to two minute talk from a cue card after a minute of preparation, and Part 3 is a discussion of more abstract ideas linked to the Part 2 topic.

Speaking is marked on fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. Because there is no automatic score here, record yourself and compare your answers with the notes under each question.

How to use these tests

  1. Answer each question out loud with a timer: 20 to 30 seconds in Part 1, 1 to 2 minutes in Part 2, 30 to 45 seconds in Part 3.
  2. Record yourself and listen for long pauses, filler words and flat intonation.
  3. Learn linking phrases and use them in new answers instead of memorising full answers.
  4. Revise with the speaking flashcards between tests.

Common mistakes

  • Giving one word answers in Part 1.
  • Stopping a Part 2 talk before the full time.
  • Using memorised answers, which examiners can recognise.

Related: speaking flashcards, writing flashcards, band score calculator, vocabulary flashcards, band scores explained, IELTS guides.

Frequently Asked Questions about IELTS Speaking

What is a cue card in IELTS Speaking?

In IELTS Speaking Part 2, you are given a cue card with a topic and 3-4 bullet points. You have 1 minute to prepare notes and then must speak for 2 minutes. Common topics include describing a person, place, event, or object.

How is IELTS Speaking scored?

IELTS Speaking is scored on 4 criteria: Fluency and Coherence (25%), Lexical Resource (25%), Grammatical Range and Accuracy (25%), and Pronunciation (25%). Each criterion is scored from Band 0 to Band 9.

Pair your practice with a clear plan.

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