IELTS Speaking

The IELTS Speaking is the same for both General Training test and Academic test and assesses your use of spoken English. All speaking tests are conducted face-to-face with a certified IELTS examiner and are recorded in case they need to be reviewed.

The Speaking test takes between 11 and 14 minutes and consists of 3 parts.

• In Part 1, the first part of the test, the examiner will ask you some general questions about familiar topics like work, family, studies and hobbies.

• In Part 2 you will be given a card with a topic. You will be given one minute to take notes on the topic and will be given a pencil and paper to prepare your response. You will then speak on the topic for two minutes.

• In Part 3 of the interview, you will have a two-way discussion with the examiner where they will ask questions related to the topic discussed in Part 2.

The Speaking test may be conducted up to seven days before or two days after the test.

Additionally, we're happy to inform you that video call Speaking tests are available at some select test centres. At IELTS – we hear you.

Learn more about the IELTS Speaking test

The IELTS Speaking test is with a real person

• The IELTS Speaking test has always been one-on-one and face-to-face. Unlike some other English tests where you have to speak into a computer, the IELTS test is structured more like a conversation between the examiner and the test taker.

Don't get timed out with IELTS

• We won’t cut you off if you take too long to start. Get the time and consideration you deserve with IELTS.

Clarify the question

• Choose to take a test with a person, someone who will understand your pace and skill level. They can clarify the question and make sure you understand it.

We hear your accent

• IELTS is an international test, and we accept your accent wherever in the world you’re from. Your examiner will match your speaking pace and proficiency.

Get expert coaching with IELTS Speaking Coaching

• Practice your speaking skills with an IELTS expert and receive a personalised action plan to improve your IELTS Speaking band score.

In the IELTS Speaking test, there are four assessment criteria:

• Fluency and coherence

• Lexical resource

• Grammatical range and accuracy

• Pronunciation

Your Speaking results are given as band scores ranging from a band 0 to a band 9. Your IELTS Speaking band score will contribute to your overall IELTS band score .

The assessment criteria used by IELTS examiners are the same for both the General Training and Academic tests.

Learn about Speaking band scores