What the Speaking test is
IELTS Speaking is a face-to-face talk with one examiner. It takes about 11 to 14 minutes. It is recorded, but you speak to a real person, not a computer.
The Speaking test is the same for Academic and General Training. Whatever you are taking IELTS for, the speaking part does not change.
There are three parts, and they always come in the same order. Let's look at each one.
The three parts
Part 1 — Introduction and familiar topics
First the examiner checks who you are, then asks simple questions about familiar topics — your home, your work or studies, your free time, food, weather, and so on. This part lasts about 4 to 5 minutes.
Answers here are short — one or two sentences with a reason or an example. You do not need long speeches.
Part 2 — The long turn (the cue card)
The examiner gives you a cue card with a topic and a few points to cover. You get one minute to prepare (with paper and a pencil), then you speak on your own for one to two minutes. After that, the examiner may ask one or two short follow-up questions.
This is the part most people worry about, because you talk alone. The good news: it is very trainable. See our focused guide, IELTS Speaking Part 2: how to talk for 2 minutes.
Part 3 — Discussion
Part 3 is a two-way discussion linked to the Part 2 topic, but more general and abstract. The examiner asks you to compare, give opinions, and explain. It lasts about 4 to 5 minutes.
Here the examiner wants longer, developed answers — an opinion, a reason, and an example.
How your band is decided
You get a band from 0 to 9, in half-band steps (for example 6.0, 6.5, 7.0). The examiner scores you on four things, and each one counts the same amount (25%):
| Criterion | What the examiner listens for |
|---|---|
| Fluency and Coherence | Can you keep going without long pauses, and do your ideas connect clearly? |
| Lexical Resource | Do you use a good range of words, including some less common ones, and use them correctly? |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | Do you use different sentence types, and how many grammar mistakes do you make? |
| Pronunciation | Is your speech easy to understand — sounds, stress, and rhythm? |
Your final Speaking band is the average of these four. Because they are equal, it pays to work on your weakest one first. Want to know exactly which one is holding you back? Aflo scores each criterion for you — see how Aflo scores your English.
How to prepare — a simple plan
You improve speaking by speaking, then checking what to fix, then speaking again. Reading about it is not enough. Here is a plan that works:
- Answer real questions out loud, every day. Even 10 minutes a day beats one long session a week.
- Record yourself. Listen back. You will hear pauses, repeated words, and grammar slips you miss in the moment.
- Fix one thing at a time. Pick your weakest criterion (say, fluency) and focus on it for a week before moving on.
- Learn topic words in groups. Prepare useful words for common topics — work, hobbies, your hometown — so you are not searching for words during the test.
- Practise the 2-minute talk with a timer. Part 2 is a skill you can drill until it feels normal.
The hard part alone is knowing what to fix. That is where honest feedback helps: it tells you your band and the exact sentences that lower it.
Common mistakes that lower your band
- Answers that are too short. In Part 2 and Part 3, one-line answers keep your band down. Add a reason and an example.
- Memorised speeches. Examiners spot rehearsed answers quickly, and they hurt your fluency score when the question is slightly different.
- Filling every pause with "um". A short silence to think is fine. Learn a few natural phrases to buy time ("That's an interesting question…").
- Using only simple sentences. Mix in longer sentences with words like because, although, and which to show grammatical range.
- Trying to use big words you are unsure of. A wrong "advanced" word costs more than a correct simple one. Use words you control.
Keep reading
Go deeper on each part of the Speaking test — and when you're ready, the writing side too:
Frequently asked questions
How long is the IELTS Speaking test?
About 11 to 14 minutes, in three parts, with one examiner.
Is IELTS Speaking the same for Academic and General Training?
Yes. The Speaking test is identical for both versions of IELTS.
How much time do I get to prepare for Part 2?
One minute. You are given paper and a pencil to make quick notes before you speak for one to two minutes.
Does my accent lower my score?
No. Pronunciation is scored on how clear and easy to understand you are, not on having a particular accent. A clear, accented voice can still reach a high band.
What is the fastest way to raise my Speaking band?
Find your weakest of the four criteria and focus on it. Practise out loud daily, record yourself, and get feedback on the exact sentences that lower your score.