IELTS Speaking is an 11 to 14 minute face-to-face conversation with an examiner. It is the same for Academic and General Training, and even on computer-delivered IELTS the Speaking test is taken with a live examiner. The conversation is recorded, but a person marks it, not software.
This guide covers each part of the test, what the examiner listens for and where candidates from Uzbekistan most often lose marks.
How the test is built
| Part | Length | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | 4-5 minutes | Short questions about you, your home, study or work, and your interests |
| Part 2 | 3-4 minutes | The cue card: 1 minute to prepare, then 1-2 minutes speaking alone |
| Part 3 | 4-5 minutes | A discussion of broader, more abstract questions linked to Part 2 |
Part 1: the introduction
The examiner introduces themselves, checks your name and ID, then asks about two or three familiar topics. Two to four sentences per answer is enough: a direct answer, then a reason or an example. More: the Part 1 guide.
Part 2: the long turn
You get a card that starts "Describe a..." with three or four prompts. You have paper, a pencil and one minute for notes. Then you speak until the examiner stops you, usually at two minutes. More: the Part 2 guide.
Part 3: the discussion
The questions move from your own experience to society: "Why do people...", "How might this change in the future...". This is where explaining, comparing and speculating are tested. More: the Part 3 guide.
What the examiner listens for
Four criteria, each worth a quarter of the band:
- Fluency and Coherence: speaking at length without unnatural pauses, and linking ideas clearly.
- Lexical Resource: the range of your vocabulary and how precisely you use it.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: the variety and correctness of your grammar.
- Pronunciation: being easy to understand, with natural stress and intonation.
What each criterion means and how to move from 6 to 7 is explained in the marking criteria.
On the day
- Speaking can be on the same day as the other papers or up to 7 days before or after them. The test centre gives you the time.
- Bring the ID you registered with. The examiner checks it.
- It is just you and the examiner in the room, and the conversation is recorded.
- If you do not understand a question, ask: "Could you repeat the question, please?". It does not cost you marks.
How the band is given
Your Speaking result is from 0 to 9 in half bands, from the four criterion scores. Your overall IELTS band is the average of the four skills; you can work it out with the IELTS band score calculator.
Reading is not enough: speak
In IELTS Buddy an AI examiner talks to you as in the real test and gives an estimated band on all 4 criteria. 3 mock tests are free.
How to prepare
- Speak out loud every day. Reading and listening do not raise your Speaking on their own. Record your answers and listen back.
- Avoid memorised answers. Examiners notice them at once, and they hurt your Fluency score.
- Practise with a timer. Talking for two minutes without stopping in Part 2 takes practice.
- Know your mistakes. Speakers of Uzbek and Russian share typical ones: articles, tenses, the "th" sound. The list: common IELTS Speaking mistakes.
- Make a plan. For a month of preparation: the 30-day plan.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the IELTS Speaking test?
Between 11 and 14 minutes. Parts 1 and 3 take 4-5 minutes each, and Part 2 takes 3-4 minutes including the minute of preparation.
Is Speaking different in Academic and General Training?
No. The Speaking test is the same for both modules: the same format and the same criteria.
What if I do not understand a question?
Ask the examiner to repeat it. In Part 1 they repeat the question; in Part 3 they may rephrase it. It does not affect your score.
Reading is not enough: speak
In IELTS Buddy an AI examiner talks to you as in the real test and gives an estimated band on all 4 criteria. 3 mock tests are free.
