IELTS Speaking Test - an overview

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The IELTS Speaking test is part of the 4 competencies measured

The IELTS speaking test is divided into three parts and lasts from 11 - 14 minutes.

The first part, 4 - 5 minutes long, involves personal questions. The examiner might ask you about your family, your studies, your hometown or your interests. 

In the second part, you will be given a card with a topic written on it. You will have one minute to prepare what you would like to say, and then about 2 minutes of speaking. The examiner might ask you one or two questions about your commentary. Most of the topics are about you and your life, focusing on family, art, books, film, etc.

The third part is a continuation of the second. You will be asked more questions and given more freedom to talk about your own ideas. This last part usually lasts 4 - 5 minutes.

Remember that the IELTS exam is scored by bands. Most universities and companies want to have a band 7 in speaking, meaning that the candidate can speak fluidly about a subject, but does not require the candidate to have a perfect accent or perfect grammar.

One hint: take a deep breath before speaking, and try to relax. It is never easy to be evaluated on one's level in a second language, but the examiner is not your enemy. She or he is simply there to assess how well you speak English.

Stay on Scott's English Success for tips on the speaking exam and sample exams!

For example, start here.