The Speaking test and how it's marked (IELTS Speaking lesson)

Fourteen minutes, one quarter of your band

Speaking is the shortest section of IELTS, but it carries exactly the same weight as Listening, Reading and Writing: one quarter of your overall band. In 11–14 minutes an examiner decides how well you communicate in English, and they do it with a fixed, public marking scheme.

That is good news. Once you know what the examiner is listening for, you can stop guessing. Plenty of Bangladeshi candidates with good English still get 6.0, and often the reasons have little to do with grammar: one-line answers in Part 1, a memorised speech the examiner spots straight away, stopping after 50 seconds in Part 2, or freezing because they believe their accent is 'wrong'.

This lesson walks you through the test as it actually happens, explains the four criteria in practical terms and clears up the myths. By the end you will know what band 7 sounds like, and why.

The Speaking test at a glance

Part	Timing	What happens	What the examiner is checking
Part 1: Interview	4–5 minutes	The examiner introduces themselves, checks your identity, then asks questions on three familiar topics. The first topic is always your work or studies, your home town, or your home/accommodation. Expect about 10–12 short questions.	Can you talk naturally about everyday life, answer clearly and extend your answers with reasons and examples?
Part 2: Long turn	3–4 minutes in total	You receive a task card (the 'cue card'), a pencil and paper. You have 1 minute to prepare, then speak for 1–2 minutes. The examiner stops you at 2 minutes and may ask one or two short rounding-off questions.	Can you speak at length on your own, organise a talk and keep going without help?
Part 3: Discussion	4–5 minutes	A two-way discussion of broader, more abstract questions linked to the Part 2 topic: society, causes and effects, comparisons, the future.	Can you express and justify opinions, compare, speculate and handle abstract ideas?
Whole test	11–14 minutes	Face to face with one examiner (in some centres the examiner joins by live video call). The whole conversation is recorded.	Four criteria, each worth 25%: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, Pronunciation.

Test day, step by step

1
Before you go in
Speaking may be on the same day as Listening, Reading and Writing, or on a different day (often within about a week either side). Check your confirmation email. Bring the same ID document you used to register, which for most Bangladeshi candidates is the passport. Staff check your ID again before Speaking and may take your photo or fingerprint. Phones, watches and notes go into storage. You take nothing into the room.
2
Entering the room
You will find a small room, one examiner and a recording device. In centres that use Video Call Speaking, you sit in a test-centre room and the examiner appears on a screen. The questions, timing and marking are exactly the same. Greet the examiner naturally, sit comfortably and sit up straight. Breathe.
3
The recording starts
The examiner switches on the recorder and reads a short introduction for the recording (date, centre, candidate details). Then they introduce themselves, ask your full name, what they should call you, and ask to see your ID. These opening questions are not really 'tested', but answer clearly and calmly, because first impressions settle your nerves.
4
Part 1 (4–5 minutes)
'Now, in this first part, I'd like to ask you some questions about yourself.' The examiner reads questions from a booklet, three topics in all. If you speak for too long, they may say 'Thank you' and move on. This is normal: they have to fit every question into the time. It does not mean your answer was bad.
5
Part 2 (3–4 minutes)
The examiner hands you the cue card, paper and a pencil, and gives you one minute to prepare. Then you speak for up to two minutes. The examiner will stop you at two minutes, even mid-sentence. That is fine, and in fact it is the ideal outcome. They may then ask one or two quick rounding-off questions. Your notes are not marked, and the card and paper are collected.
6
Part 3 (4–5 minutes)
'We've been talking about… and I'd like to discuss with you one or two more general questions related to this.' Questions become abstract: why, how, should, will. The examiner has more freedom here. They choose follow-up questions, ask 'Why?', challenge your view and can rephrase a question you don't understand.
7
The end
'Thank you. That is the end of the speaking test.' Say thank you and leave. The examiner cannot tell you your score or comment on your performance. Your Speaking band appears on your Test Report Form with the other sections.

The four criteria: what they really mean

Your Speaking band comes from four criteria with equal weight. Learn them well, because every technique in this module improves at least one of them.

1. Fluency and Coherence (FC). Can you keep talking at a natural pace, without long silences, and does what you say make sense? Ideas should follow logically and be linked with words like because, so, although, that said, for example. Fluency is not speed. Pausing to think about ideas is natural; native speakers do it too. Pausing to search for a word or to fix grammar is what lowers this score.

2. Lexical Resource (LR). The range and precision of your vocabulary: topic words, natural collocations (heavy traffic, not big traffic), some less common and idiomatic expressions used correctly, and the ability to paraphrase when you don't know a word. It is not a contest for the longest words.

3. Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA). Two things at once: a mix of simple and complex sentences (relative clauses, conditionals, passives, a variety of tenses) and how many of your sentences are error-free. Range without accuracy, or accuracy with only simple sentences, both cap your score.

4. Pronunciation (P). How easy you are to understand: individual sounds, word stress, sentence stress, rhythm, intonation and grouping words into natural chunks. It is not about sounding British or American.

How the Speaking band is calculated

Each criterion receives a band, and the four are averaged. For example:

FC	LR	GRA	P	Speaking band
7	7	6	6	6.5
7	7	7	7	7.0
8	7	7	8	7.5

The lesson here: one weak criterion pulls everything down. A candidate who speaks smoothly but makes frequent basic grammar errors, or who uses excellent vocabulary with unclear pronunciation, rarely reaches 7.

Band 6 vs 7 vs 8 in plain English

Criterion	Band 6	Band 7	Band 8
Fluency and Coherence	Willing to speak at length, but sometimes loses the thread because of repetition, self-correction or hesitation. Uses linking words, though not always appropriately (e.g. a formal 'Moreover' in a chatty answer).	Speaks at length without noticeable effort. Some hesitation while searching for language and some repetition or self-correction, but the answer stays clear. Uses a range of linkers and discourse markers flexibly.	Speaks fluently with only occasional repetition or self-correction. Hesitation is mostly about what to say, rarely about how to say it. Topics are developed fully and logically.
Lexical Resource	Has enough vocabulary to discuss topics at length and make meaning clear, despite some wrong word choices. Paraphrases with mixed success.	Uses vocabulary flexibly across topics. Some less common and idiomatic items, some awareness of collocation and style, with occasional inappropriate choices. Paraphrases effectively.	A wide vocabulary used readily and precisely. Less common and idiomatic language is used skilfully, with only occasional slips.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy	A mix of simple and complex sentences, but with limited flexibility. Frequent errors in complex structures, although meaning is rarely unclear.	A range of complex structures used with some flexibility. Error-free sentences are frequent, though some mistakes persist.	A wide range of structures used flexibly. The majority of sentences are error-free, with only occasional slips.
Pronunciation	Generally understood throughout, but mispronounced words or sounds sometimes reduce clarity. Some good use of stress and intonation, but not sustained.	All the strengths of band 6 and some, but not all, of the strengths of band 8.	Easy to understand throughout. Flexible use of stress, rhythm and intonation with only occasional lapses. The first-language accent has minimal effect on intelligibility.

Same question, two bands: 'Do you like cooking?'

Band 5 answer

Yes, I like cooking. Cooking is very good hobby. I cook sometime in my home, I cook rice and egg. My mother is cook very well. So I like cooking.

Band 8 answer

Honestly, I'm not much of a cook, but I'm getting better. I only really started when I moved into a shared flat near my university and got tired of eating instant noodles every night. These days I can make a decent chicken bhuna, although I still have to phone my mother halfway through to ask how much turmeric to add!

**FC:** the band 5 answer repeats 'cooking' four times and is a list of short, disconnected sentences. The band 8 answer tells a tiny story with clear links (*but, when, although*). **LR:** 'not much of a cook', 'got tired of', 'a decent chicken bhuna', 'halfway through' are natural, precise and idiomatic. **GRA:** the band 5 answer has errors in almost every sentence ('is very good hobby', 'sometime', 'is cook'). The band 8 answer mixes the present continuous, past simple, a time clause and 'have to' accurately. Notice too that the band 8 speaker does **not** claim to love cooking. Honest, nuanced answers are often more interesting, and the examiner marks your English, not your hobbies.

Listen: the band 8 answers ('Do you like cooking?' and 'Do you prefer mornings or evenings?')

00:0000:39

Check your understanding

6 questions

1
How long does the whole Speaking test last?
2
Match each stage of the test to what happens in it.
Part 1
Part 2 preparation
Part 2 long turn
Part 3
3
In Part 1 you are halfway through a sentence when the examiner says 'Thank you' and asks the next question. What does this most likely mean?
4
Your criteria scores are FC 7, LR 7, GRA 6 and P 6. Your Speaking band is .
5
Which TWO things is the examiner NOT allowed to do?
Select 2.
6
Which answer best shows strong Lexical Resource?

Answer every question to check.

Myths that cost marks

Myth	Reality	What to do
'I need a British or American accent.'	Pronunciation is marked on how easy you are to understand, not on which accent you have. At band 8 the first-language accent has only a minimal effect on intelligibility. A clear Bangladeshi accent can score highly; a forced 'foreign' accent often makes you less clear.	Work on clear individual sounds, word stress, sentence stress and not dropping word endings. Don't imitate an accent.
'My answers must be true.'	The examiner assesses your language, not the truth of your content. Nobody checks whether you really visited Cox's Bazar or really love cricket.	Use real experiences when you can, because they are easier to describe. If your honest answer is 'nothing', borrow or invent a story rather than freezing.
'If I don't understand, I should just guess.'	You may ask for the question again. In Part 1 the examiner can repeat it; in Part 3 they can also rephrase or explain.	Say 'Sorry, could you repeat the question, please?' Answering a question you misheard wastes the turn.
'In Part 1 the examiner will explain difficult words.'	In Part 1 the examiner can only repeat the question. They cannot explain or reword it.	Give your best interpretation: 'If you mean …, then I'd say …'.
'Long, rare words get band 8.'	Precision and natural collocation matter more than rare words. 'Inclement meteorological conditions' for 'bad weather' sounds odd.	Learn topic collocations and idiomatic phrases that you can use correctly and naturally.
'Fast speaking means fluent speaking.'	Fluency means speaking smoothly, at a natural pace, with logical links. Rushing produces errors and swallowed word endings.	Speak at a steady pace. Pause at the end of an idea, not in the middle of a phrase.
'Mistakes ruin my score.'	Even band 8 allows occasional errors. Stopping, apologising and restarting hurts fluency far more than the mistake itself.	Self-correct quickly if you notice ('he go… he went'), then keep going.
'The examiner's face shows how I'm doing.'	Examiners are trained to look neutral. A serious face is not a bad sign, and a smile is not a good one.	Ignore it. Focus on the question.

বাংলায় মূল কথা

Pronunciation-এ British বা American accent লাগে না; দরকার স্পষ্টতা (intelligibility)। আপনার উত্তর সত্যি কিনা পরীক্ষক যাচাই করেন না, শুধু আপনার ইংরেজি মূল্যায়ন করেন। Part 1-এ প্রশ্ন বুঝতে না পারলে 'Could you repeat the question, please?' বলুন, তবে শব্দের মানে জিজ্ঞেস করলে পরীক্ষক ব্যাখ্যা করতে পারবেন না; Part 3-এ তিনি প্রশ্নটি অন্যভাবে বুঝিয়ে বলতে পারেন। আর মুখস্থ উত্তর দেবেন না, পরীক্ষকরা সহজেই তা ধরে ফেলেন।

What to say when you need help

You want to…	Say this	Where it works
Hear the question again	'Sorry, could you repeat the question, please?' / 'Sorry, I didn't quite catch that.'	Parts 1 and 3. Do it once, not after every question.
Check what the question means	'Do you mean …?' / 'Sorry, what do you mean by …?'	Part 3. In Part 1 the examiner can only repeat, not explain.
Deal with a word you don't know (Part 1)	'I'm not completely sure what you mean by that, but if you mean …, then …'	Part 1, when repetition hasn't helped.
Buy two or three seconds to think	'That's an interesting question. Let me think…' / 'I've never really thought about that, but…'	Mostly Part 3. Use it once or twice, not as a habit.
Correct yourself	'Sorry, I mean…' / '…or rather…'	Any part. Keep it quick and move on.
Answer when you have no experience	'To be honest, I've never …, but I imagine…'	Any part. It is a full, valid answer.

Behaviour that helps your band

1
Talk to the examiner, not to the table
Make normal eye contact and speak at a comfortable volume. The recording has to pick you up clearly, and mumbling into your chest makes your pronunciation sound worse than it is.
2
Answer the question that was asked
Your first sentence should answer the question directly. Swerving to a topic you prepared ('Do you like rain?' → a speech about your favourite season) sounds memorised and weakens coherence.
3
Extend, but don't lecture
Part 1: two to four sentences. Part 2: keep going until the examiner stops you. Part 3: a full answer with an opinion, a reason and an example, usually four to six sentences.
4
Keep going after a mistake
A quick self-correction ('I go… I went there last year') shows control. A long stop, an apology or 'sorry, sorry, let me start again' damages fluency.
5
Don't ask for feedback
Questions like 'Is that okay?' or 'Should I say more?' cannot be answered by the examiner and make you sound unsure. Trust your timing instead.
6
Show range naturally
Questions about the past, the present and the future give you natural chances to vary tenses. Use comparisons, conditionals ('If I had more time, I'd…') and relative clauses where they fit, never forced.
7
Don't apologise for your English
'Sorry, my English is not very good' wastes time, draws attention to weaknesses and starts the test on a negative note. Just begin.

Speaking Part 1 practice

5 questions · up to 45s each

Do you work, or are you a student?

Listen to the question, then record your answer.

Tips for a band 7+ answer

• Treat this as a real test: answer each question as soon as you have read it, with no preparation time.
• Aim for two to four sentences: a direct answer, then a reason, then an example or detail.
• If you make a mistake, correct it quickly and keep going. Don't restart the whole answer.
• Afterwards, read your transcript. If the speech recogniser misheard a word, check its pronunciation: word stress and final consonants are the usual culprits.
• Self-check against the four criteria: Did I keep talking smoothly (FC)? Did I use at least one precise phrase (LR)? Did I use more than one tense (GRA)? Was I easy to understand (P)?

Final quiz: the Speaking test and its marking

10 questions

1
In Part 1, you can ask the examiner to explain the meaning of a word in the question.
2
A noticeable Bangladeshi accent automatically limits you to band 6 for Pronunciation.
3
If you describe an imaginary trip in Part 2, the examiner will lower your score.
4
In Part 1 you didn't hear the end of the question because of noise outside. What is the best response?
5
Put these stages of the Speaking test in the order they happen.
Drag the cards (or use the arrows) into the correct order.
- 1Questions about your work, studies, home town or accommodation
- 2One minute of preparation with the cue card
- 3A discussion of abstract questions linked to the cue card
- 4Up to two minutes of speaking on the cue card topic
- 5One or two short rounding-off questions
- 6The examiner asks your name and checks your ID on the recording
6
Match each piece of evidence to the criterion it mainly affects.
Fluency and Coherence
Lexical Resource
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Pronunciation
7
Find and correct the mistake:
Cooking is very good hobby for me.
8
Which THREE behaviours help your score?
Select 3.
9
Rafi often stops mid-sentence for several seconds to search for the right word or fix his grammar. Which criterion does this affect most directly?
10
In Part 2 you have one minute to prepare, then you speak for up to minutes.

Answer every question to check.

Key takeaways

Words for understanding the marking

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fluency

noun/ˈfluːənsi/

The ability to speak smoothly and continuously at a natural pace, without frequent pauses to search for words.

সাবলীলতা

Her fluency improved once she stopped translating every sentence from Bangla in her head.

coherent

adjective/kəʊˈhɪərənt/

Logical and well organised, so that ideas connect clearly and are easy to follow.

সুসংগত, যুক্তিসঙ্গতভাবে সাজানো

His answer was coherent: he gave his opinion, explained why, and finished with a clear example.

intelligible

adjective/ɪnˈtelɪdʒəbl/

Able to be understood easily; clear enough for the listener to follow.

বোধগম্য

You don't need a British accent; you need to be intelligible to an international listener.

collocation

noun/ˌkɒləˈkeɪʃn/

A combination of words that are naturally used together, such as 'heavy traffic' or 'make a decision'.

স্বাভাবিকভাবে একসাথে ব্যবহৃত শব্দজোট

'Strong tea' is a natural collocation, but 'powerful tea' sounds strange.

hesitation

noun/ˌhezɪˈteɪʃn/

A pause before or while speaking, often because you are unsure what to say or how to say it.

দ্বিধা, ইতস্তত ভাব

A little hesitation while thinking of ideas is natural, but long pauses to find words lower your fluency score.

rehearsed

adjective/rɪˈhɜːst/

Practised in advance and repeated from memory, so it sounds prepared rather than natural.

আগে থেকে মহড়া দেওয়া, মুখস্থ

The examiner could tell the answer was rehearsed because it didn't match the question.

spontaneous

adjective/spɒnˈteɪniəs/

Said or done naturally, at the moment, without being planned.

স্বতঃস্ফূর্ত

Examiners reward spontaneous answers that respond to the actual question.

The four criteria: what they really mean

How the Speaking band is calculated

Keep your progress