IELTS Academic Format Speaking

Speak Fluently, Score Higher in IELTS Speaking!

Reading Module

Listening Module

Writing Module

About the IELTS Academic Speaking Format

The IELTS Speaking test is conducted as a face-to-face interview between an examiner and a candidate. Its duration is 11-14 minutes. This test is conducted to assess the candidate’s ability to communicate effectively in English. The session is recorded by the examiner to ensure transparency, and to reassess if the candidate wants so after receiving the test results. The IELTS Speaking test is intended to evaluate your fluency and coherence, vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar.

The IELTS Speaking test format consists of three different parts, each with its own approach and type of questionand engage in complex discussions. You can practice regularly with IELTS Speaking topics ans. The first part is a kind of warm-up practice, which involves an ID verification process followed by an interview on general and daily topics. When the test progresses towards other parts, the candidate needs to demonstrate their ability to speak at length, organize ideas, d self-recording to enhance your performance and achieve success in the speaking module.

Overview of IELTS Academic Speaking

Time allowed

11-14 minutes

Number of parts

3 Parts

Marking Criteria

Your score in the IELTS speaking test is evaluated based on your performance. A designated certified IELTS examiner evaluates the marking. Here are the factors on which examiners base their mark of the candidate's performance in the Speaking test.

Fluency and Coherence

This criterion evaluates how smoothly and naturally you speak, without excessive pauses or hesitation. It also assesses how well you organize your ideas, structure your sentences logically, and use cohesive devices (such as linking words and pronouns) to make your speech easy to follow.

Lexical Resource

This looks at how wide and exact your vocabulary is, and how effectively you use it to communicate ideas. It also considers your mastery in using different words or terms when you don’t know the exact term.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

This evaluates how well you use a variety of grammatical structures and how perfectly and appropriately you apply them in your speech.

Pronunciation

This measures how absolutely you speak and how smoothly others can understand you without needing extra action.

Tasks in IELTS Academic Speaking

The IELTS academic speaking test consists of three parts: Introduction and Interview, Individual Long Turn, and Two-way Discussion. Each section asks different types of questions on different topics. You should familiarize yourself with the test pattern and practice regularly to score high on the speaking test. Let us discuss each part in detail.

Part 1 – Introduction and Interview

What's involved?

The IELTS speaking part 1 is the introduction and interview section of the test. In this part, you will be greeted by the examiner, and he (or she) will verify your identity by asking for your passport or ID. They then engage you in short conversations on two or three familiar topics. Depending on how detailed your answers are, you need to respond to 6-10 questions in total. The topics covered in Part 1 are

Personal details: Like name, background, and hometown
Daily life and routine: Interests, hobbies, and leisure activities.
Work or education: Your professional studies and career goals.
General experience: Friends, travel, and favorite things

This part helps you to understand the basic introduction of the test and allows the examiner to evaluate your skills to speak naturally on everyday subjects. Part 1 is 4–5 minutes long.

What skills are tested?

This part of the speaking test analyzes your skills to give information and opinions on everyday topics. It also tests your ability to speak on common experiences or situations stated in questions.

Part 2 – Long Turn

What's involved?

In this part, the examiner gives you a task card that consists of a specific topic and a list of points you should cover in your speech. You get 1 minute to prepare to talk on the topic and make notes with a pencil and paper. After preparation, you are allowed to speak on the topic for 1-2 minutes without disruptions. Once you finish speaking, the examiner may sometimes ask you some short follow-up questions to end the section.

The cue card you get from the examiner consists of a single topic with prompts. For example, you may be asked to speak on your favourite book with prompts like when you read it, why you liked it, who recommended this book, and what you liked most about the book.

Part 2 takes about 3 to 4 minutes, including one minute for preparation.

What skills are tested?

Part 2 tests your skills to speak at length on given topics, by using the right language and organising your ideas. It also analyzes your own experience to complete a long turn in this part.

Part 3 – Discussion

What's involved?

This part involves a follow-up discussion between the examiner and the test taker based on the topic used in part two. The questions in this part are more analytical and abstract in nature. The questions are designed to make you express opinions, justify ideas, make comparisons, provide solutions to problems, predict possible situations, and explore broader perspectives.

Part 3 takes approximately 4 to 5 minutes.

What skills are tested?

Part 3: Evaluate your skills to explain opinions. It also tests how you analyze topics and discuss issues.

Ready to Start

General Tips for Speaking Format in IELTS Academic

Here are the top best IELTS Speaking Tips you should follow to master this module

Speak English every day

You should practice daily to improve your English-speaking skills. You can also enroll in a weekly IELTS class at AlfaIELTS to excel in speaking tests.

Don't hesitate to ask questions again

The IELTS Speaking test is like an everyday conversation between two people. So, if you don’t understand a word, just ask the examiner to explain what it means. You can also ask them to repeat a question.

Do a 24-hour English warm-up

Most IELTS students want 10-15 minutes to ‘warm up’, much like an athlete. So it’s good to prepare before your IELTS test. Why not speak, write, read, and listen to English for 24 hours before your IELTS Speaking test? It will make a large difference for your high score.

Give complete answers

You need to show the examiner how precise your English is by giving complete answers. So, where possible, you should expand your solutions with relevant reasons and examples. Avoid answering 'Yes' and 'No'; demonstrate your vocabulary and speaking skills.

Correct your mistakes

If you make a mistake, and people do that all the time, simply correct it. You'll show the examiner that you do know your grammar and vocabulary. Just repeat the sentence successfully and correct your mistakes to score high in the speaking module.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the time of the IELTS academic speaking test?

The duration of the IELTS academic speaking test is 11-14 minutes.

How are your speaking skills evaluated in the IELTS speaking test?

Your speaking skills are tested in three different parts. In the first part, you must have a basic background conversation. In the second and third parts, you should speak and discuss the topics provided by the examiner.

When does the IELTS speaking test take place?

The IELTS speaking module test is conducted seven days before or after the other modules' test.

Is the IELTS academic speaking test the same as the general training IELTS test?

Yes, the speaking modules for both IELTS academic and IELTS general training are the same.

How to practice IELTS Speaking?

You should use a range of grammatical structures, avoid using uncommon and big words, don’t memorize answers, and practice properly for the IELTS speaking test.