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Speaking Exam and Practice

Do I have to address all of the bullet points on the Speaking Part 2 cue card?

In short, no. You definitely have to talk about the topic you've been given, but you do not have to cover all of the bullet points. You also do not have to limit yourself to the bullet points on the…

Updated by Michelle Shiels

How long can I think before answering the question in Part 3 of the Speaking test?

The examiner knows that you will probably never have come across these questions before (in fact, they are designed this way) and that you are not a robot. Thinking before you speak does not affect y…

Updated by Michelle Shiels

How can I improve my pronunciation of certain difficult sounds?

You might struggle to pronounce certain sounds correctly in English, especially if you don't have these sounds in your first language. Some common examples are: the 'th' sound. the /w/ and /v/ sound.…

Updated by Michelle Shiels

Where can I watch a model mock speaking test?

There are a series of recorded mock speaking tests in the Bonus section of your Speaking Academy course. You can use these mock speaking tests to get an idea of what to expect and to listen to some m…

Updated by Michelle Shiels

Speaking - Part 2 - strategy

In Part 2, you are given a cue card with a topic and some bullet points. You can follow those bullet points if you wish, as long as you are talking relevantly for up to 2 minutes; however, if you fol…

Updated by Damien Burton

What is signposting language?

' Signposting ' is how a speaker tells a listener what they're going to talk about next, using certain expressions (or 'cohesive devices'). For instance, if someone wants to give their opinion, they…

Updated by Jennifer Gietzmann

How can I speak about unfamiliar topics?

This is a common concern for many IELTS students. The difficulty can stem from a lack of ideas, a lack of vocabulary, or a combination of both. It is impossible to guess what topic you'll be given in…

Updated

Will the examiner take notes during the IELTS exam?

Yes. The examiner has to write the times for the different stages of the exam in order to make sure that all candidates are given the right amount of time for the different stages of the exam. This m…

Updated

What happens if I can't keep talking for 2 minutes in Part 2?

If you stop talking before the 2 minutes are up, the examiner will sit and wait for you to continue. If don't start talking again, the examiner will make a hand gesture for you to continue. If you st…

Updated by Michelle Shiels

Are there any "common topics" in the Speaking test?

There is no such thing as a list of "common topics" that you might get a Speaking test. In other words, the exam writers are constantly thinking of new topics to use to make questions for the Speakin…

Updated by Michelle Shiels

How can I stop making grammar and vocabulary mistakes when speaking?

First, identify the root cause of the mistake. You don't know what is correct. You know what is correct, but you accidentally say it wrong. Next, work on improving it. if you don't know what is corre…

Updated by Michelle Shiels

How can I deal with nervousness in a Speaking test?

A little bit of stress tends to improve performance, but too much can definitely cause you to do worse. Here are some ideas for dealing with stress in a Speaking test: Prepare to be nervous. It does…

Updated by Michelle Shiels

What happens if the time runs out during my speaking test? Will this affect my scores?

In part 1 and part 3, the examiner is trained to interrupt you if they think your answers are too long and feel that they won't be able to ask all the questions they need to ask you. Therefore, this…

Updated by Phill Burns

How can I learn what my key mistakes are in Speaking?

The only way to learn what mistakes are causing you to fail is to get feedback from an IELTS expert. A good English teacher can help you correct your mistakes with grammar and vocabulary, but only an…

Updated by Michelle Shiels

How can I improve my pronunciation?

There are a few things you can do. First, you need to identify the areas of pronunciation that you are weakest in. The best way to do this is by having a mock speaking test. During your feedback, you…

Updated

How long should my answers be in Part 1?

The strategy for answering Part 1 questions is: 1. Answer the question directly 2. Develop your answer with one detail, 2 at the most. The examiner will not count your sentences, but a good rule of t…

Updated by Michelle Shiels

How can I use my one minute of preparation time for Speaking Part 2 as effectively as possible?

It's essential that students use their 1 minute of preparation time for Speaking Part 2 wisely, simply because if they do, they'll never have to worry about not being able to speak about any given to…

Updated by Jason Bowman

Is it mandatory to give an example for all speaking part 3 answers?

It is not compulsory that you give an example for each part 3 response. However, it is necessary that you develop all your responses for this part of the test. All answers should directly answer the…

Updated by Phill Burns

How long should be Speaking Part 3 answers be?

There is no set number of sentences or number of seconds the examiner is looking for. However, about 45 seconds is a good rule of thumb. If you're able to produce the language you need automatically…

Updated by Michelle Shiels

I'm taking the computer-delivered IELTS test. How does the Speaking part work?

The Speaking test is still done face-to-face, even if you are taking the computer-delivered IELTS test. All other parts are done on a computer. Here is some more information about the computer-delive…

Updated by Michelle Shiels

Why does an examiner ask, "Why/Why not?" in Speaking Part 1, and how should I answer?

It's not unusual at all for an examiner to ask a candidate, "Why/Why not?" at the conclusion of a response, and it's generally for one of three possible reasons: The initial response was a bit on the…

Updated by Jason Bowman

How many questions are there in each part of the Speaking test?

Part 1 (4-5 minutes) 3 topics x 4 questions for each topic Part 2 (1 minute planning, 2 minutes to speak) 1 cue card 1 follow up question Part 3 (4-5 minutes) 4-6 questions * Note: the examiner may a…

Updated by Michelle Shiels

What happens in a mock speaking test?

After you finish the Speaking Academy course, you can book a mock speaking test. You will have a 30 minute 1-on-1 session with a teacher, and your mock speaking test is divided into two parts: the te…

Updated by Michelle Shiels

What questions can I ask the examiner during the Speaking test?

You can ask the following kinds of questions. Asking these questions will not affect your score. In Part 1 and Part 2: 1. You can ask what a word means. ( What does XXX mean? ) 2. You can ask the exa…

Updated by Michelle Shiels

Where can I find practice speaking questions?

You'll find this in the bonus section of the course. 1. Login 2. Select the Speaking Course 3. Scroll down to the VIP Bonuses 4.The practice questions can be found here: You will find the PDFs here:

Updated by Phill Burns

Why do examiners interrupt candidates in the Speaking test?

It is the examiner's job to manage the time in an IELTS test. Part 1 must take 4-5 minutes. The examiner will ask you about 3 different topics, and 4 questions about each topic. If the examiner think…

Updated by Michelle Shiels

Will more mock speaking tests help me improve my speaking?

Many students mistakenly believed that doing more mock speaking tests will improve their fluency, or their pronunciation, or their vocabulary or their grammar. It won't. A mock speaking test is only…

Updated by Michelle Shiels

Do I need to cover all the bullet points in Speaking Part 2

In Part 2, you are given a cue card with a topic and some bullet points. You can follow those bullet points if you wish, as long as you are talking relevantly for up to 2 minutes; however, if you fol…

Updated by Phill Burns

What happens if I go off topic in the speaking exam?

Firstly, remember your score is based on all of your test, so don't worry if you had issues with just one question. Going off topic will really depend on the examiner's perception of the situation. I…

Updated by Phill Burns

Do I have to give an example for every question in part 3 of the speaking test?

No, you do not have to have an example for every single question in part 3 of the speaking test. Examples are a means to extend answers. It's also possible to extend your answer by talking about a re…

Updated

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