IELTS Speaking Test: Everything You Need to Know

You will find the complete details on how the IELTS Speaking test is marked, check our comprehensive guide on the IELTS Band Scoring System.

• People you know – your family, friends, neighbors, workmates
• Places you know – your country, school, company 
• Things you like – your tastes in food, music, movies, and art
• Things you do – your profession, studies, interests, and routines 

‘Do you’ Questions 

Your first question will almost always be broad, and it will be about your interests, habits, or preferences:

Simple present tense verbs can answer questions like these but simply does not imply short. Expand your responses with justifications, examples, and comparisons:

"I do go to concerts from time to time. I love music, and I listen to them all the time. However, the pandemic has limited the concerts being held these days, and now, I just watch videos posted on YouTube." 

"I live with my brother, and our work is in the same area, so he drops me off every morning before going to his office. However, he doesn’t work on weekends, but I do, so I take the bus on those days."  

"I am a sports buff; I love physical activities. Every Friday afternoon, I meet my friends, and we play basketball. We usually play for 2-3 hours. But that doesn’t stop there. If we are not that busy at work, we also hang out every Saturday afternoon to kickbox. It’s one of my hobbies."  

"I love movies, and I watch them all the time. May it be action, thriller, comedy, and drama. I like them all. I don’t watch them at the cinemas like I used to, because of the pandemic. I now watch movies online via different platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime."

‘Have you’ Questions 

The examiner will frequently ask a question that redirects the focus of the conversation to the past and changes that have taken place over time:

When you add time-related phrases like ‘always’, ‘ever’, or ‘over the years’, verbs move from the simple to the present perfect. This type of question determines your ability to switch between past and present tenses and use time-related phrases. 

"I used to feel indifferent about art. But a friend introduced me to different kinds of arts, and I have been collecting pieces of art ever since. One time, she brought me to this exhibit, and would you believe I went home with two antique paintings. Those paintings have been hanging in my living room for three years now." 

"I have always loved traveling. I do it whenever I get the chance. Nevertheless, traveling alone is something I rarely do. Three years ago, I was supposed to go with my sister to Bali, in Indonesia, and she had sudden work to do, so I went alone. I had a blast, and I have traveled alone to three other cities after that." 

"As far as I recall, only once. It was a book given by my brother. He gave it to me and asked me to read it because everyone I know has read it. It was a good book; however, the plot didn’t appeal to me, so I had to stop reading it." 

‘Would you’ Questions 

The examiner might also ask you at least one question about hypothetical or future scenarios.

These questions aim to see how well you can construct conditional statements, which can be as basic as using ‘I’d like to’. 

On the other hand, this type of question provides an opportunity to improve your score by using a well-crafted ‘if/then’ conditional.

"If I had the resources, I would like to go to India. I would love to try the food and visit the Taj Mahal. I have been planning to go there with friends, but we had to put it off because of the pandemic."  

"I would most likely choose to learn how to play the violin. I have always looked up to and admired people who know how to play it. If I ever have the time, it would be something I would be interested in."  

"Meeting Elon Musk would be huge for me. He is one of those people I admire, from his humble beginnings and now being one of the wealthiest people in the world. I would ask him how he was able to accomplish so much." 

DOs:

• Join public speaking events. It will be of great help not just for your English but for your confidence as well. 

• Watch English movies and imitate their expressions. Observe their intonations when they talk. 

• Record yourself and listen to how confident you sound. Check if your pronunciation needs improvement. 

• Find an English-speaking conversation partner or a tutor to boost your confidence. Apply what you will learn from them in your daily conversations. 

• Converse in English with your friends, family members, and workmates before you take the test. Practice as often as you can, with all the people you can. 

• Use technology. Some various apps and programs are just a click away. 

DON’Ts:

• Don’t force yourself to learn everything at once. English-speaking is a skill that needs to be developed gradually. 

• Don’t use words and phrases you are not comfortable and confident with. This will affect the coherence of your sentences. 

• Don’t utilize everything you find on the internet. Learn how to filter them and select only those from reliable sources. 

• Don’t worry about your IELTS speaking test. The examiner is grading you on how well you can express your point of view rather than on the answers you supply.

Fluency

• Read out loud: Reading in the head doesn’t exercise your vocal organs. Reading out loud does. It exercises the same vocal organs that you exert when speaking to someone. Fundamentally, that’s the main reason reading out loud improves your fluency. You have to talk to be better at communicating. 

• Think in English: It takes less time to produce or answer in regular discussions if you already think in English. There is no need to translate. Keeping a notebook in which you describe your daily ideas in English is an excellent method to begin rethinking. It does not have to be perfect; the goal is to get your thoughts out in English with as little effort as possible.

Grammar

• Proofread out loud: Our brain completes the gaps of missing information when we re-read pieces we have written. When we proofread, we do not always spot our errors. Reading what you have written out loud, preferably to someone else, is an excellent approach to check whether you have used proper grammar. When you read the information aloud rather than silently to yourself, you are more likely to discover your mistakes.

• Get a grammar manual: While practicing, it is helpful to have a comprehensive reference book nearby. This way, if you have a grammar question, you can quickly look up the answer in the manual. There are numerous high-quality grammar reference books available. 

Vocabulary 

• Learn new words daily: This is an excellent method to expand your vocabulary. Set a reasonable goal for yourself, whether it is three or six words per day. It is worth trying even one new word per day. After a year, you will have learned 365 new English words by learning one new word every day. Depending on your daily routine, news, songs, and TV shows are excellent sources for learning new terms. If you want to listen to music, take note of the lyrics and jot down any unfamiliar words.

• Learn words in phrases: Advantageously, you learn words in groupings. ‘A glass of wine’, ‘a pint of beer’, ‘a cup of tea’, ‘a pot of coffee’, are examples of beverage terms. It is preferable to master those terms than only ‘wine’, ‘beer’, ‘tea’, and other beverages. Learning words that are related can also be beneficial. During a lunar month, the moon goes through four phases: crescent, gibbon, waxing, and waning. Learning all four terms at the same time is more efficient.

Pronunciation

• Use online dictionaries: Use the little speaker symbol in online dictionaries to check the pronunciation of any term you are unsure about. This will ensure that you are pronouncing the words like native speakers will. 

• Watch English videos and listen to podcasts: May it be movies, television series, or YouTube videos, watch them as frequently as you can. We tend to imitate what we hear if we listen to them all the time. 

• Try tongue-twisters : Although it is not the usual sample of your daily conversation, it demonstrates the richness of spoken English. Aside from that, you will have a good laugh.

Before the Test

• Sleep and eat well a day before your IELTS test: Ensure that you are well-rested and have eaten well. This is to keep your focus during the test.

• Get everything you need ready: You will need your ID on the day of the test. This ID should be the same ID that you used when you registered. 

• Know the location: Before taking the test, make it a point that you know where the testing center is. Have an idea of the flow of traffic in that area. Do not be late. 

Note that the IELTS Speaking test is held at a different date and location than the other three tests. Double-check these details.

During the Test

• Be the one to greet the examiner first: Introduce and greet the examiner the moment you arrive at the testing room. Extend a warm smile and let the examiner know you are ready and prepared. 

• Speak naturally: Some candidates make the mistake of imitating the accent of native English speakers. While there is simply nothing wrong with that, it is pretty noting that not speaking the way you naturally do on the day of your IELTS speaking test might make it difficult for you to express and convey your responses better. 

• Ask questions to the examiner: There is nothing wrong with requesting the examiner to repeat the question if you do not understand it. If you have any doubts about the question, you can ask the examiner to repeat it. You will not be deducted marks for asking questions.

• Use ‘emotions’: While taking the IELTS speaking test, select your words carefully. Bring in emotions wherever necessary. Try to be like a native English speaker.

• Expand your responses: If the examiner asks you to speak about a subject, do not answer in a single sentence. Make an effort to cover the entire topic and elaborate your responses. 

• Think before you answer: Formulate your thoughts first before answering the questions of the examiner. It is okay not to answer them right away. It is better to think first rather than respond too quickly and realize you are giving the wrong responses. 

• Don’t freak out if mistakes happen: Do not be alarmed if you make a mistake while speaking. Instead, make an effort to fix the error. You will not be deducted marks if your thought process is good.

• Stay on topic: It is indeed essential to be informative without diverting from the topic. Stick to the subject and speak for it. Not staying on the topic will give the examiner a negative impression.

After the Test

• Relax: At this point, we know you have worked so hard. It is now time to give yourself a break. Relax and unwind. Treat yourself. Watch a movie, eat at your favorite restaurant, or go shopping. 

• Accept the result positively: Wait patiently for the result, and whatever it will be, take it with a good attitude. Prepare and plan for what comes next if you achieve your goal band score. If not, it is okay. You can retake it whenever you feel like you are ready. Some candidates have taken it twice, and even thrice too. 

For a thorough and comprehensive guide on how to prepare for the entire IELTS test, check out our comprehensive IELTS preparation guide.