IELTS Speaking
IELTS Speaking Overview
IELTS Speaking is an 11–14 minute face-to-face interview with a certified examiner, in three parts. This lesson explains the structure and the four things you are scored on.
The three parts
| Part | What happens | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | Introduction and familiar questions (home, work, hobbies) | 4–5 min |
| Part 2 | Long turn — speak for 1–2 min on a cue card | 3–4 min (incl. 1 min prep) |
| Part 3 | Discussion of abstract ideas linked to Part 2 | 4–5 min |
The four marking criteria (25% each)
- Fluency & Coherence — speaking smoothly and logically without long pauses.
- Lexical Resource — range and accuracy of vocabulary.
- Grammatical Range & Accuracy — varied, correct sentence structures.
- Pronunciation — being clearly understood, with natural stress and intonation.
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The examiner is not testing your opinions or knowledge — only your English. There are no "right" answers, so say whatever lets you speak most fluently and accurately.
Test yourself with our free IELTS practice questions and instant scoring.
Take test →Frequently Asked Questions
Is IELTS Speaking with a real person?+
Yes. In both paper and computer-delivered IELTS, Speaking is a face-to-face interview with a certified human examiner.
How long is the IELTS Speaking test?+
It lasts 11–14 minutes across three parts and is recorded for quality and re-marking purposes.