How Are You Assessed in the IELTS Speaking Exam?
How You Are Assessed in the IELTS Speaking Exam: Key Areas for Improvement
The IELTS Speaking test can be challenging, but understanding how you are assessed is the first step toward improving your score. The test is designed to evaluate how well you communicate in English, focusing on your ability to speak clearly, coherently, and with a range of vocabulary and grammar.
To help you understand what examiners are looking for, here’s a breakdown of the key areas from the official examiner’s speaking scoresheet. By focusing on these areas, you can target your practice and improve your overall band score.
1. Are the Answers an Appropriate Length for the Task?
Why It Matters: The examiner wants to see that you can provide detailed and well-developed answers, but without going off-topic. Short, undeveloped answers will make it difficult for you to demonstrate your language skills.
How to Improve:
Aim for answers that are neither too short nor too long. In Part 1, provide short but complete answers. In Part 2 (long turn), take full advantage of the time to speak for 1-2 minutes. For Part 3, offer more detailed explanations and examples aiming for around 3-4 sentences per question.
Practice expanding your answers by adding reasons, examples, and explanations.
Part 1 - 1-2 sentences
Part 2 - 2 mins
Part 3 - 3 - 4 sentences.
2. Does the Speaker Speak Too Slowly, Hesitate, Repeat, or Make Corrections?
Why It Matters: Speaking too slowly, hesitating frequently, or constantly correcting yourself can make you sound less confident and affect fluency.
How to Improve:
Work on improving your fluency by practicing with a timer. Try to speak continuously for 1-2 minutes on a variety of topics.
Avoid long pauses or overthinking. Instead, use natural fillers like "well," "you know," or "let me think" to buy yourself time without interrupting your flow.
Speak at a natural pace—not too fast, but confidently and smoothly.
3. Does the Speaker Use a Range of Cohesive Devices and Discourse Markers?
Why It Matters: Cohesive devices (such as "and," "but," "so") and discourse markers (like "however," "on the other hand," "for instance") help link ideas and make your speech more coherent.
How to Improve:
Use cohesive devices to link your sentences logically: "Firstly," "In addition," "On the other hand," etc.
Practice adding discourse markers when introducing new ideas or providing examples: "For example," "As a result," "In conclusion."
4. Does the Speaker Use a Range of Vocabulary (Everyday, Less Common, Colloquial Expressions)?
Why It Matters: Examiners look for variety in your vocabulary. Using a mix of everyday vocabulary, less common words, and even some colloquial expressions shows your flexibility with language.
How to Improve:
Study and practice using topic-specific vocabulary. For instance, if you're discussing health, use terms like "well-being," "fitness," and "nutritional habits."
Learn and incorporate less common vocabulary and expressions, but make sure you know how to use them correctly in context.
You can also sprinkle in some colloquial expressions for a more natural feel, especially in Part 1: "I'm really into," "That’s not my cup of tea."
5. Does the Speaker Use Vocabulary Appropriately (Word Form/Collocation)?
Why It Matters: Using the right word in the wrong form or in an unnatural combination (incorrect collocation) can lower your score. Collocations are word pairings that naturally go together (e.g., "make a decision," not "do a decision").
How to Improve:
Focus on using collocations correctly. Learn common verb-noun, adjective-noun, and verb-preposition combinations.
Pay attention to word forms (noun, verb, adjective) and use them correctly. For example, "success" is a noun, while "succeed" is the verb form.
6. Is the Speaker Able to Paraphrase?
Why It Matters: Paraphrasing shows your ability to express ideas in different ways, which demonstrates a higher level of vocabulary flexibility and language control.
How to Improve:
Practice rephrasing questions and answers. If you’re asked, "What do you do in your free time?" you could say, "I like to spend my leisure time..."
Paraphrasing helps when you’re stuck or want to avoid repeating yourself. Learn synonyms and alternative sentence structures.
7. Does the Speaker Use Simple Grammatical Forms With Control?
Why It Matters: You need to show that you can use basic grammar structures (like the present simple, past simple, etc.) accurately. Mistakes in simple grammar can affect your score.
How to Improve:
Practice using simple sentence structures (subject + verb + object) correctly.
Focus on controlling your use of tenses, subject-verb agreement, and word order.
Record yourself speaking and check for mistakes in basic grammar.
8. Does the Speaker Use Complex Structures? Are They Used Accurately?
Why It Matters: The IELTS examiner is looking for a range of grammatical structures. Using complex sentences (with subordinating clauses, conditionals, etc.) correctly will demonstrate your advanced grammar skills.
How to Improve:
Include complex sentences in your answers. Use connectors like because, although, while, if, etc.: "Although I enjoy watching TV, I prefer reading books."
Practice using a mix of simple and complex structures for more natural speech.
Ensure your complex sentences are accurate and do not contain too many errors.
9. Can the Speaker Be Generally Understood?
Why It Matters: Clarity is essential in IELTS Speaking. Even if your grammar and vocabulary are good, the examiner needs to understand you clearly.
How to Improve:
Speak clearly and focus on articulation. Make sure your pronunciation doesn’t hinder understanding.
Slow down if needed, but avoid hesitating too much.
10. Are Individual Sounds Clear? Are They Correctly Produced?
Why It Matters: The pronunciation of individual sounds plays a role in how well you can be understood. If certain sounds are mispronounced, it may affect your score.
How to Improve:
Work on common pronunciation challenges like the "th" sound in "think" or "this."
Listen to native speakers and mimic their pronunciation of difficult sounds.
11. Does the Speaker Use Word Stress and Sentence Stress Correctly?
Why It Matters: Correct word stress (emphasizing the right syllable in a word) and sentence stress (emphasizing the most important words in a sentence) are key to sounding natural.
How to Improve:
Pay attention to word stress, especially in multi-syllable words. For example, the stress in "important" falls on the second syllable.
Practice sentence stress by emphasizing key words in your sentence: "I really enjoy playing tennis."
12. Is the Speaker’s Intonation Appropriate?
Why It Matters: Intonation—the rise and fall of your voice—can help convey meaning, attitude, or emotion. Monotone speech can make it hard to engage the listener.
How to Improve:
Work on using natural intonation patterns, especially for questions, emphasis, and expressing opinions.
Practice speaking with varied intonation by listening to native speakers and mimicking their tone.
How to Improve Your IELTS Speaking Score: Final Thoughts
To succeed in the IELTS Speaking test, it’s essential to focus on these key areas:
Length of answers: Provide detailed but concise responses.
Fluency: Avoid hesitations and corrections; speak smoothly.
Cohesion: Use cohesive devices and discourse markers to connect ideas.
Vocabulary: Use a range of vocabulary, including less common words and collocations.
Grammar: Show control over simple forms and use complex structures accurately.
Pronunciation: Ensure clarity through correct pronunciation, word stress, and intonation.
By targeting these areas, you’ll be able to demonstrate a high level of proficiency in your speaking ability and significantly boost your score! Keep practicing, seek feedback, and refine your speaking skills to reach your desired band score.
In Part 1 of the IELTS Writing test, you may be asked to describe a process. While process questions are less common than charts or graphs, they do appear occasionally. Fortunately, process questions are generally easier to answer, though many people overlook preparing for them. This is a missed opportunity, as it doesn’t take long to become familiar with these types of questions and learn how to respond effectively.