Should You Correct Yourself or Keep Talking in the IELTS Speaking Exam?

One of the most common dilemmas IELTS candidates face during the Speaking test is whether to correct themselves when they make a mistake or just keep talking. This question can cause a lot of anxiety, but the answer isn’t always straightforward. Knowing when and how to correct yourself can make a big difference in your final score. In this blog, we’ll explore the pros and cons of self-correction, when it’s appropriate, and how it affects your IELTS Speaking score.

Understanding Self-Correction in the IELTS Speaking Test

In everyday conversation, people often make mistakes and correct themselves without thinking twice. The IELTS Speaking exam simulates a natural conversation, so it’s okay to self-correct to some extent. However, there’s a balance to strike between correcting mistakes and maintaining fluency.

The test is assessed in four main areas:

1. Fluency and Coherence

2. Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)

3. Grammatical Range and Accuracy

4. Pronunciation

Self-correction can impact these areas positively or negatively depending on how you handle it.

When Should You Correct Yourself?

There are certain situations where correcting yourself can actually boost your score. Here’s when self-correction is appropriate:

1. When the Mistake Changes the Meaning

If your mistake changes the meaning of what you’re saying, it’s better to correct yourself immediately. For example:

• "I am studied English for five years… sorry, I mean I have studied English for five years."

In this case, failing to correct the tense would give the examiner a wrong impression of your grammar knowledge and possibly affect your Grammatical Range and Accuracy score.

2. When You Use the Wrong Word

Using the wrong word can confuse the examiner or distort your message. Correcting yourself here will show that you have good control over your vocabulary and know the difference between similar words.

• "I visited a historic building… no, I mean a historical museum."

Here, recognizing and fixing the mistake will show you understand the nuance between historic and historical, positively affecting your Lexical Resource score.

3. When You Catch a Major Grammatical Error

If you make a serious grammar mistake, correcting it can prevent a drop in your Grammatical Range and Accuracy score. This is particularly important for complex sentence structures or verb tenses.

• "If I will have more time… sorry, if I had more time, I would travel more."

In this example, using the correct second conditional structure shows you understand how to form complex sentences, a critical part of the exam.

When Should You Keep Talking?

Sometimes, trying to correct every little mistake can do more harm than good. Here’s when it’s better to keep talking:

1. When the Mistake is Minor

If the mistake is small and doesn’t affect the meaning of your sentence, it’s best to keep going. Constantly stopping to fix tiny errors can harm your Fluency and Coherence score, which is a major component of the test.

• "She go… sorry, she goes to the store every day."

In this case, the mistake is minor. Repeatedly fixing small mistakes can make you sound less fluent, even though your grammar knowledge is good.

2. When You’ve Already Corrected Yourself Several Times

If you’ve been correcting yourself frequently, it may make you appear uncertain or nervous. Too much self-correction can make your speech sound disjointed and affect your Coherence. In this situation, it’s better to focus on keeping the conversation flowing.

3. When Correcting Yourself Might Cause More Hesitation

Overthinking mistakes can lead to hesitations and pauses, which will hurt your Fluency score. It’s often better to keep the conversation moving rather than stop to correct yourself, especially if you can recover smoothly in the next sentence.

How Self-Correction Impacts Your IELTS Score

1. Fluency and Coherence

Examiners are looking for candidates who can speak smoothly and coherently. Frequent self-correction or long pauses to fix mistakes will disrupt the flow of your speech, reducing your score for Fluency and Coherence. However, occasional, quick corrections—especially if done naturally—can demonstrate that you are in control of your language.

2. Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Correcting serious grammar mistakes, especially those related to verb tenses or complex structures, can actually improve your Grammatical Range and Accuracy score. It shows that you are aware of your mistakes and have the ability to fix them. But overcorrecting can make you seem unsure, so it’s important to strike the right balance.

3. Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)

If you catch yourself using the wrong word or mispronouncing a word, correcting it will likely boost your Lexical Resource score. It shows that you have a wide range of vocabulary and know how to use words accurately. However, if the mistake is minor or doesn’t affect understanding, it’s often better to let it go and keep talking.

4. Pronunciation

Frequent corrections can disrupt the natural flow of your speech and negatively affect your Pronunciation score. The examiner will be assessing how clearly you can speak and whether your pronunciation supports your message. Self-correcting too often can create a halting or unnatural rhythm to your speech.

Tips for Effective Self-Correction in the IELTS Speaking Exam

1. Practice for Balance: The key is to find the balance between fluency and accuracy. Practice speaking English regularly and get comfortable with making corrections when necessary—without overdoing it.

2. Know Your Weak Spots: Before the exam, work on common grammar or vocabulary mistakes you tend to make. Being aware of your weak points will help you focus on correcting only major errors during the test.

3. Use Natural Phrases for Correction: If you need to correct yourself, do so naturally. Instead of stopping abruptly, use phrases like:

   • "Sorry, what I meant to say was…"

   • "Let me rephrase that…"

   • "Actually, I should say…"

4. Stay Calm and Keep Speaking: Don’t let one mistake ruin your confidence. Stay calm and focus on the conversation. The examiner is looking for overall language ability, so one or two small mistakes won’t lower your score significantly if you can recover smoothly.

5. Work on Fluency: Regular practice will make you more fluent, and fluency helps reduce the chances of making mistakes in the first place. The more confident you are in your speaking ability, the less you will need to worry about self-correction.

Conclusion: Correct Yourself or Keep Talking?

In the IELTS Speaking exam, self-correction is a useful tool—but only when done wisely. Correcting yourself shows awareness of language, but overcorrecting or hesitating too much can damage your fluency and coherence. The general rule is to correct yourself only when the mistake changes the meaning or is a significant grammar error. For smaller mistakes, it’s better to keep talking and maintain the flow of the conversation. With regular practice, you’ll find the right balance between fluency and accuracy, leading to a higher score on test day.