Overview of the IELTS Speaking Test 2024

The IELTS Speaking test is designed to assess your spoken English proficiency in a real-life conversational context. Lasting between 11-14 minutes, the test is conducted face-to-face with an examiner and is divided into three parts, each with a specific focus:

1. Part 1: Introduction and Interview (4-5 minutes)

   • You will answer questions about familiar topics such as your hobbies, work, studies, and daily life.

   • The aim is to assess your ability to speak fluently about everyday matters.

2. Part 2: Long Turn (3-4 minutes)

   • You’ll receive a cue card with a topic and be given 1 minute to prepare.

   • You will then speak for 1-2 minutes on that topic, followed by a couple of follow-up questions.

   • This part tests your ability to organize your thoughts and speak at length.

3. Part 3: Discussion (4-5 minutes)

   • The examiner will ask more complex, abstract questions related to the topic in Part 2.

   • This section evaluates your ability to engage in deeper discussions and provide reasoned arguments.

Assessment Criteria

Your speaking is evaluated based on four key areas:

• Fluency and Coherence: How well you can keep speaking and link ideas together.

• Lexical Resource: The range and appropriateness of your vocabulary.

• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The variety and correctness of grammar structures used.

• Pronunciation: How clearly and naturally you speak.

The IELTS Speaking test in 2024 continues to emphasize natural conversation, allowing you to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively in English.