Active IELTS - speaking
Welcome to the Active IELTS speaking page. Here you will find

  • A guide to the speaking exam
  • A guide to how the examiner marks your spoken English
  • Tips and hints on how to answer the questions
  • Free worksheets to download
  • The Active IELTS speaking practice service

This page is separated into 5 areas. You can go straight to Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 or look at the general advice
first. You can also go straight to the free worksheets page.




The speaking exam is the same for the General Training and the Academic IELTS. It consists of an interview
between you and an examiner, and it lasts about 15 minutes.

Part 1 - The examiner begins by checking your name and your identification. Then he or she asks you short, simple
questions on three common topics. This part of the exam takes about 3-4 minutes.

Part 2 - The examiner gives you a topic and you need to speak about it for about 2 minutes. Before you speak you
have one minute to make notes. The examiner gives you paper and a pencil to do this.

Part 3 - The examiner asks you some questions based on the topic in part 2. These are more complicated than the
questions in the other part of the exam. Your answers need to be longer and more complicated also.

Practising

  • Speak as much English as you can. This is obvious but important. Speak all the time and speak about
    different things - yourself, your country, your ideas and opinions. Don't worry if you can't talk to a native
    speaker - just speak. This will make your English more natural and prepare you for surprises in the test.

In the exam

  • When you are waiting for the test to start, if there are other people with you - friends or other candidates -
    SPEAK ENGLISH. Don't speak your own language. If you speak English before the test, then you will be
    already thinking in English when the test starts.

  • Relax. Try to enjoy the exam. Remember that the job of the examiner is to get you to use your best English,
    not to make things more difficult.

  • Smile and be friendly.

  • At the beginning of the test the examiner will tell you their name. Use it. Everybody likes to hear their name
    and it will show that you are confident and comfortable.

  • Don't take anything into the test. You don't need anything. If you have a mobile phone, switch it off.

  • If you don't understand something, ask the examiner to repeat it or explain. In some parts of the test the
    examiner can only repeat their words but in others they can help you by saying things in a different way.

  • If you ask the examiner to repeat or explain, make sure your English is good This can help you. See the
    Speaking Downloads Page for more help on this.

  • At the end of the test NEVER ask the examiner about your score. The examiner cannot tell you anything.

  • Don't worry if the examiner only says 'Thank you' during the test and at the end of it. They cannot say things
    like 'Good' and 'Right', even if you are giving great answers!

  • If you have special needs, for example you need the written exams in large print or you have a hearing
    problem, tell the centre BEFORE the exam day.




Your speaking exam is always recorded. You will notice this when you go into the interview room. This is for two
reasons, but neither of them should worry you:

  • The examiner's work occasionally needs to be checked

  • If there is a problem with your exam and you ask for it to be checked and marked again, then IELTS needs to
    listen to your speaking again.

As you can see your exam is recorded for your benefit. When you are speaking just forget that the recording
machine is there and concentrate on yourself and the examiner.
General Advice
Why is my speaking exam recorded?
Is there a word you don't
understand? Look it up here
Cambridge Dictionaries Online