What IELTS Examiners Look for in the Speaking Test?

Kasturika Samanta

8 min read

Updated On Oct 22, 2024

What IELTS examiners look for in the Speaking test are based on the four IELTS Speaking criteria. In this blog, learn about these IELTS Speaking band descriptors and tips on improving these areas to boost your IELTS score.

IELTS Speaking Criteria: What IELTS Examiners Look for in the Speaking Test?
Sample of What IELTS Examiners Look for in the Speaking Test
IELTS Examiner Tips to Improve IELTS Score for Speaking

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Knowing the IELTS Speaking criteria makes it easy for aspirants to prepare for the exam and get a good score in the exam. It helps them understand what IELTS examiners look for in the speaking test and improve their skills accordingly.

So, in this blog, we will look into the IELTS Speaking band descriptors and go through some IELTS examiner tips for IELTS Speaking to boost the IELTS score.

IELTS Speaking Criteria: What IELTS Examiners Look for in the Speaking Test?

In IELTS Speaking Part 1, the examiner will ask the candidate some introductory questions like name, place of residence, reason for immigrating, etc. Similarly, in IELTS Speaking Part 3, they will ask some questions related to the topic of the IELTS cue cards in Part 2.

Overall, the candidates are assessed on the basis of 4 IELTS Speaking criteria - Fluency and coherence, Lexical resource, Grammatical range and accuracy and Pronunciation.

IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors

The Speaking results are presented as an IELTS band score, with a band 0 to a band 9 being the range. Every whole and half band score represents a proficiency level in the English language.

Let’s have a detailed look at what these IELTS Speaking band descriptors mean in the table below.

Band Level	Fluency & Coherence	Vocabulary	Grammar	Pronunciation
9	Speaks fluently with rare repetition or self-correction Pauses are for ideas, not language Develops topics fully with appropriate linking	Uses words with full flexibility and accuracy in all topics Idioms for IELTSused are natural and accurate	Uses a full range of grammar naturally and accurately Errors are rare and non-systematic	Uses full pronunciation features with precision and subtlety Speech is effortless to understand
8	Speaks fluently with occasional repetition or self-correction Pauses are usually idea-related Topics are developed clearly and appropriately	Uses a wide vocabulary accurately and flexibly Less common and idiomatic words are used well, with occasional errors Paraphrasing is effective	Uses a wide range of grammar flexibly Most sentences are error-free with minor mistakes	Uses a wide range of pronunciation features Minimal lapses in speech Clear and easy to understand throughout
7	Speaks at length with occasional pauses or self-correction. Some language-related hesitation Uses discourse markers with some flexibility	Uses vocabulary flexibly to discuss various topics Some less common words are used with awareness of style, though some errors occur Paraphrasing is effective	Uses complex grammar with some flexibility Often error-free, but errors still occur	Pronunciation is mostly clear, with occasional mistakes that do not affect understanding
6	Willing to speak at length but may lose coherence with repetition, self-correction, or hesitation Linking words for IELTS Speaking are used, but not always appropriately	Has enough vocabulary to discuss topics clearly, but with some errors Paraphrasing is usually successful	Uses a mix of simple and complex structures but with limited flexibility Mistakes in complex sentences are common but do not block understanding	Uses a range of pronunciation features with mixed control Can be understood, but mispronunciations reduce clarity at times
5	Maintains speech flow but uses repetition, self-correction, or slow speech May overuse certain connectives	Manages to talk about familiar and unfamiliar topics, but uses vocabulary with limited flexibility Paraphrasing is attempted with mixed success	Uses basic sentences accurately but struggles with more complex ones Errors can cause comprehension problems	Shows some pronunciation control, but frequent mistakes may cause difficulty for the listener
4	Pauses noticeably and speaks slowly with frequent repetition and self-correction Basic sentences are linked, but coherence is weak	Can talk about familiar topics but makes many errors with unfamiliar topics Rarely attempts paraphrasing	Uses basic sentences, with errors in complex grammar that may lead to misunderstanding	Pronunciation errors are frequent and affect clarity
3	Speaks with long pauses Has trouble linking sentence Can give simple responses but struggles to convey messages	Uses simple vocabulary but lacks sufficient words for unfamiliar topics	Attempts basic sentences but makes many errors Relies on memorized phrases	Pronunciation errors are frequent and may cause difficulty for the listener
2	Pauses before most words Communication is minimal	Uses only isolated words or memorized phrases	Cannot produce basic sentence forms	Speech is often hard to understand
1	No communication possible	No communication possible	No communication possible	No communication possible

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Sample of What IELTS Examiners Look for in the Speaking Test

To make it easier to understand what IELTS examiners look for in the speaking test, the following examples for IELTS Speaking Part 2 will be quite helpful.

Candidates are advised to assess the samples on their own and check if they have understood the IELTS Speaking criteria properly by tallying their assessment with the IELTS examiner’s comments.

IELTS Cue Card Topic

Describe a new law you would like to see introduced.

What it is?
What it would change?
How popular it would be?
And explain why you think it's important?

Audio 1

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Examiner’s Comments:

Fluency and coherence

The response flows naturally and smoothly, with well-organized ideas. The candidate uses a range of cohesive devices, like ‘In other words’, ‘On top of that’, ‘All in all’, effectively to connect ideas and develop the response logically. He gets a good score for fluency.

Lexical resource

The candidate uses a wide range of vocabulary, with appropriate idiomatic expressions like ‘kill two birds with one stone’ and ‘set the stage for’. Although the word choices are mostly to the point, it can be improved further. Overall, he scores well on vocabulary.

Grammatical range and accuracy

He demonstrates a good range of grammatical structures, including conditional sentences (‘if there is a law’) and complex sentences. However, there are minor errors like in the phrase ‘the reality often extends to weekends and holidays’. While the meaning is clear, it could be more precise with “the reality is that employees often work weekends and holidays.” Also, the phrase ‘employees would have more time to rest, pursue personal interests, and spending time with their families’ contains a parallel structure error.

Pronunciation

It was easy for me to understand him. I can hear an accent, but it doesn’t interfere with understanding. Not a single word confused me or caused me to stop and consider it.

Audio 2

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Examiner’s Comments:

Fluency and coherence

The candidate is generally easy to follow, and ideas are expressed clearly. She links ideas with simple connectives like ‘and’, ‘but’, and ‘so’. However, it lacks more complex cohesive devices, and there are some basic transitions ("in the end") that could be improved for higher fluency.

Lexical resource

The vocabulary is relevant to the topic (‘distracted driving’, ‘heavy fines’, ‘lose their driver’s license’). But the range of vocabulary is fairly basic, and phrases like ‘it will save lives’ are repeated without much variety.

Grammatical range and accuracy

Basic sentence structures are used correctly, and the message is clear. There is limited use of complex sentences.

Pronunciation

I could understand her pronunciation is generally clear, and it is mostly understandable. There are some minor mispronunciations or lapses in intonation, but these do not significantly hinder understanding.

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IELTS Examiner Tips to Improve IELTS Score for Speaking

Take a look at these IELTS Speaking tips that IELTS examiners totally approve of.

Greet the examiner & maintain a positive attitude: When you walk into the room, it's crucial to make a good first impression. Close the door with poise and gentleness, then proceed to your seat (ask for permission to sit), and, depending on the time of day, greet the examiner politely with a smile. This kind gesture not only makes a good first impression but also gives you a sense of comfort. Also, during the speaking test, it is advisable to pay attention to your body language, even though it is not specified in the assessment criteria. You ought to be at ease and maintain a straight back.
Answer questions fully: Instead of giving one-word answers, always aim to elaborate. For instance, if asked about your favorite season, respond with something like, ‘My favorite season is autumn because I love the cooler weather and the vibrant colors of the leaves. It’s a perfect time for outdoor activities like hiking’.
Use topic-specific vocabulary: While preparing for the exam, identify common IELTS Speaking topics and make a list of the common English words used in IELTS Speaking test as well as some idiomatic expressions. Using appropriate IELTS vocabulary accounts for one-fourth of the total score for the speaking section.
Add examples and personal experiences: Whenever possible, back up your statements with examples or personal anecdotes. This will add credibility to your answer and make the answer more spontaneous. For example, if asked about your hometown, you might say, ‘My hometown is quite small, but it has a lovely community. For instance, every summer, we have a local festival where everyone comes together for music, food, and games. It really brings people closer’.
Incorporate complex sentences & linking words: Use complex sentence structures to demonstrate the range of IELTS grammar. For instance, instead of saying, ‘I like reading books. They are interesting’, say, ‘I enjoy reading books because they provide a deep insight into different cultures and perspectives, allowing me to learn and grow’. Also, employ linking words to connect your ideas and improve coherence. Phrases like ‘in addition’, ‘on the other hand’, or ‘for example’ help create a smooth flow.
Address Hypothetical Questions with Conditional Sentences: During IELTS Speaking Part 3, if the examiner asks questions on hypothetical situations, make sure to use conditional sentences. For example, if asked about changes you would make in your city, say, ‘If I were the mayor, I would implement more green spaces and parks because they enhance community wellbeing and promote outdoor activities’.
Mind Your Tone and Stress Patterns: To highlight important topics, practice adjusting your tone and level of stress. Saying something like, ‘What I find most surprising is how many people underestimate the benefits of regular exercise’ ,might be used to bring up an important topic. Emphasizing ‘surprising’ draws attention to your key point.
Be confident when you speak: It is quite natural to be nervous while taking a test. However, speaking confidently with the right body language is an important part of the IELTS Speaking test. It indicates your ease of communicating in English and your fearlessness in expressing thoughts and ideas. For that, practicing with the help of experts or family and friends is necessary.

So, what comes after this?

After learning about the IELTS Speaking criteria and what IELTS examiners look for in the speaking test, the next step is to practice regularly. While practising IELTS Speaking practice tests, record yourself speaking on various topics. This helps you identify areas for improvement, such as hesitations, pronunciation issues, or repetitive phrases. For example, listen to whether you overuse fillers like ‘um’ or ‘like’, and work to reduce them in your responses.

Also Check

Frequently Asked Questions

What do examiners look for in IELTS Speaking?/ What do they look for in IELTS Speaking?

The examiners will assess you on the basis of four IELTS Speaking criteria - Fluency and coherence, Lexical resource, Grammatical range and accuracy and Pronunciation. So, they are looking for a confident, clear, and well-rounded response, demonstrating your ability to express thoughts naturally and accurately.

What will be asked in IELTS Speaking test?

The IELTS Speaking test is divided into 3 parts. In Part 1, you'll be asked basic questions about yourself, such as your hobbies, family, work, studies, or interests. In Part 2, you will be given a cue card with a topic, which ranges from describing a memorable event to explaining your opinions on a social issue. Finally, in Part 3, the examiner will ask you questions related to the topic from Part 2.

How can I impress my IELTS Speaking examiner?

To make an impression on the IELTS Speaking examiner, focus on speaking with confidence and clarity. Use a variety of words and grammatical structures while staying accurate. Show that you can manage more challenging material in Part 3 by offering thoughtful points of view supported by facts or reason. Pronunciation is important since it involves speaking clearly and using tone to highlight important topics. Finally, try to remain composed and give the appearance that you are having a real conversation.

What should I avoid in IELTS speaking test?

Avoid memorizing answers, as examiners can quickly tell if your responses are pre-prepared and can lead to a lower score. Don’t overuse fillers like ‘um’, or ‘you know’. While a few fillers are natural, too many will affect your fluency score. Avoid one-word answers or overly short responses, especially in Parts 1 and 3. Additionally, avoid speaking too quickly or too slowly, as this can negatively affect your pronunciation and coherence. Finally, try not to stress too much about perfection—occasional mistakes are okay as long as you correct yourself and continue speaking naturally.

How can I predict my IELTS speaking score?

Predicting your IELTS Speaking score can be difficult and often leads to underestimation, especially if you lack experience in evaluating key areas like fluency, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.