The test at a glance
IELTS Speaking is a recorded conversation with one examiner, 11 to 14 minutes long, in three parts. It is the same for IELTS Academic and General Training. Most centres hold it face to face; some use a video call with the examiner.
- Part 1 (4 to 5 minutes): short questions about you and familiar topics.
- Part 2 (3 to 4 minutes): a cue card, one minute to prepare, up to two minutes to speak.
- Part 3 (4 to 5 minutes): a discussion of wider ideas linked to Part 2.
You are marked on four criteria of equal weight: fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.
Every guide
IELTS Speaking Part 1Short questions about you, home, work and hobbies. How long to answer and what to avoid.IELTS Speaking Part 2: the cue cardThe cue card: one minute to plan, two minutes to talk. How to fill the time without memorising.IELTS Speaking Part 3: the discussionDeeper questions about society and ideas. How to give opinions with reasons and examples.How IELTS Speaking is scoredThe four criteria in plain words, and what separates band 6, 7 and 8.How to get band 7 in IELTS SpeakingA practical plan from 6 to 7: what to change in your answers, and how to practise daily.Common IELTS Speaking topicsThe topic areas that come up most, with practice questions for each part.IELTS Speaking tips for Bangla speakersThe sounds, grammar habits and translation habits that hold Bangla speakers back.IELTS Speaking mock test onlineAll three parts, timed, in exam order. How to take a mock and use the result.
Practice bands from BandGuru are AI estimates, not official IELTS scores. BandGuru is independent and not affiliated with IELTS, the British Council, IDP or Cambridge Assessment English.