Speaking · Unit 1: Know the test
S01: IELTS Speaking explained: 3 parts, 11 to 14 minutes, face to face
Target band 5.5 to 6
IELTS Speaking is a short conversation with a real examiner. It lasts about 11 to 14 minutes, and it has three parts. For many Bangladeshi students, it's the part they fear most. But when you know exactly what happens, minute by minute, much of that fear goes away.
Why this matters
Nerves are one of the biggest reasons students lose marks in Speaking. They freeze, give short answers, or forget simple words. Most of this nervousness comes from not knowing what to expect. Once the test feels familiar, you can focus on speaking naturally.
The test at a glance
| Part | Time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | 4 to 5 minutes | The examiner asks about you: your home, study, work, hobbies. |
| Part 2 | 3 to 4 minutes | You get a topic card, 1 minute to prepare, and then speak for up to 2 minutes. |
| Part 3 | 4 to 5 minutes | A deeper discussion linked to the Part 2 topic. |
What happens on the day
- You enter a room with the examiner. The test is recorded.
- The examiner checks your identity and asks your name.
- Part 1: short questions on two or three familiar topics.
- Part 2: the examiner gives you a card, a pencil and paper. You have one minute to make notes. Then you speak. The examiner may stop you after two minutes and might ask one or two short follow-up questions.
- Part 3: the examiner asks more abstract questions about the same theme. For example, if Part 2 was about a teacher, Part 3 might be about education in society.
- The test ends. The examiner doesn't tell you your score.
Same for everyone
Academic and General Training students take the same Speaking test.
What it's NOT
- It's not a test of your knowledge. There are no right or wrong opinions.
- It's not a test of your accent (S08).
- It's not a test of memorised answers (S09). Examiners are trained to notice them.
How it's marked
Four criteria, each worth a quarter of your score: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation. S02 explains each one.
Try it yourself
- How many parts are there?
- How long do you prepare in Part 2?
- Do Academic and GT students take different Speaking tests?
- Does the examiner tell you your score at the end?
Show the answers
1) Three. 2) One minute. 3) No. 4) No.
Honest note
Depending on your centre, Speaking may be on the same day as the other modules or on a different day. Some test formats may use a video link with the examiner. Check your booking confirmation for details.
Your task today
Record yourself answering this Part 1 question for 30 seconds: "Tell me about your hometown." Listen back. How did you sound?