IELTS Academic · Speaking
IELTS Academic Speaking: Parts 1–3 and Scoring
IELTS Speaking is an 11–14 minute test with an examiner, in three parts. Part 1 is an interview on familiar topics. Part 2 is a long turn: one minute to prepare, then up to two minutes on a cue card. Part 3 is a discussion of more abstract ideas linked to the Part 2 topic.
- Length
- 11–14 minutes
- Part 1
- Interview, about 4–5 minutes
- Part 2
- 1 minute preparation, then 1–2 minutes of speaking
- Part 3
- Discussion, about 4–5 minutes
- Score
- Band 0–9, in half bands
How IELTS Academic Speaking works
The Speaking test is the same for IELTS Academic and General Training. It moves from simple questions about you (Part 1), to an extended talk on a set topic (Part 2), to a discussion of wider issues connected to that topic (Part 3). The questions become more abstract as the test goes on.
The examiner assesses four criteria: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation.
IELTS Academic Speaking tasks
Tips that work
- Extend Part 1 answers with a reason or example, but keep them conversational.
- In Part 2, make keyword notes and aim to keep speaking until the examiner stops you.
- In Part 3, give an opinion, explain it and consider another side.
- Record yourself and listen back; pronunciation and pauses are easier to notice in a recording.
Questions candidates ask
Is IELTS Speaking done with a person or a computer?
In the official test you speak with a trained examiner, and the test is recorded. EnglishHub practice uses recorded examiner questions and records your answers so you can get feedback.
Does a strong accent lower my score?
Pronunciation is assessed on how easy you are to understand and how well you use features such as stress and intonation, not on sounding like a particular native accent.
How is my speaking practice assessed on EnglishHub?
Your recording is transcribed and you receive AI feedback on the four Speaking criteria. It is an independent practice estimate to guide your preparation, not an official band.
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