IELTS General Training · Speaking
IELTS General Training Speaking
IELTS General Training Speaking has three parts lasting 11 to 14 minutes: an interview on familiar topics, a one to two minute long turn from a cue card with one minute to prepare, and a discussion of wider issues. It is the same Speaking test that Academic candidates take.
- Parts
- 3 (Part 1 to Part 3)
- Time
- 11 to 14 minutes
- Part 2 timing
- 1 minute to prepare, up to 2 minutes to speak
- Assessed on
- Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, Pronunciation
- Score
- Band 0 to 9
How IELTS General Training Speaking works
Part 1 is a four to five minute interview about everyday topics like your work, home and routine. Part 2 is the individual long turn: a cue card, one minute to prepare, then up to two minutes of speaking. Part 3 is a four to five minute discussion of broader questions linked to the Part 2 topic.
Your speaking is assessed on four areas: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation. The test is identical for General Training and Academic.
IELTS General Training Speaking tasks
Tips that work
- Extend answers with a reason and an example, especially in Part 3.
- Use your Part 2 preparation minute for key words, not full sentences.
- Speak at a natural pace; clear pronunciation matters more than speed.
- Practise speaking about work, family and community life, which are common everyday topics.
Questions candidates ask
Is the Speaking test different for General Training?
No. General Training and Academic candidates take the same Speaking test, with the same parts, timing and criteria. Topics come from everyday life, so no specialist knowledge is needed.
How can I practise speaking alone?
Our practice sets and mock tests let you record answers to exam-style questions for all three parts and receive AI feedback on your speaking, which helps you spot answers that are too short or hard to follow.
How much Speaking practice is available?
Each exam has 200 practice sets covering every Speaking part, plus 50 full mock tests that end with a full three-part Speaking test. The first mock is free.
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