What Examiners Want to Assess?

The IELTS Speaking Examiner has the criteria to assess the level of your speaking, and based on this, the examiner gives you a band. The assessor of your speaking module is your examiner. The examiner sets the two criteria. The first criterion is to assess your fluency, basic grammar, and pronunciation. The second criterion judges your depth of ideas, vocabulary range, and the coherence of ideas.

In the future, it could be predicted that some centres will use video calls for conducting the Speaking Exam, but the scoring pattern and its evaluation criteria will remain the same.

Speaking Test Structure: Duration and Question Types

The duration of the face-to-face speaking test is 11-14 minutes, and the test structure is divided into three parts.

IELTS Speaking Module- Pattern of Real Exam 2026

Part 1 is named "Introduce Yourself”. This part usually takes 4-5 minutes. In part 1, the examiner first introduces himself/herself and then allows you to introduce yourself. You might be asked personal questions by your examiner after listening to your introduction. Mostly, he/she will ask you some general questions about these familiar topics, including home, work, studies, hobbies, and daily routine.

Part 2, known as the Individual Long Turn. Part 2 takes 4-5 minutes. You will move on long turn in which you are given a cue card, and there are 1-4 questions mentioned that you have to respond. Which strategy do you have to use to prepare your cue card? You are given only 1 minute to prepare your cue card answer. You are also provided a paper for your notes. After this preparation of notes in bullet points or headings format, you speak for two and a half minutes. You have to speak continuously. After the end of your speaking, the examiner may ask you 1 short follow-up question.

Part 3 involves in Discussion session. In this part, 4-5 minutes are used to ask the questions from the provided answers in response to the cue card. This part is interlinked with part 2; moreover, in this part examiner asks you the analytical questions and expects an abstract answer. How to respond effectively? You share your opinions, explain your ideas, and give reasons.