IELTS measures you speaking skill through a face-to-face Speaking test. The most widely-supported belief is that this is the most effective way of assessing it. The same format is designed for the Speaking tests of both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training candidates.

For the IELTS on computer test, the Speaking test is the same as always – face-to-face, in a quiet room, with a real, human examiner and on the same day as the other parts (listening, reading and writing). Unlike an AI test, an IELTS examiner is better able to help feel calm and relaxed to appear more self-confident. Even with all the advances in AI technology, these IELTS experts are more competent in understanding your accent, whichever country you may be from, to ease your concerns about getting the highest score you could.

As well as IELTS writing, IELTS Speaking is a test module that test-takers in large would require support and preparation; therefore, they usually begin working towards progress before they do on the other skills. As the test day approaches, they begin having more and more questions as they want to perform at their best. Due to exam anxiety, it is only natural for IELTS test-takers to have questions and concerns regarding their speaking test:

• How many parts does it have?
• What are the topics in each part?
• How long does it take?

We shall address these questions in the following lines to dispel common myths surrounding IELTS Speaking and help you gain more confidence.

As previously mentioned, the IELTS Speaking test is designed to assess a candidate’s English communication skills in a face-to-face setting. The test has three distinct parts and lasts approximately 11-14 minutes. Here’s a breakdown of what happens during each part:

Part 1: Introduction and Interview (4-5 minutes)

• The examiner introduces themselves and asks you to state your full name, verify your identity by showing your ID (e.g. passport).
• You will talk about some familiar topics such as your studies, work, hobbies, hometown, skills, or future plans.

The examiner asks questions about familiar topics in Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking test for several reasons:

1. Warm-Up and Confidence Building: Beginning the Speaking test with familiar topics helps candidates ease into the conversation, reducing initial anxiety and building confidence for the more challenging tasks in Parts 2 and 3.
2. Assessing Basic Communication Skills: Part 1 focuses on assessing a candidate’s ability to communicate effectively on everyday topics and personal experiences. This part evaluates their basic speaking and comprehension skills, which are essential for real-life interactions in an English-speaking environment.
3. Evaluating Vocabulary and Grammar: By asking about familiar topics, examiners can assess a candidate’s ability to use appropriate vocabulary and grammar in context. Candidates are expected to demonstrate their lexical resource and grammatical range while discussing these topics.
4. Establishing Rapport: Building a friendly and comfortable atmosphere allows candidates to feel more at ease during the test. Discussing familiar topics helps establish rapport between the candidate and the examiner, promoting a natural flow of conversation.

You must know that starting the IELTS Speaking test with questions about familiar topics enables examiners to evaluate your basic communication abilities while helping you feel more confident and comfortable to continue the test.

Part 2: Long Turn (3-4 minutes)

• The examiner provides a card with a specific topic, along with key points that you need to cover.
• You have one minute to prepare your response and take notes. The examiner will be silent during this time.
• You then speak on the given topic for 1-2 minutes without interruption.
• Afterwards, the examiner takes the topic card back and may ask one or two follow-up questions related to the topic.

Here’s what a part 2 topic looks like:

This section tests your ability to convey more complex ideas, develop a topic, and deliver longer speech. You may be asking why the examiner asks you to speak for 1-2 minutes. The truth is that he wants to assess several important aspects of your English language abilities:

1. Coherence and Cohesion: Speaking for an extended period allows examiners to evaluate your ability to organize your ideas, link them together logically, and develop a coherent argument or narrative.
2. Lexical Resource: Candidates can showcase their vocabulary skills by discussing a given topic in detail, demonstrating their ability to use a range of vocabulary, including less-common words and idiomatic expressions. (e.g. I’m starving instead of I’m really hungry)
3. Grammatical Range: The longer speaking task gives you the chance to demonstrate your command of various grammatical structures and tenses, using complex sentence structures and maintaining grammatical accuracy throughout the discourse.
4. Fluency: A longer speaking task allows examiners to assess candidates’ fluency, including their ability to maintain a consistent flow of speech, use stress and intonation appropriately, and self-correct when necessary.

Part 3: Discussion (4-5 minutes)

• The examiner leads a discussion based on the topic from Part 2, introducing more abstract concepts and issues.
• You’ll be asked questions that encourage you to express your opinions, compare ideas, and provide reasons and/or examples.
• This section evaluates your ability to participate in a more in-depth, complex conversation.

These questions may be asked on part 3:

The examiner asks abstract questions in Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking test for several reasons:

1. Assessing Advanced Language Skills: Abstract questions require candidates to engage in more complex and high-level thinking, allowing examiners to evaluate their advanced language abilities in terms of expressing complex ideas, analyzing topics from different perspectives, and demonstrating a wide range of vocabulary.
2. Evaluating Critical Thinking: Abstract questions encourage candidates to think critically, evaluate ideas, and express their own thoughts and opinions on various issues. This allows examiners to assess a candidate’s ability to engage in thoughtful, intellectual discussions in English.
3. Testing Fluency and Coherence: Speaking about abstract topics often requires more elaboration and explanation, allowing examiners to evaluate candidates’ fluency and coherence in discussing complex issues.
4. Preparing for Academic and Professional Environments: Abstract questions in Part 3 are similar to the types of discussions that candidates might encounter in academic or professional settings. By engaging in these conversations, examiners can assess a candidate’s readiness to participate effectively in English-speaking environments beyond everyday interactions.

Overall, abstract questions in Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking test provide examiners with valuable insights into a candidate’s advanced language skills, critical thinking abilities, and preparedness for higher-level discussions in English.

How IFI Ensures the Best Speaking Experience

This brings us to IFI IDP Qatar: one of the top IELTS test centres in Qatar.  To deliver the best speaking test conditions we implement various strategies and adhering to strict standards set by the IELTS organization. Some of the measures IFI takes include:

1. Trained and Experienced Examiners: The examiners conducting the Speaking test are highly trained and experienced, ensuring they can evaluate your English language skills objectively and accurately, even across multiple attempts.
2. Standardized Test Environment: The test room is set up to provide a comfortable, quiet, and distraction-free environment, allowing you to focus on the task at hand.
3. Consistent Timing: IFI IDP Qatar’s examiners are well-trained and highly-experienced to manage time effectively and ensure that all candidates have equal opportunities to demonstrate their abilities within the allocated time frame.
4. Audio Recording: The Speaking test is recorded, allowing for quality assurance and ensuring fairness in your assessment process.
5. Clear Instructions: Our examiners at IFI IDP Qatar always provide clear instructions and prompt you with questions to ensure that you understand the task and can demonstrate your language skills effectively.
6. Secure Test Materials: Test materials, including the Speaking test tasks, are kept secure to prevent any leaks or unfair advantages.

In Conclusion

Throughout the IELTS Speaking test, the examiner assesses your performance based on four criteria: fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. The test is recorded (voice only) for quality assurance and review purposes, ensuring a fair and accurate assessment of your English speaking abilities.

To register for IELTS, contact IFI IDP Qatar today and we will get you started and on your way!