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The IELTS speaking module has three different sections each with a specific duration, however the evaluating parameters remain the same. In this article of IELTS Speaking section practice, we will showcase the difference between a student who is not prepared and attempts the exam versus a well-prepared student, also, highlighting their approximate band levels.
Starting from the IELTS speaking part 1 of the IELTS speaking test wherein the students are asked general questions related to common IELTS speaking topics such as daily routines, likes and dislikes and so on followed by the IELTS speaking Part 2, that is the cue card round, wherein the student is expected to speak in length on a given IELTS speaking topic to the main discussion round of IELTS speaking part 3. We recommend all the aspiring students to refer IELTS IELTS speaking questions and attempt IELTS Speaking practice tests available online to score high IELTS speaking band score and feel confident for the main exam day.
Let us now dive in and discuss in detail about the various parts of the IELTS speaking test.
Part 1 – Introduction and Interview | |
Overview | In this section of IELTS speaking module the examiner introduces him/herself to the student and engages the student in basic conversation. The examiner may ask simple questions on very common topics like hobbies, interests, studies. |
What skills are involved? | The candidate in this part of IELTS Speaking section is expected to answer the questions asked by the examiner with full confidence. Students should not be giving one word answer instead should give proper one line reason to whatever they are expressing. |
Part 2 – Cue Card round | |
Overview | The part 2 of IELTS speaking module is the trickiest one, however if handled in a strategic way, scoring high bands is like an assurance. In this section, the candidate is given a question card that has the topic the student is expected to speak in length. The topic in the question card also has some bullet points kind of questions that are required to be considered while planning the topic to be spoken. The candidate is expected to speak on the topic considering the sequence of the sub point questions that are asked. The best part is that the candidates are given one-minute time to prepare and in this one minute, paper and pencil is also given to the candidate so that they can write down the key words that they plan to answer. The same plan can be used at the time of speaking the cue card. Post the completion of one minute, the examiner signals the student to start speaking and stops the student after 90 seconds or complete 2 minutes. |
What skills are required? | The candidate is judged on the way he/ she elaborates the topic with natural fluency, usage of lexical resources, correct pronunciation and grammar range. |
Part 3 – Discussion | |
Overview | In Part 3, the candidate is engaged in a discussion with questions from the cue card topic, there will be around 4-5 questions asked in this part of IELTS Speaking section. Part 3 lasts 4–5 minutes. |
What skills are required? | The candidate should give reasoned answers, must have a positive approach even if the answer is a little argumentative in nature. |
Examiners with certification in IELTS evaluate the performance of the candidates on every IELTS speaking task. Because the IELTS speaking section follows a specific format, attempting lots of IELTS speaking practice questions can help the candidates prepare better for the expected IELTS speaking questions on the exam day. They can also refer to IELTS sample speaking topics to shortlist the questions if required. The examiner considers the following four assessment criteria when determining the appropriate IELTS score for the candidate:
Fluency and coherence
Lexical resource
Grammatical range and accuracy
Pronunciation.
Evaluating the fluency and coherence of the candidate is done on the basis of natural ability of the student to speak in length without using fillers, structured in the right sequence and with confidence.
The lexical resource evaluation analyzes the candidate's vocabulary range and their proficiency in using it accurately and effectively. Candidates can improve this skill by incorporating IELTS speaking practice into their regular routine.
Grammatical range and accuracy assessment evaluate the diversity of grammar used by candidates and their proficiency in doing so with precision and effectiveness. Candidates can improve in this skill by studying past years' IELTS speaking test questions to better prepare for grammatical challenges.
Pronunciation evaluation examines the candidate's ability to communicate clearly and comprehensively. Reviewing sample questions from the IELTS speaking test can assist candidates in polishing their pronunciation skills.
IELTS speaking questions can be asked from a variety of topics. It is suggested that the candidates are well versed with the common IELTS speaking topics. This can help them to gain an understanding of the important IELTS speaking questions to target and secure a high IELTS speaking band score. Let us discuss the various parts of the IELTS speaking test in detail.
As mentioned above, the IELTS speaking section part 1 has common IELTS speaking questions to be answered. Now, we shall showcase the difference between a IELTS speaking low band score versus a high band score. Given below are two audios of the IELTS speaking part 1.
In IELTS speaking sample audio 1, you will be able to observe that the student scoring low bands as he has used a lot of fillers and does not give complete answers although he has good pronunciation.
In IELTS speaking sample audio 2, you will see a change in answer’s that the student answers, here the answers are complete in length and all the answers are with reasons, clear flow of language with the correct pronunciation and hence the student is bound to score a high IELTS speaking band score.
Candidates can listen to the speaking sample above designed by Careers360 to have an idea about the common IELTS speaking questions which has a high probability of being asked in the IELTS speaking section. These samples are designed after careful analysis of the previous IELTS speaking samples and are aimed to help the candidates in their IELTS speaking preparation journey.
As mentioned above, in this part the student is expected to speak in length, elaborate well, maintain pace and flow of language accuracy, use lexical resources naturally, We will showcase you the difference in low and high band score students audio.
In the IELTS speaking sample audio 1, you will observe that the student is able to elaborate on the topic but has less vocabulary and has done it in a simple manner, Also, there are certain grammar accuracy errors and lot of fillers and pauses.
In the IELTS speaking sample audio 2, the student is well prepared and speaks in a structured manner (showing coherence) with a natural flow of lexical resources.
The above has a sample of IELTS speaking part 2 of the IELTS speaking test. The candidate can refer to the IELTS speaking sample and gain an idea on how to structure their speech, what to include and what not to, how to use effective vocabulary and give an apt conclusion.
As we have discussed above the format and expectation from the student in part 3 of IELTS speaking, we recommend you to listen to the audios given below to understand the difference between a low band scoring student versus a high band scoring student.
In the IELTS speaking sample audio 1, you will observe that the candidate has limited content to speak and is struggling to give the answer with a reason along with the general grammar errors.
In the IELTS speaking sample audio 2, there is a well prepared student who knows to logically present and discuss his point of view and share his opinion in a structured manner.
The candidates can listen to this sample conversation of part 3 of the IELTS speaking section. This can give them a clear picture of what to expect in the section. The reasoning abilities of the speaker is expressed in the audio and this shows how the candidate must answer the questions.
The IELTS practice books offers a wealth of practice tests. These eBooks contain a wide range of practice exercises and sample questions, allowing candidates to familiarize themselves with the format and types of questions they will encounter in the actual exam .
E-books | Download Links |
IELTS Reading Practice Books | |
IELTS Writing Practice Books | |
IELTS Speaking Practice Books | |
IELTS Listening Practice Books | |
IELTS Preparation Tips 2025 Book | |
IELTS and TOEFL Vocabulary Guide Book |
In the realm of IELTS, securing success is difficult but not impossible. One must have sufficient IELTS preparation to succeed in the IELTS examination. As far as the preparation level is considered, the candidate is required to devote adequate time for each section and strategise their preparation accordingly. The candidates must follow IELTS preparation tips to score high in the exam. To help them in this, the following IELTS practice sets can be used.
About the Author:
Pooja Aggarwal is an experienced trainer with over 15 years of expertise in helping students achieve their educational goals. With a degree in Education, she focuses on clear, patient, and personalised instruction. Her approach has successfully guided students from diverse backgrounds, preparing them for both Academic and General Training modules of various exams in a supportive and engaging environment.
The IELTS Speaking test is generally 11 - 15 minutes long. It is divided into three sections. With each section lasting approximately 3 - 5 minutes.
The examiner marks the student on their fluency, ability to articulate thoughts, vocabulary used, grammar accuracy and pronunciation skills. Hence, the candidates are required to go through extensive speaking preparation before the actual test.
The candidate should speak for at least 1 minute 30 seconds for the assessment. They have a maximum time limit of 2 minutes. The examiner would interrupt and ask the candidate to stop if they exceeded the time limit.
No. The candidate will not be allowed to speak on a different topic. They should try to speak on the topic given to them to the best of their ability. As the topics are common, practicing a lot of speaking on common topics can be very beneficial in such situations.
Yes. Giving data and research to support the viewpoints of candidates is helpful. It can strengthen the viewpoints given by the candidates. Also, providing data means that the candidate is well prepared for the topic and it can leave a positive impression on the examiner.
Hello,
One the most general tips for the preparation of both tests would be to go for a structured approach and understand the format of the tests respectively and work on improving grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation along with it take regular tests and reviews them. Both have 4 section, Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking, so all four must be kept in focus, and thus you must plan your time according to your needs and areas of improvement.
Now, for TOEFL, it's recommended to use resources from ETS, that is, official materials and tests.
For IELTS, it's recommended to use resources from IDP, British Council and Cambridge, that give you sample tests and questions.
Wishing an all the very best for the test.
Hello Student,
For the AMC (Australian Medical Council) exam , which assesses international medical graduates for practice in Australia, the IELTS requirement is generally a minimum overall score of 7.0 , with no individual band score below 7.0 (in Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking).
Alternatively, the AMC also accepts equivalent scores from OET, TOEFL iBT, and PTE Academic :
Meeting these requirements is essential to proceed with the AMC’s application and registration processes.
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.
Hello
To be eligible for the Australian Medical Council (AMC) exams , candidates must demonstrate English .
AMC assessment process :
1. Accepted English Language Tests and Scores
IELTS ( International English Language Testing System ) :
Overall band score : 7.0 in each band ( listening , reading , writing and speaking ) .
PTE Academic ( Pearson Test of English Academic ) :
Overall score of 65 in each band ( listening , reading , writing and speaking ) .
2. Validity of Test Scores
The test results must be no older than two years at the time of submitting your AMC application .
3. Preparation Tips for IELTS
Practice regularly : Build your language skills across all four components .
Take practice exams : practice can help improve speed and accuracy .
professional coaching if needed , specially for writing and speaking , which are often the most challenging part .
Use official IELTS resources : Cambridge IELTS books , online mock tests and other reliable materials can give you an accurate rating .
4. Application Tips
Ensure that your English test scores are valid and meet the minimum requirements before applying .
Keep a copy of your scores as they may need to be provided to both the AMC and registration authority in Australia .
Hope this helps you .
All the best
If you have completed a master's degree in the UK, you might still need to take the IELTS test to qualify for a Permanent Residency (PR) or Work Visa in Australia. While your degree from an English-speaking country like the UK may demonstrate your proficiency in English, Australian immigration authorities typically require a standardized English language test score, such as IELTS, to assess your language skills formally.
For better guidance, Invicta Institute can provide you with detailed information and assistance regarding the specific English language requirements for Australian PR or Work Visa applications. Invicta's experienced counselors can help you navigate the process and determine if your UK degree suffices or if you need to take the IELTS test.
Since you're currently in the first year of your Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com), planning ahead for your MBA abroad is a wise decision. The ideal time to take your IELTS exam is during your third year of B.Com. This timing ensures that your IELTS score, which is valid for two years, will still be valid when you apply for MBA programs.
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