Speaking is the only IELTS skill where a human being decides your score — a trained examiner, in a recorded interview, judging how you actually talk. It lasts just 11–14 minutes, it is worth 25% of your overall band, and it is the skill where Pakistani students most often score below their target. This guide explains the exact format, the four marking criteria, and a realistic plan to reach Band 7 or higher.
The format: three parts, 11–14 minutes
| Part | Time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 — Introduction and interview | 4–5 minutes | The examiner checks your identity and asks 10–12 questions on 2–3 familiar topics: your home, your studies or work, your hobbies, your daily life. |
| Part 2 — Long turn (cue card) | 3–4 minutes total | You receive a printed card with a topic and 3–4 bullet points. You have 1 minute to prepare with pencil and paper, then speak for up to 2 minutes without interruption. The examiner may ask one or two rounding-off questions. |
| Part 3 — Two-way discussion | 4–5 minutes | A discussion of abstract ideas linked to your Part 2 topic: society, trends, comparisons, future speculation. This is where Band 6 and Band 7 separate. |
The Speaking test is the same for Academic and General Training candidates. It is a face-to-face interview with a certified examiner — in person or by video call at the test centre — and it is recorded. It can be scheduled on the same day as the other three papers or on a different day within a week.
The four marking criteria — 25% each
Your Speaking band is the average of four equally weighted criteria. There are no "correct answers" and no marks out of 40 — the examiner rates your average performance across all three parts against the public band descriptors.
- Fluency and Coherence (25%) — can you keep going without long pauses, repetition or self-correction, and do your ideas link together logically? Band 7 means speaking at length with only occasional hesitation and clear organisation.
- Lexical Resource (25%) — the range and precision of your vocabulary, including topic-specific words used correctly and the ability to paraphrase when a word will not come. Band 7 needs a good range with some flexibility; memorised "impressive" words used wrongly hurt you.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (25%) — a mix of simple and complex sentences, with few errors. Band 7 uses a range of structures with some errors that do not get in the way of meaning.
- Pronunciation (25%) — whether a listener can follow you without effort: word stress, rhythm, intonation and individual sounds. Examiners assess intelligibility, not accent — a Pakistani accent is never a problem by itself.
Band 7 in plain words: you can speak at length, use a range of vocabulary and grammar with some errors, and you are generally clear and coherent. Band 8: fluent with only rare errors, a wide vocabulary, complex grammar with few mistakes. Band 9: fully fluent, natural and easy to understand at all times.
How to reach Band 7: a four-week plan
Week 1 — fix Part 1
Record yourself answering 10 familiar-topic questions a day. The rule for Part 1: never give a one-word answer. Every answer needs a reason or an example — "Yes, I enjoy reading, especially history, because it helps me understand how Pakistan's cities grew." Two or three sentences per answer is enough. Listen back and count your pauses: if you stop to search for words more than twice per answer, your vocabulary for that topic is too thin.
Week 2 — master the cue card
Part 2 is the most trainable part of the test. Use your one minute of preparation properly: write 4–5 keywords, one per bullet point, and a simple structure — past, present, future, or problem, action, result. Then talk for the full two minutes. Most Band 6 candidates stop at 60–75 seconds; the difference between Band 6 and Band 7 is very often just finishing the talk. Practise with a timer every day.
Week 3 — learn to discuss, not describe
Part 3 asks for opinions, comparisons and speculation: "Do you think technology has changed the way families spend time together?" Practise the language of discussion — "On the one hand… on the other hand…", "Compared with ten years ago…", "In the long term…". If you only describe your own life in Part 3, you are answering a Part 1 question, and your score will show it.
Week 4 — mock tests under pressure
Do three full 11–14 minute mock interviews with a partner or a teacher, recorded. Score yourself against the four criteria, not against a feeling. The most common faults to hunt for: speaking too fast when nervous (slow down by 10%), repeating the same simple sentence pattern, and answering Part 2 with a list instead of a story.
Mistakes that cost a band
- Memorised answers. Examiners are trained to spot rehearsed templates, and memorised answers are penalised. A memorised Part 2 talk that does not quite match the card is worse than a natural, imperfect one.
- One-word Part 1 answers. "Yes." "No." "I like it." Each of these throws away a chance to show vocabulary and grammar.
- Silence in Part 2. If you run out of things to say at 60 seconds, keep going: add an example, compare with the past, say what you would do differently. Silence is the most expensive mistake in the test.
- Over-correcting. Stopping mid-sentence to fix a small grammar slip breaks your fluency score. Finish the sentence, and get it right next time.
- Speaking only to the examiner's face. Treat it as a conversation, not an interrogation: eye contact, natural gestures, a normal speaking speed.
FAQ
How long is the IELTS Speaking test? 11–14 minutes, in three parts: Part 1 (4–5 minutes), Part 2 (1 minute preparation + up to 2 minutes speaking) and Part 3 (4–5 minutes).
What band do universities want for Speaking? Most universities ask for an overall band of 6.5 with no skill below 6.0; selective universities often want 7.0 overall with no skill below 6.5. Check the requirement for your specific programme — it varies.
Is the Speaking test the same for Academic and General Training? Yes — same format, same marking criteria, same band scale.
Can I retake only Speaking? In Pakistan, IELTS One Skill Retake is available at selected centres — check with the British Council or IDP whether your centre offers it before you book.
Figures checked 2026-11-06: Speaking 11–14 minutes, three parts (Part 1: 4–5 minutes, 10–12 questions; Part 2: 1 minute preparation, up to 2 minutes speaking; Part 3: 4–5 minutes), four criteria at 25% each, band descriptors as published by IELTS (ielts.org). IELTS fees vary by country and centre and are deliberately not quoted here. One Skill Retake availability in Pakistan is to be confirmed with the British Council or IDP at the time of booking.
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Sources and verification: IELTS (ielts.org) Speaking format and public band descriptors; British Council and IDP Pakistan test information.