IELTS Speaking Test: Format & Grading

IELTS Speaking Public Band Descriptors

Click on the link for the IELTS Speaking Public Band Descriptors. 

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Fluency and Coherence

Fluency is speaking at length (produce long turns) without hesitation, self-correction and repetition. at a “natural” speed – that’s not too fast or slow. 

Coherence is logically and relevantly describing your ideas and thoughts, using discourse markers (linking words and phrases). Using a variety of discourse markers accurately will increase your band score. 

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Hesitation breaks the flow / fluency and the less you can do it the better. It is usually caused when students search for the correct language (grammar and vocabulary) or are overthinking the topic. 

Repetition is repeating the same words, phrases and sentence structures.

Self-correction happens when candidates stop talking about the topic or answering a question in order to correct a language mistake in their use of grammar or vocabulary.

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Strategies & Tips: Fluency & Coherence

Hesitation​

• Think in English and don’t translate everything.

• The main reason for hesitation is when candidates think too much about language, usually grammar and vocabulary. Although they are important in that they make up 25% each of your band score, don’t over-value grammar and vocabulary.

• Most of the test is spent answering closed questions (yes/no questions) but answering with one or two short sentences is not advisable.

• When answering, use your knowledge, experience, give examples and give extra details.

• Always expand your answers and be willing to speak at length in order to move above band 6.

• Do not believe that 2 or 3 sentence answers are "enough". Keep talking until the examiner interrupts you - when this happens, that's a positive sign.

Repetition

• Candidates are often unaware and surprised that they are repeating the same words and phrases over and over. So, when you listen back to your recording of a practice test, take note of the words, phrases and sentence structures that you are repeating.

• Think of synonyms and paraphrases for these words and phrases then practice using them. 

• Vary the use of sentence structures and this will have a positive impact on the Grammatical range and accuracy band score.

​Self-Correction

• A small amount of self-correction is perfectly fine and natural. It shows the examiner that you are aware of your mistakes and have the ability to correct them.

• However, too much self-correction will have a negative impact on your fluency and coherence.

• Constant self-correction will also disrupt your train of thought on the topic or your response to a question.

• Candidates who are constantly self-correcting have, most likely, been taught that accuracy in grammar is the most important aspect of the test. 

• Try not to think of the speaking test as a test of your grammatical accuracy. There are 3 other criteria that account for 75% of the overall score.

• Remember the speaking test is not an accuracy test and mistakes in the use of vocabulary and grammar are acceptable for a band 7.

Topics

• Don't overthink the topic. I’ve met quite a few students whose greatest frustration was their inability to express their ideas. They would say things like “I have a lot of big ideas but I can’t express them.” 

• There is no mention of “good ideas or intelligent answers” in the IELTS band descriptors. It’s a language test not an intelligence test.

• Trying to express clever ideas and complex theories, especially in Parts 2 and 3 may have a negative impact on your Fluency and coherence score because you could be hesitating while searching for appropriate language to express yourself.

Discourse Markers

• Link your ideas and responses together with a variety of discourse markers and phrases. 

• Be sure of the meaning of the discourse marker and how it can be used in a sentence.

• Once you are certain of the meaning and how to use them, practice using discourse markers.

• Learning long lists of isolated discourse markers is not a useful strategy unless you are sure about their function and how they are used in sentences. 

• Use discourse markers and phrases as “fillers”, for example, “That’s an interesting question…” Let me see, well…”. This is better than silence or awkward “Ahhh…. ummm.” responses. However, it’s not an effective strategy to use “fillers” before every response as it can sound unnatural.

• When reading and listening to English, take note of the discourse markers and their function. Try to incorporate them into your speaking.

• Below are listed common discourse markers (linking words and phrases). Using a range of them flexibly and accurately will increase your band score.