How IELTS Speaking is graded

Introduction

The IELTS Speaking test is designed to assess how well you can communicate in spoken English. It is graded using specific criteria that are important to understand, as this will help you tailor your preparation to achieve the highest score possible. Knowing how the test is graded allows you to focus on the areas that matter most, so you can improve your performance and increase your chances of achieving your desired band score. In this chapter, we will break down how IELTS Speaking is graded, the four key assessment criteria, and practical tips on how to excel in each area.

Understanding the Grading System

The IELTS Speaking test is graded by trained examiners who assess your speaking ability on a scale from Band 1 to Band 9. The test is divided into three parts:

1. Part 1 – Personal Introduction (4–5 minutes)
2. Part 2 – Long Turn (Cue Card) (3–4 minutes)
3. Part 3 – Discussion (4–5 minutes)

Each of these parts contributes to the overall score, but the scoring is based on four main criteria that reflect the quality of your speech. These are:

• Fluency and Coherence
• Lexical Resource
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy
• Pronunciation

1. Fluency and Coherence

• What is assessed:
  Fluency refers to how easily and smoothly you speak. Coherence refers to how logically your ideas are presented and connected.
• What examiners are looking for:
  Examiners look for the ability to speak continuously with minimal hesitation. You should be able to develop your ideas and give detailed answers to questions.
• Common mistakes to avoid:
  Frequent pauses, long silences, or overly simplistic answers that lack development.
• How to improve:
  Practice speaking on a variety of topics without stopping. Use phrases like “Let me think…” or “That’s an interesting question…” to give yourself time to organize your thoughts without pausing too much.

2. Lexical Resource

• What is assessed:
  This refers to the range and accuracy of your vocabulary. Examiners want to see that you can use a variety of words and expressions, including some idiomatic phrases, that are appropriate to the topic.
• What examiners are looking for:
  Examiners expect you to use vocabulary that is suitable for the situation. You should also demonstrate the ability to paraphrase, which is when you say the same thing using different words.
• Common mistakes to avoid:
  Repeating the same basic vocabulary or using words incorrectly.
• How to improve:
  Learn topic-related vocabulary. For example, if you’re talking about education, use words like “curriculum,” “enrollment,” “academic achievement,” and “pedagogy”. Try to use synonyms to avoid repeating the same words and express ideas in different ways.

3. Grammatical Range and Accuracy

• What is assessed:
  This measures the variety and accuracy of the grammar you use. You should be able to use different types of sentences (simple, compound, complex) and use tenses correctly.
• What examiners are looking for:
  You need to demonstrate a good command of English grammar, using both basic and more complex structures with accuracy. Mistakes are acceptable, but frequent or basic errors will lower your score.
• Common mistakes to avoid:
  Misusing tenses, subject-verb agreement errors, or over-reliance on simple sentence structures.
• How to improve:
  Practice forming and using complex sentences. For example, “I’ve been studying English for five years” (present perfect) or “If I had more time, I would travel more” (conditional sentences). Always double-check the tenses and ensure you’re using them accurately.

4. Pronunciation

• What is assessed:
  Pronunciation includes how clearly you pronounce words, stress, intonation, and rhythm. It’s important that the examiner can understand you without effort.
• What examiners are looking for:
  They want to see that you can produce clear sounds and have good intonation. A slight accent is not a problem, but if it makes your speech hard to understand, it can lower your score.
• Common mistakes to avoid:
  Mispronouncing words, incorrect stress patterns, or flat intonation (which can make your speech sound unnatural).
• How to improve:
  Practice speaking aloud and recording yourself. Focus on word stress, sentence intonation, and ensuring that words are clear and not slurred. Listen to native speakers and try to mimic their pronunciation.

How Scores Are Calculated

Each of the four criteria is given a score between Band 0 and Band 9, and then the individual scores are averaged to give an overall Speaking Band score. This overall score will be reported as a whole band score (e.g., Band 6, Band 7, etc.).

Example Breakdown:

• Fluency and Coherence – Band 7
• Lexical Resource – Band 6
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy – Band 7
• Pronunciation – Band 6

Overall Speaking Band: 6.5 (average of 6, 7, 7, and 6)

Practical Tips for High-Scoring Performance

• Practice regularly: Consistent practice with a focus on fluency and coherence will help you feel more confident and articulate.
• Record and listen to yourself: This helps you identify areas of improvement, especially in pronunciation and vocabulary use.
• Use varied vocabulary and sentence structures: Don’t rely on basic words and simple sentences. Show that you can handle more complex topics with varied language.
• Be confident: Even if you’re not entirely sure about an answer, be confident in your delivery. A confident, clear response is always better than a hesitant or overly simple one.
• Time your responses: Since you’ll be answering within a time limit, practicing under timed conditions can help you manage your speaking effectively during the test.

Conclusion

Understanding how IELTS Speaking is graded is key to achieving a high score. By focusing on the four main scoring criteria “fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation” you can target your weaknesses and improve your strengths. Regular practice, using a variety of vocabulary and sentence structures, and focusing on clear pronunciation will help you succeed. Now that you know how the Speaking test is graded, let’s move forward and put these strategies into practice to help you achieve your target band score.