IELTS Speaking Marking Criteria : How IELTS Speaking is Scored

If you are preparing for the IELTS exam, it's important to know how your Speaking test will be scored. Many students wonder: What are the examiners looking for? This article explains how your speaking is assessed in IELTS test and what you need to focus on.

​The IELTS Speaking test evaluates how well you can communicate in English. The speaking test of IELTS exam lasts between 11 to 14 minutes and is conducted as a face-to-face interview with a certified examiner. But how exactly are the band scores determined in IELTS speaking test? The performance of IELTS Speaking test is evaluated based on four main criteria: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation.

Each of these IELTS exam categories is scored individually on a scale from 0 to 9, and your final band score is the average of these four scores, rounded to the nearest half or whole band. Understanding how the IELTS speaking scorea are assessed can help you focus your IELTS preparation, target your weaknesses, and ultimately achieve the band score you need for your academic or professional goals.

IELTS Speaking Band Scores: How You are Assessed?

One can check details on how IELTS speaking band score is assessed. 

1. Fluency and Coherence

The fluency and coherence in IELTS speaking test checks how smoothly you speak and how clearly your ideas are connected.

• Fluency means how well you are speaking without too many pauses, and not getting stuck trying to find words.

• Coherence means your ideas are organized and easy to follow. You use linking words like "but," "because," "for example."

For example, a Band 9 speaker speaks very smoothly, with almost no hesitation or repetition. If they pause, it’s only to think about the idea, not the language.

Tips for increasing your IELTS speaking score:

• Use linking words appropriately and connect them with your keywords.
• Expand your answers and do not forget to add all the relevant details.
• Speak with a flow in your speech and without long breaks.
• Use your pauses correctly.
• Avoid using fillers.

2. Lexical Resource

This criterion of IELTS speaking test evaluates the range and accuracy of your IELTS vocabulary.​

• Vocabulary Range means using a variety of words for IELTS speaking test (not repeating the same words too often).

• Precision means using the right word for the right meaning.

• Idioms and Phrases mean using natural, everyday expressions (like "a piece of cake" to mean something easy).

A Band 8 speaker uses many different and interesting words, and even uses some IELTS idioms or phrases correctly. You should start learning new words every day and practice using them in sentences. Don’t use big words just to impress—use them only if you’re sure they fit the sentence.

Tips for increasing your score:

• Use a wide range of vocabulary.
• Discuss distinct topics freely, using appropriate words.
• Speak in a formal or a semi formal tone.
• Choose your words wisely.
• Use the idioms if you can and only if you know the meaning and usage of it.

3. Grammatical Range and Accuracy

This criterion measures your ability to use how well you use grammar.

• Range means using different types of sentences—simple and complex.

• Accuracy means your grammar is correct most of the time.

A Band 7 speaker uses both simple and complex sentences, and most of them are correct.

Tips for increasing your score:

• Avoid making grammatical errors.
• Try to use more advanced grammatical structures (passive voice, direct speech, different tenses & conditional sentences).

4. Pronunciation

This checks how clearly you say words and how natural your speaking sounds.

• Clarity means the listener can understand you easily.
• Features include using correct stress on words, natural rhythm, and tone (like how your voice goes up and down when asking a question).

A Band 9 speaker is very easy to understand and uses good pronunciation features naturally and correctly.

In IELTS Speaking Part 1, the examiner will ask you simple questions about yourself, like your hobbies or hometown. On the other hand, to do well in IELTS Speaking Part 2, practice organizing your thoughts quickly and speaking clearly. Regularly doing an IELTS Speaking practice test helps you understand the format and find areas to improve.

Tips for increasing your score:

• Pronounce your words as correctly as you can.
• Recording your voice would help.
• Do a “talk to the mirror” speaking practice.
• Keep a note of the words that you spelt in correctly.
• Use correct intonations, your voice should not sound flat.
• Try to speak in a manner that the examiner understands you easily.

IELTS Speaking Band Description

The IELTS Speaking test is not just about speaking perfect English or having a special accent. It’s about how well you can share your ideas and talk clearly in everyday English. The test checks four main things: how smooth and clear you speak, the words you use, your grammar, and how you pronounce words. If you practice often and try to speak with confidence, you can get better in all these areas.