IELTS Speaking Test 2026: Simple Plan to Score Band 7 or Higher

Published By : Admin

February 24, 2026

If you are going abroad to study, then the IELTS Speaking Test can be intimidating. Being in front of the examiner and answering questions on the spot can be difficult. Your hands might be a little shaky. Your mind might go blank. This is normal. Almost all students feel this way.

The IELTS Speaking Test accounts for 25% of your overall IELTS score. This means it is very important. The thing is, you don’t have to have perfect English. You don’t have to have a non-native accent. You don’t have to have a lot of vocabulary.

What the examiner is really looking for is how fluent you are. Fluency is more important than perfection. They want to see if you can communicate your thoughts easily and confidently. A few grammar errors are fine. Speaking naturally is what will get you a high score.

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IELTS Speaking Part 1: Personal Q&A Format

IELTS Speaking Part 1 is the easiest part of the IELTS speaking test. It is like a conversation. The examiner asks you questions about your personal life. The questions are very common and familiar. You can be asked about your home, job, studies, hometown, hobbies, friends, or daily activities.

This part of the test will last for 4 to 5 minutes. The examiner wants to see how easily you can speak about common topics. There are no right or wrong answers. The examiner just wants to see how clearly and naturally you can speak.

Here are some common examples:

Topic	Sample Questions
Home	Do you live in a house or apartment? What do you like about your home?
Work	What kind of work do you do? Do you enjoy your job?
Studies	What are you studying? Why did you choose this subject?
Hobbies	What do you do in your free time? When did you start this hobby?

Tips for answering:

Do not answer with just one word.
Say at least 4-5 sentences.
Provide a small reason or example.
Keep your tone natural and relaxed.

For example, when the question is about your hobby, do not just give a one-line answer like, “I like dancing.” You have to elaborate. You can say, “I like dancing because I have been dancing since I was a kid. I enjoy dancing because it makes me happy. I dance every weekend.”

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IELTS Speaking Part 2: Mastering the Cue Card Monologue

For IELTS Speaking Part 2, you will be given a cue card with a topic. You will have 1 minute to prepare, and then you need to speak for 2 minutes. This part is a bit tricky as you need to speak alone without any interruptions.

The cue card will have a topic and 3-4 points to be discussed. The topics are usually:

Describe a person who inspired you
Describe a memorable event
Describe a place you visited
Describe a skill you learned

You will be given paper and a pencil. Make the most of the 1-minute preparation time. Do not attempt to write complete sentences. Just jot down small keywords to help you.

A good way to organize your response is:

1. What – Who or what is the person, event, or place?

2. Why – Why is it important or special to you?

3. How – How did it affect you or how did it happen?

For example, if the question is “Describe a person,” begin by telling who the person is and how you know them. Next, tell why you like the person. Finally, describe how the person has impacted your life. Just keep talking until the examiner tells you to stop. Do not worry about making a few errors. Your goal is to speak fluently and tell your story.

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IELTS Speaking Part 3: Discussion & Opinions

Speaking Part 3 of the IELTS exam is the final stage of the test. This part is more like a discussion. The questions asked are not as personal as in Part 1. They are more general and a bit abstract. You are required to give your opinion, reasons, and examples.

This part is related to the topic in Part 2. For instance, if your topic in Part 2 was related to traveling, your questions in Part 3 might be something like this:

How has technology affected traveling?
Do you think traveling is beneficial for a country?
What are the disadvantages of traveling in today’s world?

In this part, you cannot give short answers. You have to give a clear explanation of your opinions. Always try to give a reason and an example.

IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors Unpacked

Speaking IELTS can be very confusing for most students. However, you must be aware that the examiner will assign you a band score from 0 to 9. This will depend on four major aspects: fluency, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.

Let’s move on to the explanation of Bands 6 to 9:

Band	What It Means in Simple Language
Band 6	You can speak clearly, but sometimes hesitate. You may repeat words. Grammar mistakes happen, but your meaning is clear.
Band 7	You speak at length without much effort. Ideas are clear and well-connected. You use different words and some idioms naturally. Small mistakes may happen, but do not affect understanding.
Band 8	You speak very smoothly with confidence. You use a wide range of vocabulary. Grammar is mostly correct. Mistakes are rare and minor.
Band 9	You speak like an expert user. Your speech is fully natural, clear, and effortless. Vocabulary and grammar are almost perfect.

However, for Band 7 and above, fluency is an essential criterion. You should not hesitate much or look for words. Moreover, diversity in the form of sentences is also beneficial. For example, instead of using simple sentences, you can use reasons, examples, and comparisons.

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IELTS Speaking Test Scoring: Band 7+ Roadmap

There are four types of the IELTS Speaking test: fluency, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Each type has the same weightage in terms of marks. This means that if your grammar skills are good but your fluency is not, your overall band score might decrease. You have to work on all four types.

To achieve a band score of 7 and above, you first need to work on your fluency. Speak fluently without many pauses. It is okay to have a few pauses while thinking, but do not pause too often. Also, stop using “um,” “aaa,” or “you know” so often. These words make you seem less confident.

Second, you need to work on your vocabulary. You do not need to use complex vocabulary. You just need to avoid using the same simple vocabulary over and over again. For example, instead of saying “very good” again and again, you can use “amazing,” “helpful,” or “useful.”

Third, you need to work on your grammar. You should try to mix simple and complex sentences. Even if you have one or two complex sentences in each answer, your score will increase.

You can also look for the official IELTS public band score videos online. These videos contain real examples of Band 6, 7, and 8 speaking tests. This will give you a clear idea of the difference. Practice every day, record yourself, and speak naturally. Confidence and clarity will get you a Band 7+.

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FAQs

Can I choose computer delivery for the Speaking test?

No, the Speaking test must be done in person with an examiner.

Is the Speaking test recorded?

Yes, it is recorded for quality control and verification purposes.

How long does the Speaking test take?

It lasts around 11-14 minutes.

Can I ask the examiner to repeat the question?

Yes, you can ask them to repeat or clarify.

What if I am given an unknown topic?

Stay calm, talk generally, and talk about simple ideas related to the topic.

Do I need a foreign accent to score high?

No, you only need good pronunciation.

Are grammar errors allowed?

Yes, small errors are acceptable if your meaning is clear.

How can I improve quickly?

Practice speaking every day, record yourself, and cut down on long pauses and fillers.