Tips to ace your IELTS Speaking Score

A lot of people consider the IELTS speaking test as the toughest one out there. You have to put in a considerable effort to score well in the IELTS exam. You need to work on a lot of things like your communication skills, your pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, etc. And most important of all, you have to prepare your mind to be able to promptly speak in front of the examiner to ace your speaking test.

Most of the time, people prepare well for it but fail to perform at the time of the examination. There are plenty of reasons why people find IELTS the most challenging exam. However, if the focus and direction of your preparation are right, no one can stop you from scoring well. And this article will help you do exactly that!

In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about the IELTS speaking test. We’ll inform you about the IELTS speaking score, how it is calculated, and also give you some tips on how to improve your IELTS speaking score.

So, let's get started!

What Is The Format Of The Exam?

The IELTS speaking exam is divided into 3 parts. Let's have a look at them.

Part - 1

In part 1 of your IELTS speaking test, you will be having a conversation with the examiner for about four to five minutes. It can be related to your interests, work, home, family, etc.

Part - 2

In Part 2, you will receive a card with a topic written on it. You are expected to speak on that topic for two minutes. You'll be given one minute to prepare the answer. During this time, you are supposed to note down the points that you can use for your speech. For this purpose, they will also provide you with a pen and paper.

Part - 3

People often find the last part most difficult as it involves discussing your Part-2 topic with the examiner. The examiner will ask you a few questions that you'll have to answer in detail.

And while doing all of this, you also (most importantly) have to take care of your language. You must try to speak fluently and use correct grammar at all times.

How is the IELTS speaking score given?

So, before getting into how to improve IELTS speaking score, let us first understand what you need to work on and how the IELTS score is calculated. Here is the list of the things based on which your examiner will assess you for the speaking test.

• Your ability to speak the English language fluently and without any hesitation

• Correct use of vocabulary

• Grammar range and accuracy

• Pronunciation of words

We know how overwhelmed some of you might be feeling after knowing all of these things. But there's no need to worry as we have got you some valuable tips below which if followed properly will undoubtedly increase your IELTS speaking score.

Tips to ace IELTS speaking score

1. Try not to use and memorise already prepared answers

Everyone wants to do well in their exams, and I understand how difficult it is to come up with an impressive answer on the spot. However, in an attempt to sound impressive, you might lose marks if your answers sound premeditated.

You need to remember that your examiner is an experienced person; they have assessed thousands of students before you. So, if you memorise your answers and utter them as is during your IELTS speaking test, the examiner will get to know.

It might give the examiner a lousy impression and affect your IELTS speaking score. Therefore, it is recommended to not memorise your answers. Instead, you should make a list of points that you can use while answering.

2. Do not use words and phrases that you don’t know

As much impression you can make by using difficult vocabulary, you will lose by using a fancy word incorrectly. You need to avoid using the vocabulary that you are unfamiliar with, especially in the second part of your IELTS speaking test, as you might be asked to explain the words or phrases later in the third part. Therefore use the vocabulary that you are sure about and can explain.

3. Don’t bother too much about the accent

As we said, the examiner has taken thousands of tests earlier. So, most likely he/she will be able to understand the different accents you may use. The accent is not something you should be worried about. You can speak in any accent that you are comfortable with.

4. Use varied grammar structures

Grammatical range and accuracy are important testing components of your IELTS test. Therefore, try using different grammar structures; you can use a blend of simple and complex sentences while speaking. But at the same time, also make sure that you use the right grammar in the sentences you frame.

5. Avoid speaking in a monotone

Speaking in a monotone, you won't be able to send a clear message out there. The examiner will not know what points of your speech are important. Therefore, try to use hand gestures, stress the important points, and use varied tones to send a clear message.

6. Try not to use fillers

Fillers fill in for what we do not exactly know. So, if you use any fillers like, well, umm, you know, etc., the examiner will think that you do not know the topic or the answer. Therefore, avoid using them to the extent possible.

7. Practice the common topics

Practice makes a man perfect! This phrase fits in well for your IELTS exam. There are various sample topics available on the internet that you can use to practice and improve your IELTS exam score. You can practice them daily to work on your fluency and gather content.

These topics may include education, family, advertising, environment, sports, internet, etc.

8. THINK. SPEAK.

We all need some time to frame the answers after listening to and processing the question. The examiner, too, understands that. So, you can take a small pause before answering some questions. It will help maintain the quality of your answer. And if you rush to the answer, there are chances of you speaking something wrong. Thus, it is okay to take a short pause before you speak.

9. Try to extend your answers

You need to be clear on what you are speaking. If you talk about a topic leaving some things unclear, the examiner may ask you some follow-up questions based on your vague answer. Thus, it is better to extend your answer a bit to explain your point properly.

10. Smile :)

Smiling is a helpful tool to use in any situation, and your IELTS exam is no exception. When we smile, our mouth opens widely, our nerves relax, and our tone becomes more friendly. This will send positive vibes and will also help you in improving your pronunciations. The idea is to look comfortable and friendly during your evaluation. But make sure that you don’t over do it as well.

Remember the above-mentioned points before and while giving your exam. The main thing that matters the most is your ‘confidence’. So stay confident throughout the IELTS exam. We hope these tips help you in improving your IELTS score. All the best!

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