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The Speaking Module
How is IELTS scored?
IELTS provides a profile of your ability to use English. In other words your IELTS
result will consist of a score in each of the four skills (listening, reading, writing,
speaking) which is then averaged to give the Overall Band Score or final mark.
Performance is rated in each skill on a scale of 9 to 1. The nine overall Bands and
their descriptive statements are as follows:
9 Expert user
Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent
with complete understanding.
8 Very good user
Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional
unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in
unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.
Requirements
You will have to talk to an examiner for about 15 minutes.
The interview will be recorded. It is in 5 parts:
1 Introduction
— Basic introductions
2 Extended discourse
— You will talk at some length about general topics of
relevance or interest which will involve explanation and
description.
3 Elicitation
— You will be given a cue card which describes a
situation or problem. You must ask the examiner ques-
tions to obtain information.
4 Speculation and attitudes
— You will be asked to talk about your plans or pro-
posed course of study. You should demonstrate your
ability to speculate or defend a point of view.
5 Conclusion
— The interview comes to an end.
Assessment criteria
You will be assessed on the
following criteria:
• ability to communicate
effectively
• ability to use appropriate
vocabulary and structures
• ability to ask questions
• ability to take initiative in
a conversation
• general fluency
• structural accuracy
• intelligibility

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8
Introdution
7 Good user
Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccura-
cies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally
handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.