How can I get high score in ielts speaking?

The IELTS Speaking section assesses your use of spoken English and is the same for both the General Training and Academic test. All speaking tests are conducted face-to-face with a certified IELTS examiner and are recorded in case they need to be reviewed.

The Speaking section takes between 11 and 14 minutes and consists of 3 parts. You will see the available Speaking test slots when you book your test, or you may contact your test center to find out when the Speaking test is held. After registration, you may confirm with your test center the date and time of your Speaking test.

How can I improve my speaking in IELTS?

In the IELTS Speaking test, it is easy for test takers to feel anxious, at a loss for words & consequently become unable to answer the question properly.

This is partly due to trying to think and speak at the same time. Sometimes, test takers try to think in their own language and translate their ideas into English at the same time, which is not recommended in an IELTS test.

By reading through our IELTS Speaking tips, you will be better prepared and more confident on your test day.

• Tip 1: Don't memorise answers

• Tip 2: Don't use big and unfamiliar words

• Tip 3: Use a range of grammatical structures

• Tip 4: Don't worry about your accent

• Tip 5: Pause to think

• Tip 6: Avoid using fillers

• Tip 7: Extend your answers

• Tip 8: Smiling helps pronunciation

• Tip 9: Don't speak in a monotone

• Tip 10: Practice common IELTS topics

As the saying goes, practice makes perfect, so with plenty of practice you will be well on your way to getting the band score you need in your IELTS Speaking test.

Is it OK to use idioms in IELTS Speaking?

Of course, you can! You are advised to use a wide range of vocabulary and show the examiner that you can use natural idiomatic language.

Here are some common idioms that can be used in IELTS Speaking but remember do not repeat them. IELTS examiners are listening for the variety of language and synonyms that you use. Focus on using a variety of language and synonyms.

Can I use collocations in IELTS Speaking?

Yes, you should. Using collocations (words that go together regularly in English) in IELTS Speaking makes your English sound more authentic and can improve your score. Here are some examples:

• Do an exam or take an exam (not make an exam)

• Bright idea

• Foot the bill

• Strong criticism

• Solve a problem

• Highly successful

Practice should be a key part of your IELTS Speaking preparation. You need to show the IELTS examiner that you have the language skills to communicate clearly and naturally in English. You can always refer to our IELTS Prepare hub, which will help you to practise and be well on your way to getting the band score you need in your IELTS Speaking test

For more information, contact IDP IELTS or visit your local IDP office to book your IELTS test.

Everybody wants to get a high score in IELTS Speaking.

However, it seems to me that a lot of students are preparing for IELTS Speaking the wrong way.

They are using tips they pick up off ‘anybody’ on the Internet. 

If you’re following the wrong advice, you may end up with a much lower score than you deserve.

Let’s fix that right now with 8 powerful strategies you can use to get a high score in IELTS Speaking.

Table of Contents

Be Patient

Only book your test when you’re ready!

Some students ask me for a study plan to go from band 4 to band 8 in 4 months. 

I am afraid that is impossible! 

You will need at least 120 hours of guided study to go up a Band.

If you study 1 hour / day (5 hours a week), it will take you 24 weeks or 6 months. 

Being ready means to be sure…

1. you have the correct level of English (or slightly higher, because remember you will perform slightly lower than your real level in the exam, due to nerves)
2. you are familiar with the test format. 

Knowing the test format includes knowing,

• The common topics
• Part 1 answers are fairly short, around 15 seconds
• In Part 2 you should try to speak for up to 2 minutes 
• You can make notes and keep them as you talk
• In Part 3 the examiner will interrupt a lot

Get a High Score by Building Flexibility

The mistake most people make is they find the IELTS Speaking questions on Internet and then write down an answer, and learn that one fixed answer.

You may think this gives you confidence.

But it won’t work. 

If you memorise the answer the examiner will know and mark you down. 

You have no flexibility.

What you should do is find some questions and practice answering the same questions in 2 or 3 different ways.

Build Your Vocabulary

To get a high score in IELTS Speaking you should remember to make good use of a wide range of language, including:

• Adjectives
• Adverbs 
• Collocations 
• Idioms 

Here are some simple examples:

Adjectives (used to describe nouns)

• Outstanding 
• Fantastic 
• Top-notch 

Adverbs (used to describe verbs or adjectives)

• Immensely useful 
• Extremely powerful 
• Hugely helpful

Collocations (words that commonly go together)

• Have a shower
• Take a shower
• A refreshing shower

Idioms

Don’t over-use idioms, just use a few in the test.

• I was tickled pink about it (very happy)
• I was full of beans (full of energy)

Fix Your Grammar Mistakes

Get feedback from a teacher to help you discover the common grammar mistakes you always make.

Fix those mistakes with 

• Practice 
• Repetition
• Repetition in different contexts

I teach a great way to start using grammar without thinking in my FLUENT GRAMMAR in IELTS SPEAKING online course

Get A Balance

When trying to get a high score in IELTS Speaking some students try to create very complex sentences, thinking these ‘band 9’ sentences will get them a high score.

However, what actually happens is they sound unnatural and not at all English. 

This will give you a low score. 

For example, a student may create a sentence like this: 

There is a plethora of pernicious activities effectuated by personages on the heavenly body known as earth.

Totally unnatural!

You will need to mix both simple and complex language in your answers. 

Something like this is much better: 

There are lots of harmful activities carried out by humans on our planet 

Or

There are lots of detrimental activities carried out by people on our planet 

Get a balance!

Don’t Memorise Answers in the IELTS Speaking Test

If you memorise your answers for Part 1, Part 2 or even Part 3, the examiner will know and you won’t get a high score. 

You will be marked down.

That said, when learning a language, memorising words is a great technique. 

Indeed you can memorise 

• words 
• chunks
• phrases 

but not whole sentences and certainly not whole answers. 

Start Your IELTS Speaking Test with Simplicity

At the beginning of the IELTS Speaking test, in Part 1 when you get the ‘warm up‘ questions about your name, what you do or where you live, then give simple answers. 

This will help you warm up, and get used to the examiner.

Then as you warm up, you can start to give more complex answers. 

This will help you build your confidence slowly at the start of the test. 

Prepare Your Mindset to Get a High Score

When preparing for IELTS Speaking, students remember to build their language skills and get familiar with the test format, including common topics, but many forget their mindset.

They don’t realise how important your mental preparation is. 

You need to believe in yourself.

Remember the test is a conversation, not a police interrogation, and most examiners want you to succeed. 

Before entering the test room, relax and start to think you are going to enjoy the test. 

Start to think, you are going to succeed. You have spent a long time getting ready, you can get the score you need. 

Get mentally prepared and you will have a much better chance of getting a high score in your IELTS Speaking test.

Good luck.

Leave a comment below and let me know what you are doing to get ready for your IELTS test. 

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