How Is IELTS Speaking Scored?
The IELTS Speaking test is scored based on a set of criteria known as the IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors. These descriptors outline the different levels of performance across four key areas: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation. Each of these areas is assessed on a scale of 0 to 9, and the scores are then averaged to calculate the final Speaking band score.
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2. Lexical Resource: This criterion assesses your vocabulary range and accuracy. It looks at the variety and appropriateness of your word choices, your ability to use collocations and idiomatic expressions, and your skill in paraphrasing and providing clear explanations.
3. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: This criterion focuses on your grammatical control and accuracy. It looks at your ability to use a range of grammatical structures accurately, demonstrate sentence variety, and avoid major grammatical errors.
4. Pronunciation: This criterion examines your ability to produce clear and intelligible speech. It considers factors such as pronunciation of individual sounds, word stress, sentence stress, intonation, and rhythm. It’s important to note that the IELTS Speaking test assesses pronunciation for effective communication rather than native-like accent.
A good speech should be like a woman’s skirt; long enough to cover the subject and short enough to create interest..
Winston S. Churchill
Each of these criteria is assessed independently by trained IELTS examiners, who assign a score from 0 to 9 for each area. The scores for the four criteria are then averaged to calculate your overall Speaking band score, which ranges from 0 to 9. The score you receive reflects your level of English proficiency in the Speaking section of the IELTS exam.
It’s worth mentioning that the band descriptors provide a detailed breakdown of what is expected at each level, so it can be helpful to review them to understand the specific criteria that examiners use to assess your speaking performance.
