Recently, I did something that many of you are probably preparing for, or even dreading, right now... I took the official IELTS test, including the speaking exam. And when the results came in, I saw a perfect Band 9 in Speaking.
My Official Band 9 Score, Breakdown & TRF for Verification
Today, I want to show you the exact blueprint that gets a score like that. Hi, I'm Matt from SpeakPrac, and welcome to Lesson 2 of the Ultimate IELTS English Speaking Course! In this lesson, we'll break down the IELTS speaking criteria – the four key pillars that determine your band score. Understanding these speaking IELTS criteria is like having the examiner's secret playbook.
Why Understanding the IELTS Speaking Marking Criteria Is Crucial
Imagine you're playing a game, but you don't know the rules. How can you win? It's the same with IELTS. If you don't know how you're being scored, you're essentially flying blind. Knowing the IELTS speaking marking criteria helps you focus your practice on what truly matters, saving you time and boosting your confidence.
The examiners use four key criteria to assess your speaking, and each one is worth 25% of your total speaking score. Think of them as the four wheels of a car – you need all of them rolling smoothly to reach your destination, which is your target band score!
The "Big Four" Pillars of IELTS Speaking Criteria
So, what are these "Big Four" Pillars that make up the IELTS speaking criteria? They are:
Fluency and Coherence
How smoothly and logically you speak
Pronunciation
How clearly and naturally you speak
Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)
The range and accuracy of your word choices
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
The variety and correctness of your grammar
Remember Our Core Belief
When you see that list, it can feel intimidating. I get it. But this is the single most important moment to remember our core belief here at SpeakPrac: Anyone can speak English. These four criteria are not a wall to stop you. They are a roadmap to guide you. Understanding them is how you unlock your potential.
1. Fluency and Coherence: The Art of Smooth & Sensible Talk
First up, Fluency and Coherence. This sounds like two things, and it kind of is, but they're deeply connected within the IELTS speaking marking criteria.
What it Really Means (In Plain English)
Fluency is all about how smoothly, continuously, and naturally you speak. It's not about speaking super fast! Think of a flowing river – that's good fluency. A river that's constantly stopping, starting, or getting blocked by rocks? That's what poor fluency sounds like – too many unnatural pauses, hesitations (like "ummm," "uhhh" all the time), or self-corrections that break the flow.
Coherence is about how logical and easy to follow your ideas are. Are you answering the question directly? Do your ideas connect clearly? Think of it like building with toy blocks – each piece (your ideas) should connect neatly to the next to create a solid structure. If your ideas are all over the place, your block tower will wobble!
The Examiner's Checklist (What They're Listening For)
- Speaking at a natural pace: Not too fast, not too slow. Just a comfortable rhythm.
- Keeping hesitations natural: Everyone hesitates a bit, even native speakers! It's unnatural or excessive hesitation that's a problem, especially if it's because you're searching for words or grammar.
- Developing your answers: Don't just give one-word answers. Extend your responses, explain your points, give examples. The length will vary by part, but always aim to say enough.
- Using linking words and phrases naturally: Words like "however," "so," "because," "another reason is..." help guide the listener. But don't overdo it or use overly formal ones that sound out of place in conversation.
Common Pitfalls (Where Test-Takers Go Wrong)
Overthinking answers
Trying to come up with the "perfect" answer often leads to long pauses and kills fluency. It's a speaking test, not an ideas test!
Stopping too early in Part 2
You need to keep talking for the full two minutes, or until the examiner stops you.
Not actually answering the question asked
This is a big one for coherence. Listen carefully!
Bridging the Gap: Band 7 to Band 8 Insights
So, what does this actually sound like in the test? Let's make this concrete. Imagine the examiner asks you: "Why do you think travelling is important?"
Band 7 Example
"Umm... I think... travelling is, uh, important because it… it helps people to, like, learn about other cultures. And, uh, also… another thing is that people can relax when they go on holiday."
The speaker answers the question and connects their ideas. But there's noticeable hesitation to find words, like "umm" and "uh," and the linking words are a bit basic and repetitive, like "because" and "and also." It gets the job done, but it's not seamless.
Band 8 Example
"Well, I believe travelling plays a vital role in broadening our perspective. For one thing, it exposes us to cultures and traditions vastly different from our own. On top of that, it provides a fantastic opportunity to simply unwind and recharge, which is something we all need in our fast-paced lives."
See the difference? The flow is much smoother. Any slight pause is to structure the thought, not to search for the language. The cohesive devices are more flexible and sophisticated – "For one thing," "On top of that." The ideas are connected logically and developed with ease.
2. Pronunciation: Speaking Clearly and Naturally
Next up, Pronunciation! This is about how clear and understandable your speech is – a crucial part of the speaking IELTS criteria.
What it Really Means (In Plain English)
It's NOT about having a perfect British, Australian or North American accent! Of course, if you have mastered any of these accents, then this can help but make sure you're consistent with your accent. And please, don't try to fake an accent – it often sounds unnatural and can even make you harder to understand. Pronunciation is about:
- Clarity: Can the examiner understand your words easily without straining? This means producing individual sounds correctly.
- Word Stress: Emphasizing the right syllable in a word (e.g., "PHO-to-graph" vs. "pho-TO-graph").
- Sentence Stress: Emphasizing key words in a sentence to convey meaning.
- Intonation: The "music" of your voice – how it rises and falls to show meaning, emotion, or to distinguish questions from statements. A flat, robotic intonation is hard to listen to.
- Connected Speech: How sounds link together smoothly between words (e.g., "I want to" can sound like "I wanna").
The Examiner's Checklist (What They're Listening For)
- Overall intelligibility: Can they understand you easily throughout the test?
- Accurate production of individual sounds: Are your /θ/ (th) sounds clear? Your /r/ and /l/? (e.g., "that" vs "tat", "dat" vs "fat"; "right" vs "light")
- Appropriate use of stress and intonation: Does your speech have a natural rhythm and melody?
- Features of connected speech: That make you sound more natural and less stilted.
Common Pitfalls (Where Test-Takers Go Wrong)
- L1 interference: Features of your native language making some English sounds difficult (e.g., mixing up 'v' and 'w' ["I vonder what the time is"], or 'p' and 'b' ["pill" and "bill"]).
- Speaking too flatly (monotone): Lack of intonation makes you sound uninterested and can be hard to follow.
- Over-enunciating every single word: This can sound unnatural and break the flow, hindering connected speech.
- Mispronouncing common words: So badly that the examiner can't understand them.
Bridging the Gap: Band 7 to Band 8 Insights
Let's put this to the test. Remember, it's not about the accent, it's about clarity. Imagine a candidate is trying to say the sentence: "I think the third reason is really important."
Band 7 Example
"I tink de tird reason is really important."
You can understand the message, but the 'th' sounds are produced as 't' and 'd', a common issue. It requires a little bit of work from the listener.
Band 8 Example
"I think the third reason is really important."
The sounds are precise. But more than that, notice the stress on "third" and "really"? That's sentence stress. It adds meaning and makes the speech sound natural and engaging. That control over the finer features of pronunciation is what separates a Band 7 from a Band 8.
3. Lexical Resource (Vocabulary): Your Word Powerhouse
Alright, let's talk about Lexical Resource, or as we all know it, Vocabulary! This is about the words you use and how well you use them – a key component of the IELTS speaking criteria.
What it Really Means (In Plain English)
It's not just about using "big" or "difficult" words. It's about:
- Range: Can you use a variety of words appropriate to different topics? Think of it like a painter's palette – do you have many colors to choose from, or just a few?
- Precision: Are you using the right word for the meaning you want to convey?
- Appropriacy: Is the word suitable for the context (e.g., not too formal in a casual chat, not too slangy)?
- Collocations: Do you use words that naturally go together (e.g., "make a mistake," not "do a mistake"; "heavy rain," not "big rain")?
- Idiomatic language: Using phrases or expressions naturally, like a native speaker might (e.g., "it costs an arm and a leg," "I'm over the moon"). But be careful with these!
The Examiner's Checklist (What They're Listening For)
- Topic-specific vocabulary: If you're talking about the environment, can you use words like "pollution," "conservation," "renewable energy"? This shows your range.
- Using less common words accurately: This doesn't mean obscure words, but words beyond basic vocabulary.
- Paraphrasing effectively: If you can't think of a specific word, can you explain it using other words? This is a great skill!
- Accuracy in word choice and form: Using the correct noun, verb, adjective form, and meaning.
Common Pitfalls (Where Test-Takers Go Wrong)
Trying to force in "impressive" words
This often backfires. If you misuse a complex word (wrong meaning, wrong collocation, mispronounced), it's much worse than using a simpler word correctly.
Overusing idioms or using them incorrectly
A few well-placed, natural idioms are great. Stuffing them into every sentence or getting them wrong sounds very unnatural.
Repeating the same simple words
If you only say "good," "nice," "bad," it shows a limited range.
Bridging the Gap: Band 7 to Band 8 Insights
Let's look at an example. The examiner asks: "What do you find satisfying about your work?"
Band 7 Example
"I like my job because I can help people. It's a very good feeling when I solve a customer's problem. Also, my work is interesting and the people I work with are very nice."
This is a solid answer! The meaning is clear. But notice the vocabulary: "help people," "good feeling," "interesting," "nice." They are all good, but very common words.
Band 8 Example
"For me, the most fulfilling aspect of my work is the tangible impact it has. There's a real sense of accomplishment when you collaborate with a team to resolve a complex issue for a client. That collaborative and supportive environment is truly invaluable."
Did you hear the difference in word power? Instead of "good feeling," they said "fulfilling aspect" and "sense of accomplishment." Instead of "nice people," they talked about a "collaborative and supportive environment." They are using precise, less common, and more impactful words.
4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Building Strong Sentences
Last but definitely not least, Grammar – specifically Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Another two-parter in the IELTS speaking marking criteria!
What it Really Means (In Plain English)
Range: This is about using a variety of sentence structures, not just simple sentences. Can you use complex sentences (sentences with multiple clauses, like using "although," "because," "which")? Can you use different tenses correctly? Think of it like a musician who can play many different chords and melodies, not just a few basic notes.
Accuracy: This is about how correctly you use those grammatical structures. Are your sentences free of errors? Or are there frequent mistakes that make it hard to understand you? The aim is to have a high proportion of error-free sentences.
The Examiner's Checklist (What They're Listening For)
- Using a mix of simple and complex sentence structures: You don't need every sentence to be super complex, but you need to show you can use them.
- Accurate use of tenses: Can you talk about the past, present, and future correctly based on the questions?
- Control over grammar: Few errors, especially basic ones (e.g., subject-verb agreement, articles, prepositions). The examiner is listening to see if your grammar helps or hinders communication.
Common Pitfalls (Where Test-Takers Go Wrong)
- Making too many basic errors: Mistakes with simple tenses, plurals, or articles can really pull your score down.
- Only using simple sentences: "I like dogs. Dogs are friendly. I have a dog." This shows a limited range.
- Trying to use overly complex grammar they haven't mastered: This often leads to more errors and confusion, which is counterproductive.
- Systematic errors: These are mistakes you make repeatedly, often influenced by your first language (e.g., always missing articles if your L1 doesn't use them).
Bridging the Gap: Band 7 to Band 8 Insights
Let's demonstrate this with a final example. Imagine the question is: "How has your hometown changed over the last ten years?"
Band 7 Example
"My hometown changed a lot. They have built many new apartments. Although the new buildings are modern, but I feel it has lost some of its old character. Also, there is more cars now."
We see a good attempt at a complex sentence with "Although." But there's a common mistake: you don't use "but" after "Although." There are also some small errors like "there is more cars" instead of "there are more cars." The grammar is good, but not perfect.
Band 8 Example
"My hometown has undergone a significant transformation. One of the most noticeable changes has been the rapid construction of high-rise apartments, which has completely altered the skyline. While these developments have brought in more residents, a consequence has been that the infrastructure is now struggling to keep up."
The difference is control and variety. This response uses the present perfect ("has undergone"), a relative clause ("which has completely altered..."), and a complex sentence starting with "While...". The sentences are almost all error-free. That high level of accuracy and flexible use of different structures is what examiners are listening for in a Band 8 performance.
What is Your Current IELTS Speaking Band Score?
Okay, we've just unpacked the four pillars: Fluency and Coherence, Pronunciation, Lexical Resource, and Grammar. You now have the examiner's playbook. But theory is one thing. The real question is: where do you stand right now? You might have a number in your head, a Band 6, maybe a 7.5... but is that just a guess?
To truly improve, we need a data-driven baseline. Understanding the IELTS speaking marking criteria is just the first step – you need to know how you measure against these standards right now.
The Power of Three Method
There's fascinating research in applied linguistics that shows massive fluency gains when learners repeat a speaking task three times. The first time you speak, your brain is working hard just to find the words and structure. The second time, after getting feedback, you start making conscious improvements. But the third time... that's where the magic happens. The new vocabulary, the smoother connections—they start to become automatic.
Using Technology to Assess Your Speaking
Our SpeakPrac app has an Instant Band Score Estimator that analyzes your speech against the very speaking IELTS criteria we just discussed. It's more than just an IELTS speaking score calculator; it provides a detailed breakdown of your performance across all four criteria.
The app measures key fluency metrics like Words Per Minute (WPM), Pauses Per Hundred Words (PHW), and Average Pause Duration (APD), then provides targeted feedback on exactly what to improve. This gives you the roadmap to move from your current band score to your target score.
From Understanding to Action: Your Improvement Plan
Now that you understand the IELTS speaking criteria, here's how to turn this knowledge into real improvement:
Focused Practice Strategies
For Fluency and Coherence
- Practice speaking for 2 minutes without stopping
- Record yourself and count unnatural pauses
- Learn natural linking phrases ("What's more," "On top of that")
- Work on the Fluency and Coherence lesson
For Pronunciation
- Focus on problematic sounds from your native language
- Practice word and sentence stress patterns
- Work on intonation – make your voice "musical"
- Use our Pronunciation Flashcards
For Vocabulary
- Learn topic-specific vocabulary for common IELTS themes
- Practice collocations, not just individual words
- Master paraphrasing techniques
- Explore our Vocabulary Flashcards
For Grammar
- Master complex sentence structures gradually
- Focus on accuracy first, then range
- Identify and fix your systematic errors
- Practice with our Grammar Flashcards
Key Takeaways: Your Criteria Mastery Checklist
When I achieved my Band 9 in IELTS Speaking, it wasn't because I impressed the examiner with overly complex vocabulary or grammar in every sentence. Success comes from understanding and systematically addressing each of the four IELTS speaking criteria.
Remember These Fundamentals
- Each criterion (Fluency & Coherence, Pronunciation, Vocabulary, Grammar) is worth 25% of your score
- You need all four "wheels" working together – weakness in one area can limit your overall score
- Band 8+ performance requires natural fluency, clear pronunciation, precise vocabulary, and accurate complex grammar
- Focus on communication effectiveness over showing off advanced language
- Practice with feedback using the "Power of Three" method
- Understand your current baseline to create a targeted improvement plan
Your Next Steps
Now that you have the examiner's secret playbook, it's time to put these IELTS speaking marking criteria into practice. Start by assessing your current level, then focus your practice on the specific areas where you need improvement. Remember: targeted practice with clear criteria beats random speaking practice every time.
Understanding the speaking IELTS criteria is one thing... but starting the test with confidence is another. How you handle those first few moments of the test can set the entire tone for your performance. That's exactly what we'll be unpacking in our next lesson as we dive deep into mastering IELTS Speaking Part 1.
Previous Lesson
Learn about the IELTS Speaking test format, timing, and what to expect on test day.
Lesson 1: What is IELTS Speaking?Next Lesson
Master the introduction and interview section with proven strategies for Part 1.
Lesson 3: Part 1 ExplainedContinue Your IELTS Speaking Journey
This lesson is part of our comprehensive Ultimate IELTS English Speaking Course. Each lesson builds on the previous one to give you complete mastery of the IELTS Speaking test.
