Speaking
One examiner, face to face or by video call, and the whole interview is recorded. There is no 'correct' opinion — you are marked on the English, not the ideas.
| Part | Focus | Format | Items |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction & interview | 4–5 minutes | 3 familiar topics |
| 2 | Long turn (cue card) | 1 minute preparation · 1–2 minutes speaking | 1 cue card |
| 3 | Discussion | 4–5 minutes | Abstract questions |
Answer questions on home, work, study, hobbies and routines.
What it tests: Fluency on familiar ground — answers of 2–3 sentences, not one word.
Speak alone on a topic, covering the three bullet points and the final 'and explain…'.
What it tests: Extended, organised speech without prompting, plus narrative tenses.
Discuss wider, more abstract issues connected to the Part 2 topic.
What it tests: Speculation, comparison, justification and hedging — where Band 7 is won.
The four assessment criteria
Equally weighted. Your Speaking band is their average.
Speaking at length without unnatural pausing; linking ideas so they are easy to follow.
Range and precision of vocabulary, including collocation, idiom and paraphrase.
A mix of simple and complex structures with most sentences error-free.
Individual sounds, word and sentence stress, intonation — judged on how easy you are to follow.