Basics of IELTS Speaking Test, explains Omkar M.

Omkar, a packaging design graduate has over a decade’s experience as a designer, consultant for brand management and is also a trainer in technology and soft skills. He also trains students to prepare for the IELTS exam since the last 6 years. While offline IELTS tuition is offered at his own residence, online classes happen via skype, hangouts and so on. Today, the mentor answers ten basic questions that IELTS aspirants usually find difficult to understand in the listening section of the exam. Don’t miss the golden tips answered at the end. 1) How is the speaking section of IELTS test recorded? IELTS speaking test is recorded using a recorder which the examiner carries during the test process. It will be mentioned to the candidate that the exam is being recorded. 2) Is there a real life examiner during IELTS Speaking test? What is the examiners role during the Speaking test session? Yes, there is an examiner who would be conducting the test personally. The role of the examiner is to assess the candidate on his/her speaking ability, and also to judge how confidently the candidate can answer the queries put across. It helps the examiner judge the extent of command the candidate has on the English language. 3) Who assesses IELTS Speaking test that is recorded? The examiners for IELTS are experienced and trained to assess the performance of the candidate. Once the recording is done, the examiner will rate the candidate based on what he/she observed while having the conversation during the different parts of the test. 4) What are the parameters that are judged during IELTS speaking test? A candidate will be tested on four major points: Grammar, Vocabulary, Pronunciation and Fluency. The overall ability to communicate effectively is also tested by the examiner. 5) Can you mention 5 common questions for the first (introductory) session of IELTS Speaking test? Some common questions a candidate might come across include the following: What is your job? , Where is your Hometown? , What is your best memory from childhood? , What kind of clothes do you usually wear? , What is your favourite food? The first part of the test is more about the examiner getting to know the candidate as a person. 6) Please share ten common topics on which students can practice for IELTS Speaking test? Some common topics that a candidate might encounter are the following: 1) Describe yourself. 2) Talk about your education. 3) Describe your hometown. 4) Talk about the weather in your country. 5) Talk about a place you travelled and you liked. 6) Do you think computers help the society? 7) What is your view on the internet revolution? 8) Talk about your hobbies. 9) Talk about your favourite food. 10) Talk about your favourite sport. 7) Is it okay to speak biased or opinionated during IELTS Speaking test? The examiner is testing the candidate on the basis of communication and the ability to speak as normally as possible. Its OK to be opinionated, as long as no offensive terms are used during the conversation. The idea is to know how the candidate responds to various queries being made, hence providing an opinion is alright. 8) Is the speaking test structure different between IELTS General and academic test? Explain. The Speaking test is the same for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General tests. Only the other formats have certain changes.

9) Are voice, tone or confidence judged in IELTS Speaking test?

Yes, your Voice, Tone and Confidence will play a major role in the IELTS speaking test. IELTS as a test is to measure a candidate’s ability to communicate freely in English. Hence your willingness to speak confidently on various topics or answering queries being put across along with a friendly tone and voice will be an asset. 10) 3 point of advice for students to perform brilliant in IELTS Speaking test. Here are 3 tips that can help: 1) Don’t provide very short or uncommunicative responses to questions. 2) Speak fluently without hesitation. 3) Pay attention to pronunciation and grammar while speaking. Useful tips to prepare for speaking section shares Omkar: For any further questions about IELTS and any of its exam section, you can connect with Omkar here.