In the Speaking test, you have a discussion with a certified IELTS examiner. It is interactive and as close to a real-life situation.
The test is 11 to 14 minutes long with three parts.
In Part 1, you answer questions about yourself, your family, your work and your interests.
In Part 2, you speak about a topic. You will be given a task card which asks you to speak about a particular topic and includes points that you can cover in your talk. You will be given 1 minute to prepare your talk. You will then speak for 1-2 minutes.
In Part 3, you have a longer discussion on the topic. The examiner will ask you further questions connected to the topic in Part 2.
The Speaking test is the same for both Academic and General Training tests.