Before you take your IELTS speaking exam don’t you think it would be a a good idea to know what the examiners are looking for? What’s the difference between a band 5 and a band 6 ? What do you have to do to get a band 7 ? Why do some people get band 8? What’s the difference between a 7 and 8, or the difference between 8 and 9?

First of all, it’s important to know, you’ll be examined in 4 skills for speaking. The first skill is called fluency and coherence. Coherence means the quality of being logical and consistent. IELTS students who score a band score 1 is totally incoherent. There is no fluency. 

Speakers who score a band score 2 have long pauses before nearly every word. Students who score a 3 have frequent long pauses as they search for words, while learners who get a band score 4 can make simple sentences, but they may repeat them selves, their speech might be slow, and they are unable to keep going. 

Learners who manage to score a 5 are usually able to keep going, that is, speak at length, but they rely on repetition and their speech might be slow. They might use connectives like ‘and’, ‘but’ and ‘because’ however, they might use the same connectors too much. If a band score 5 tries to use more complex speech they might struggle, but simple language can be produced fluently.

Those who score a band 6 always try to keep talking, and they are able to speak at length. They might hesitate, or self-correct, or repeat themselves, but we can generally understand them. Band 6 students can use a variety of cohesive devices like ‘To be honest’, ‘I have to admit’ and ‘In my opinion’, but they might make some mistakes.

Students who are good enough to score a band 7 can keep talking easily. They might hesitate mid sentence to look for words, but it doesn’t affect coherence. We understand band 7’s easily. They can use a wide range of connecting words and cohesive devices.

Students who score an 8 are basically fluent with only very occasional repetition or self-correction. When band 8’s hesitate, it isn’t usually to search for words, it’s to think about the subject matter, content related rather than word-related. Band 8’s can develop and discuss a topic easily with relevant and appropriate language.

Students who score a band 9 are fluent English speakers. They might hesitate during speech but only to think about what they want to say, not to find the right vocabulary. Band 9’s can develop a topic and elaborate on the subject matter in detail.

What band score are you hoping for?