How is IELTS Speaking scored? The 4 criteria, and how to lift each one
IELTS Speaking is marked by a real examiner on four equally-weighted criteria, each worth 25% of your Speaking band. There is no 'right answer' — only how well you speak. Here is what each criterion actually measures, and where the marks hide.
1. Fluency & Coherence
Can you speak at length, at a natural pace, without long pauses or constant self-correction — and does what you say hang together logically? Band-6 speakers hesitate to find words or repeat themselves; band-7 speakers keep going and link ideas smoothly, even if they make the odd mistake.
2. Lexical Resource
The range and precision of your vocabulary, including your ability to paraphrase when the exact word won't come. Idiomatic language helps at band 7 and above — but only when it's natural. Forced idioms hurt more than they help.
The only way to improve speaking is to actually speak and get feedback. Take a free IELTS mock test — you answer a real recorded examiner and get scored on all four criteria.
Take a free IELTS mock test →3. Grammatical Range & Accuracy
A mix of simple and complex structures, used accurately. You don't need perfect grammar for band 7 — you need a range of structures and enough error-free stretches that mistakes don't get in the way of meaning.
4. Pronunciation
How easy you are to understand — individual sounds, word stress, and intonation. A strong accent is completely fine; being hard to follow is not. The target is clear, natural speech, not a 'native' accent.
How to lift your band
Record yourself answering real questions and listen back for the one criterion that lets you down most — usually fluency (too many pauses) or grammar (playing it too safe). Fix that one first. Answering a real recorded examiner and then reading honest feedback on each criterion is far faster than guessing.