IELTS Speaking is a short interview — about 11 to 14 minutes — with a real examiner (in person or by video). It's the same for Academic and General Training. Because it's a conversation, the best preparation is speaking out loud, often, not memorising answers.
The short version
•About 11–14 minutes, three parts, with a real examiner; same for both test types.
•Part 2 = a 1-minute prep then a 1–2 minute talk from a cue card.
•Don't memorise answers — examiners detect it and it lowers your score.
•Marked on Fluency, Lexical Resource, Grammar, and Pronunciation.
The three parts
Part 1 is an introduction and familiar questions about you (home, work, interests). Part 2 is the 'long turn': you get a cue card with a topic, one minute to prepare with notes, then speak for one to two minutes. Part 3 is a discussion of more abstract questions linked to the Part 2 topic.
Memorised answers hurt you — examiners are trained to spot them. Natural, extended responses score better.
What examiners listen for
Speaking is marked on Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation. You don't need a perfect accent — you need to be clear, keep going, use a range of vocabulary and grammar, and organise your ideas.
Practice speaking on a timer, record yourself, and extend every answer with reasons and examples. Talking to yourself in English daily is genuinely effective.
Frequently asked
How long is the IELTS Speaking test?
About 11 to 14 minutes, in three parts, conducted by a trained examiner in person or by video call. It's the same for Academic and General Training.
What is the IELTS Speaking cue card?
In Part 2 you're given a card with a topic and prompts. You get one minute to make notes, then speak for one to two minutes on it before the examiner asks follow-up questions.
Does my accent affect my IELTS Speaking score?
Not directly — pronunciation is marked on clarity, not on having a particular accent. Being easy to understand, fluent, and varied in vocabulary and grammar matters far more.