Feedback on IELTS test performance

Cristina, a nurse in the Philippines, needs to get band score 7 in speaking with an overall score of at least 6.5 in IELTS (International English Language Testing System). She wrote this:

“I took IELTS twice in the last few weeks, and I managed to improve my writing score from 6.5 to 7.0. Sadly, however, I got 6.5 for speaking both times.

“Can the test centre give me feedback on specific aspects in the ielts speaking test?”

Here’s my reply: There’s no doubt that you need well-developed English skills to get band 7 in any skill area (listening, reading, writing and speaking).

However, as you’ve found, it’s particularly challenging to get a high band score in the ielts speaking test. That’s partly because it’s a productive skill and not a receptive skill.

[IELTS Article] What is speaking fluency ?

Some reasons Why IELTS candidates lose marks for fluency and some ways to overcome them

The speaking test in IELTS (the International English Language Testing System) takes between 11 to 14 minutes. The examiner will rate you in four areas:

• How well you can speak fluently and coherently.
• How effective your vocabulary is.
• How accurate and appropriate your grammar is.
• How clear your pronunciation is.

You’ll be given a mark for each area, and the marks will then be averaged to give your speaking test band score.

Let’s look at fluency. Many people think that speaking fluently means being able to speak perfectly (or very well) or speaking quickly. However, they’re wrong. “Speaking fluently” means being able to speak smoothly and continuously. In other words, with little or no pausing (or breaks), repetition and corrections when speaking.

In the speaking test, aim to speak at a relaxed pace. Your delivery should sound smooth, not “stop-start.” Of course, because you need to think about what you’re going to say, it’s natural to pause now and again when speaking. This is accepted as a normal part of speaking in any language, and you won’t be penalised if you do that in the IELTS speaking test.

In contrast, you may lose marks if you show you’re having difficulty knowing what to say or how to say it. This will become evident if you repeat or correct yourself, speak slowly, often have short or lengthy pauses, or stop speaking altogether. Any of those behaviours risks lowering your fluency mark.

Here are some reasons why IELTS candidates lose marks for fluency and some ways to overcome them.

Top tips for the IELTS speaking test

Apart from good preparation, there are things

you can do during the test to improve your mark

From what I’ve seen, the speaking module in the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam would have to be the one that raises the most anxiety among candidates. A lack of preparation, a fear of speaking in English for an extended period, and a lack of awareness of how the scoring scheme works contribute to this anxiety. The impact on a test taker’s score for the speaking module can be significant.

Obviously, doing sufficient and proper preparation before the day of the exam will help to minimise the stress associated with the speaking test. However, I always recommend that candidates only do preparation courses with English teachers who are expert in the exam.

Certainly, these teachers can give guidance on how to improve a test taker’s language skills. Because of their deep understanding of IELTS, however, they can do some thing that most teachers can’t.

What is that? They can point out the particular areas in which a test taker needs to improve in order to get a higher score in the speaking module.

Sometimes, only small things need to be either avoided or improved to see a significant effect on the score that a candidate would get in the IELTS test.

Apart from good preparation, there are also things that can be done during the test itself. Here’s an introduction to some of the things you should do throughout the test to improve your chances of getting the best possible score.

The right IELTS Exam Preparation is essential

If you’re like the large majority of Thai candidates doing the academic version of IELTS (International English Language Testing System), you’re aiming to get an overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0.

To get an overall band score of 6.5, you’ll need three band 6s and at least one band 7 in the individual language skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking).

A score of band 7 in any of the language skills represents an excellent level of English. To get band 7, you need:

• well-developed English grammar, vocabulary and language skills;

• a good knowledge of test-taking strategies; and

• well-organised test practice to develop your test-taking skills.

Unfortunately, most Thai candidates don’t get what they want. In 2010, the overall average for all Thai candidates was 5.8. Only 14% of Thai candidates gained an overall score of 6.5 (the lowest score allowed for study in most master’s programmes), while a mere 11% achieved a higher score.

The most interesting point is that 73% of Thai candidates got an overall score between 4.5 and 6.0 – well below what candidates need to do post-graduate studies at overseas universities.

Why is there a gap between the score candidates want and the one they actually receive?