IELTS Speaking Tips and Hints to Get A Band Score 8+

Most test-takers target a band 8 in the IELTS Speaking Test with good preparation and techniques to attempt the questions provided. By getting familiar with the IELTS Speaking Tips and Hints to Get A Band Score 8+, you will be able to perform your best for this section. In this section, you will be assessed based on your ability to communicate your ideas clearly and coherently without any hesitation. You can achieve your desired band scores by utilizing a few strategies and practice on a regular basis to achieve a higher band score.

Before diving into the practice, you must familiarize yourself with the strategies to use. These will help you to gain an understanding of the tricks and help you to ace the Speaking Section with a band 8+. As you practice regularly, you are guaranteed to learn something new here which will result in getting a good IELTS Band score.

Overview of the IELTS Speaking Section

It is important to know how the IELTS Speaking Section will be assessed in order to score a band 8+. The entire section lasts between 11 and 14 minutes and is divided into three parts, each progressively more difficult where the topics vary from very familiar topics to the abstract ones. The Speaking section remains the same whether you are preparing for the IELTS Academic or the General Training. Let's check out the three parts based on which you will be assessed on the Speaking Section.

• Part 1 (4-5 minutes) is for the Examiner to ask you questions about basic topics.
• Part 2 (3 minutes) is for you to prepare and give a short talk of 1-2 minutes on a given topic. You will be given a minute to prepare and two minutes to speak.
• Part 3 (4-5 minutes) is for you and the Examiner to have a discussion linked to the topic from Part 2. However, this part would include in-depth questions whee you need to showcase your opinion and reasons to justify the same.

Criteria in the IELTS Speaking for a Band 8+

Scoring a Band 8+ in the IELTS Speaking test is about a lot more than just speaking English fluently. It is about understanding what the examiner is looking for. Even though there are three parts based on which you will be scored in the IELTS exam, you also need to be aware of the four parameters based on which you will be marked.

Top 10 IELTS Speaking Tips and Hints to Get A Band Score 8+

Whether you are preparing for the Academic or the IELTS General, the following top 10 IELTS Speaking Tips and Hints to Get A Band Score 8+ will help you showcase an impressive performance during the speaking interview.

1. Speak as much English as you can. Prepare yourself for the exam by knowing what is involved.
2. You need to sound natural and not as if you have learnt answers by heart. Be spontaneous and relevant.
3. Do not be put off by the tape recorder in the room. It is there to help you not the Examiner!
4. Be positive. The exam is nearly over, so smile and breathe evenly.
5. Remember that the adrenaline produced by your nervous feelings actually helps you to perform better.
6. Use a wide range of vocabulary. People generally use less than they know when they speak. Practise to activate what you know.
7. Concentrate generally on what you are saying rather than being accurate. You will then make fewer mistakes.
8. Practise speaking clearly. This does not mean slowly, but naturally and evenly.
9. Concentrate on the planning and organization. These help you to control your nerves and to be fluent. If you go into the exam unprepared, it will make you nervous.Concentrate only on the part you are doing. Forget about the other parts of the exam.
10. Keep eye contact with the Examiner, even if he/she looks away or makes notes. If you do not usually maintain eye contact in your culture, practise speaking while keeping eye contact before the exam. If the Examiner is writing, looking away or not smiling, this does not mean that you are doing badly. It just means the Examiner is doing his/her job.

Do you want to learn more on how to be fluent in the Speaking Section to achieve a higher IELTS Band Score? Check out the video below!

IELTS Speaking Tips and Hints to Get A Band Score 8+ - Part 1 : Introduction and interview

In the IELTS Speaking Part 1, you will be asked a few questions of different topics which are related to you. Remember that the Examiner is just like your teacher. In fact, Examiners are usually teachers, so they are aware of how you feel, because their own students feel the same. The Examiner has a set of questions. Answer the questions without trying to repeat the whole question in your answer:

Always remember that repeating the question will not help in your band score, rather try to reframe your answers. Try to use synonyms of the words used by the Examiner. If you can’t, don’t interrupt your fluency, just say what you can.

The topics are usually familiar topics and the Examiner asks you about yourself. Try to give examples and create ideas. Do not say, "I don’t know." This would depict that you are not comfortable with the language.

The questions are designed to encourage you to talk. They are not new or unpredictable. You might be asked about:

• a place or a hobby
• your daily routine
• your interests
• places in your country
• special foods/events in your country.

IELTS Speaking Tips and Hints to Get A Band Score 8+ - Part 2 : Individual long turn

In the IELTS Speaking Part 2, the topics on the task card are about a book, film, television programme, clothes, piece of music, object, place you like, special journey, special day, people you like or who have influenced you or a skill you have learned, etc. The following are some of the tricks which you can use to excel in this section.

• Use the time to plan. A common criticism of candidates is that they do not plan. You are not impressing the Examiner if you start immediately without planning, whatever your level. Make a brief written plan, as it helps to keep you on the subject and stops you from wandering away from the points you are asked about.
• If your talk is not organized, you will lose marks.
• Remember that Understanding Fluency and Coherence in IELTS Speaking is important as it depicts a logical and clear argument.
• Remember that being relevant is as important being fluent.
• When candidates do not plan, they tend to describe the general aspect of the question rather than the specific parts.
• Be aware how much you can say in two minutes maximum. You will probably only be able to say between 200-250 words.
• Make sure what you say is natural and do not sound as if you have learnt something by heart. It will affect your score.
• Remember the Examiner will know if you are doing the task properly or not.

There are three main pointers which you must use in the cue card section.

1. Planning and making notes in the IELTS Speaking Part 2

• Write notes not sentences. The task card asks you to describe a place, etc. and then to give reasons for your choice. For each point, write only one or two words for each prompt. In total you should have no more than 10-20 words.
• Write the points in a vertical list and in order. It is easier to see them this way.
• Draw a line between the words relating to the description and the explanation. It will make it clearer for you as you speak.
• As you speak, refer to the list to organize your answer. This should ensure that you answer all parts of the task.
• Use nouns, verbs, adverbs and adjectives for your notes.
• Do not learn your notes or full answers by heart and then repeat them word for word in the exam quickly. This sounds artificial and affects your score.
• Think about connecting words/phrases that will guide you as you speak, but don’t write them in the notes.

2. Organization

• Like the other parts of the test, the Speaking tests your ability to organize what you say. Good organization improves your fluency and coherence and reduces your mistakes.
• Practise making notes and using them to help you speak.
• Learn to build what you say around the prompts on the card and your notes.
• Record yourself; even write your answer down to see how much you need to say.
• Do not learn what you have written by heart, but do learn words and phrases that prompt and guide you.

3. Prompt words for Part 2

Use prompt words to guide you rather than leaning whole topics.

• Here are some introductory prompt phrases:

• Here are some phrases to talk about background detail:

• Time: It took place …/It happened…

• Here are some words and phrases to help develop your theme:

• Here are some words and phrases to talk about things you like:

• Here are some words and phrases to state that something made an impression on you:

• Use synonyms of words in the task card.

Collect your own examples of synonyms. As you think about and give your talk, be prepared for questions to connect what you have said in Part 2 to lead into IELTS Speaking Part 3.

IELTS Speaking Tips and Hints to Get A Band Score 8+ - Part 3: Two-way discussion

In this part , you will have to focus on providing your opinion along with the relevant reasons and justification for the same. Below are some of the tips which will help you ace this section.

• Listen carefully to the Examiner’s questions.
• Try to be fluent and only correct yourself if it is easy to do so. Don’t focus on your mistakes.
• Concentrate on the organization and being coherent.
• Remember the Examiner asks you a range of questions to encourage you to speak.
• You need to go into greater depth to explain your opinion, give reasons and speculate about the future
• To stop yourself from panicking about Part 3, think how long it lasts; how many questions the Examiner can ask you (six to eight); and the nature of the questions.
• The questions will be open questions, for example:

The Examiner can invite you to comment by asking, 'What about…. ?' Keep to the topic. Think of your answer as the Examiner is speaking.

How would Prompts help you begin and develop your answers in IELTS Speaking Part 3?

Since this section involves more in-depth questions, many individuals might find it difficult to answer. There are prompts which will make you think critically to develop a structured response. Below are some of the strategies which will help you to ace the part 3.

• If you don’t understand the Examiner’s question, tell him/her or ask him/her to repeat it. There is no point answering a question you do not understand. Make sure that your answer fits the Examiner’s question.
• A memorized response to something similar you have learnt is not suitable. However, prepare some prompts for yourself so that you can get yourself talking. These prompts give you a few seconds to think and organize what you want to say.
• Remember that the Examiners are not checking whether you are telling the truth, but your ability to speak English. The Examiner introduces a general topic and then asks you a question about a specific aspect. 
• When the Examiner asks you a question, listen for words you can build your answer around the questions such as 'What do you think the benefits of being able to speak more than one language are?' Obviously, you need to speak about the benefits. When you answer, use a paraphrase like advantages/positive aspects or… is beneficial.
• Put your list into an order. For instance, for the main advantage, use the terms like 'I think', 'is' and give one or more reasons by using words such as 'because...' and 'it…'
• You are taking part in a two-way conversation. Allow space for the Examiner to ask you questions. Don’t talk over the Examiner. However, if the Examiner doesn’t interrupt you, continue speaking.
• Don’t speak fast or slowly, but clearly. It is important to organize what you are saying. Don’t make just the beginning relevant, but also your supporting evidence. Bear in mind the principles of writing a paragraph.
• Concentrate on the message and the organization rather than your IELTS Grammar and it will help you to be fluent.
• The Examiner might ask a question that changes direction slightly. Follow his/her lead and mention your opinion on that after which justify the reasons.

How to develop ideas for the IELTS Speaking Part 3?

The IELTS Speaking Part 3 is usually difficult for most candidates taking the speaking test. Unlike Part 1 that requires personal questions and Part 2, in which long turn takes place, in Part 3, however, it is like an interview, where the main focus is developing ideas quickly and confidently. This does not mean that you will be memorising answers but rather practising with strategies that will help your expansion of thoughts. The following are some of the ways you can develop ideas for the Part 3.

• When you state something, try to qualify it and expand to support your opinion/reason:

• Use, but don’t overuse, adding words such as Moreover/What is more
• If you have time, draw a conclusion like '… and therefore…'
• You can vary the response in any way you like as long as it fits and is relevant.
• The Examiner might ask an unexpected question for you to comment on, 'What about… ?'; Agree or disagree, 'That is possible, but I think...' and give your reasons.
• Use words and phrases to state different sides of an argument:

• Talk about possible results or consequences, '… and so/therefore …'
• When you are asked to speculate about the future, use, 'will/going to/might/could/ should…'

Getting a band score of 8+ on the IELTS Speaking test is not about having perfect English but it is about your fluency while using the language. With the right usage of vocabulary, fluency, and confidence, you can convert any simple idea into a strong response. The focus should be on elaborating and expanding your answers which should sound natural by using a wide and rich variety of IELTS Vocabulary, and working on your pronunciation. So, remember to relax and be yourself. 

Also check :

• 10 Useful IELTS Speaking Tips to Impress the Examiner
• Linking Words for IELTS Speaking Section
• IELTS Speaking Recent Actual Tests with Suggested Answers for IELTS 2025
• Useful Idioms for IELTS Speaking to Score Band 8.0+
• IELTS Pronunciation Guide 2025
• 75+ Common English Words Used in IELTS Speaking Test
• Ough Words With Pronunciation