Band Descriptors for Speaking Explained
Understand exactly what IELTS examiners look for in your Speaking test. This guide breaks down each of the four band descriptors so you can target a higher band score with confidence.
Do you ever wonder how IELTS Speaking examiners decide between Band 6.5 and Band 7.5? 🎤 It’s not just about sounding fluent — it’s about meeting specific criteria.
In this guide, we’ll demystify the IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors, so you can focus your practice and speak like a Band 8 candidate.
What Are the IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors?
The Speaking test is scored based on four key criteria, each weighted equally:
- Fluency and Coherence
- Lexical Resource
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
- Pronunciation
Each of these is scored from Band 0 to Band 9, and your overall Speaking band is the average of the four.
💡 Want to understand the full test format first? Check out our IELTS Speaking Test Structure Guide
1. Fluency and Coherence
This refers to your ability to speak smoothly without too much hesitation, and organize your ideas clearly.
What Examiners Look For:
- Minimal pausing or self-correction
- Clear logical progression of ideas
- Effective use of linking words
Common Mistakes:
- Overusing fillers ("uh", "you know", "like")
- Long pauses searching for vocabulary
- Repeating the same ideas in different words
Band Comparison Table:
| Band | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| 5 | Frequent pauses, limited development of ideas |
| 6 | Hesitant at times but manages to speak at length |
| 7 | Speaks without noticeable effort, ideas logically connected |
| 8 | Speaks fluently with only rare repetition or hesitation |
2. Lexical Resource
This measures the range and accuracy of your vocabulary.
What Examiners Look For:
- Use of less common vocabulary
- Ability to paraphrase
- Correct usage of idiomatic expressions
Common Mistakes:
- Repetitive or basic vocabulary
- Incorrect collocations ("make a mistake" vs "do a mistake")
- Misusing idioms or phrasal verbs
Practice Tip:
Create a vocabulary list for common IELTS Speaking topics like "environment," "education," and "technology" and practice using them in sample answers.
3. Grammatical Range and Accuracy
This evaluates how well you use different sentence structures and how accurate they are.
What Examiners Look For:
- A mix of complex and simple sentence types
- Accurate verb tenses
- Few grammatical errors
Common Mistakes:
- Overuse of simple sentences
- Confusion between past and present tense
- Articles ("a", "an", "the") misused or omitted
Sample Practice Question:
"Describe a person you admire."
Try answering using a mix of relative clauses, conditionals, and past perfect.
4. Pronunciation
This is about how clearly you speak and how easily an examiner can understand you.
What Examiners Look For:
- Clear and natural intonation
- Correct word and sentence stress
- Consistent intelligibility
Common Mistakes:
- Monotone speech with no rhythm
- Mispronouncing word endings (e.g., “worked”)
- Confusing similar sounds (e.g., “ship” vs “sheep”)
📘 Pro Tip: Record yourself and listen back to check pronunciation. Tools like shadowing can also improve intonation.
Example Breakdown: What Does a Band 7 Sound Like?
| Band Descriptor | Band 7 Description |
|---|---|
| Fluency & Coherence | Speaks at length with only occasional hesitation |
| Lexical Resource | Uses a range of vocabulary with some flexibility |
| Grammar | Frequently produces error-free sentences |
| Pronunciation | Easy to understand with some natural features |
Practice Prompts to Improve
- Describe a time you faced a challenge.
- What do you think makes a good leader?
- Is it better to live in a city or countryside?
Record your answers, then self-evaluate based on the four descriptors.
More on Scoring? 📊
Want to see how your Speaking score contributes to your overall IELTS result?
Check out our deep-dive blog: How IELTS Band Scores Are Calculated
🎯 Ready to Boost Your Band Score?
Practice with realistic, examiner-style mock exams for both Academic and General IELTS at 👉 ieltsexam.ai/ielts-mock-tests
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