Six Speaking test mistakes and what to do instead
Memorised answers, one-word replies and silence: six common Speaking mistakes, why they lower your score, and better alternatives.
By IELTSora teaching team · Updated · 2 min read
The six mistakes
- Memorised answers. Examiners notice and may change the topic. Instead, prepare ideas and vocabulary, not scripts.
- One-word answers. Add a reason and an example.
- Long silences. Use a natural phrase like "Let me think" or paraphrase the word you can't find.
- Rare words used wrongly. Natural, accurate words score better.
- Speaking too fast to sound fluent. Clear, steady speech is easier to follow and score.
- Worrying about accent. Any accent is fine if you're easy to understand.
Ask when you need to
You can ask the examiner to repeat a question. In Part 3 you can also ask what a word means. Asking is better than answering a question you misunderstood.
Practise like the real test
Many Speaking mistakes come from nerves rather than weak English. Practising under test-like conditions helps more than reading about the test. Answer questions aloud, not in your head. Use a timer for Part 2, with one minute to prepare and two to speak, and record yourself at least once a week. When you listen back, count your long pauses and the times you repeated yourself. Those numbers fall quickly with regular practice, and they are exactly what the examiner hears.
What examiners listen for
Your score comes from four equal criteria: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation. None of them rewards memorised speeches, a particular accent or speaking very fast. Each one rewards the same thing in a different way: clear, connected English that sounds like you are thinking and talking, not reciting.