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Tips to score band 7 in the IELTS speaking test

Updated on 31 October, 2023

Mrinal Mandal

Mrinal Mandal

Study Abroad Expert

Tips to score band 7 in the IELTS speaking test

The International English Language Test System (IELTS) is one of the English language proficiency tests that students and professionals appear for to study and work abroad. The IELTS exam is divided into four sections: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. Many people find it tough to clear the IELTS Speaking Section, a face-to-face and informal discussion with the examiner. The test has three components and tests the candidate’s fluency, grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary. Before appearing for the IELTS test, a candidate needs to understand the components of the test.

In part one of the IELTS speaking section, the examiner will ask you common questions about you and your life. This will take roughly 4-5 minutes, while part two is slightly different. Here, you will get a cue card and a minute to prepare the answer. You will have to speak for about 1-2 minutes. Part three is about speaking for 4-5 minutes on the topic given to you earlier. Let’s discuss IELTS speaking tips for band 7 in this article.

IELTS Speaking Tips for Band 7 that you should follow:

Here are some tips worth considering while preparing for IELTS: 

  1. Speak English regularly- IELTS Band 7 achievers have a common trait- they incorporate the usage of the English language in their everyday life. Keep practising steadily, and you will witness gradual improvements. 
  2. Clarify things you do not understand- The speaking test mimics a regular conversation. If you do not understand something, ask your examiner about the same. Just say that you are sorry before asking him to explain what a word means. You can also ask the examiner to repeat a question.
  3. Warming up is essential- Most students usually need 10-15 minutes to warm up before giving their best performances. Make sure that you start this warm-up process before the actual Speaking test. Keep listening, reading, speaking, and writing in English for about 24 hours before the examination.
  4. Always give a complete answer- Do not go by only No and Yes in the test. Try and provide complete answers with examples. 
  5. Rectify errors- Small mistakes are inevitable, especially if you get a little nervous during the test. Rectify any errors just as you make them. It will demonstrate your knowledge of grammar and your command of vocabulary to the examiner.  
  6. Emphasize the marking criteria and execute your study plan accordingly. 
  7. Record speaking sessions and keep evaluating your performance honestly. 
  8. Try and zero in on weaknesses. 
  9. Your score improves if you keep talking throughout the examination, even if you make a few errors. IELTS tests what you are capable of doing instead of examining what you cannot do. 
  10.  Always use idioms- Make sure to use some idioms in your speech while demonstrating knowledge of collocation and proper style. The examiner will look for clues that you can delve beyond simple textbook knowledge. They will appreciate your usage of actual English. You can pick up phrases online or even through dedicated learning apps. 
  11.  Paraphrase questions- If the examiner asks you a question, you can immediately think of how to paraphrase it. It means that you will be expressing the same thing in another way. It is a great way to show some of the core attributes that the examiner is looking for. You can attempt this 2-3 times during your Speaking test with good results. 
  12.  Linking words- As per the criteria for assessment, a suitable aspirant for Band 7 will be able to use linking words and connectives flexibly. Use expressions such as althoughhowever, on the other handin other words, and more. Your range is what will get you noticed. The examiner does not want you to say the same thing again and again. Record your speech and identify whether you are repeating any phrase a little too much. Consider replacing the same with another sentence. Linking words will always get you better scores. 
  13.  Do not shy away from mistakes- You can still get Band 7 or even 7.5 even if you have made a few mistakes. Some candidates often get low scores since they worry excessively about not making any mistakes. They end up speaking nervously. It will only make mistakes more obvious to examiners. Fluency is the main attribute for aspirants instead of error-free speech. 

These IELTS speaking tips for band 7 will certainly help you improve your vocabulary, pronunciation, and, most importantly, your confidence! 

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Mrinal Mandal

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Disclaimer

The above tips are the Author's experiences. upGrad does not guarantee scores or admissions.