Mastering the IELTS Speaking Test: Tips to Ace It in 30 Days!

The IELTS Speaking test is a face to face test conducted by approved IELTS examiners. It is one of the most challenging tests as it assesses your spontaneous response and on-the-spot conversation skills. You are graded on a scale of 0 to 9 on the basis of specific parameters like fluency, grammar and vocabulary and pronunciation. The test is divided into 3 parts. 

The first part comprises of general questions about background and family. In the second part you are given a topic and asked to speak on it for about 2 minutes. The third part again comprises of questions related to the Topic given in the second part.

Here are a few tips on how to ace the speaking test in just 30 days – 

1. Record and practice: While recording your audio helps with your speaking skills, daily listening to it helps you identify any corrections or mistake that you may be making. Recording and practicing are one of the best ways to practice for the speaking test.
2. Try talking to a native speaker: When you talk and converse with a native speaker you understand the correct pronunciation and learn various new words. Also, you get to know your own mistakes.
3. Solve mock tests: Several mock tests available online for the IELTS speaking test that help improve your skills and learn from your mistakes. Try to attempt as many mock tests as possible as they are designed according to the main exam and help a lot during the last phase of preparation.
4. Use English media: One of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to practice for speaking tests is to watch English media and listen to English songs, news and podcasts available online. You can hear or watch these while doing any task. This clears the basics and helps a lot in your practice.
5. Practice your pronunciation: Pronunciation usually plays a very important role in conversations. Hence is very important to practice pronunciations every day. You may search pronunciations on Google or take mock tests. English media also helps a lot in this practice. Try to repeat and use words repeatedly for which you find pronunciation difficult. 
6. Learn a new word every: English is a very vast language, and hence, it is not possible to learn everything at once. So, try to learn a new word every day and incorporate it in your daily conversations.
7. Make a proper schedule: Having a proper schedule for practicing is very important. You should set time for different practices and tests. Setting a proper timetable or schedule helps you to divide your study and organise your time. Your schedule need not be very hectic. Try to schedule small sessions for mock tests and different practices. Also, take proper breaks and give yourself proper time to practice what you have learned.

Here are a few tips for the exam to help you with the IELTS speaking test – 

1. Relax and speak with confidence: While attempting the test, relax and speak confidently. Usually students tend to mess up with grammar and pronunciation in hassle, so it is very Important to relax yourself before the exam.
2. Own your accent: IELTS is a global exam and people from different countries and parts of the world attempt this exam. It is not uncommon to have a different accent than the natives speaker. Do not try to fake your accent. The examiners understand it very well and hence try as much as possible to be organic.
3. Make use of simple words and sentences: In an attempt to use unique and complex words students usually mess up with the make up of a sentence. So try to use easy words and do not complicate sentences.
4. Take your time: As a non-native speaker, it is very natural for you to take your time to understand the question and think for a proper answer, do not try to run For an answer. If needed do not even hesitate to Ask the examiners to repeat the question politely if you do not understand. Giving an answer without understanding the context of the question might reflect negatively in your scores.

Preparing for the IELTS Speaking Test may seem challenging, but you can significantly improve your performance with consistent practice, smart strategies, and the correct mindset.