Introduction

1️⃣ Mistake: Speaking Too Briefly

Problem: Many candidates finish after 40–50 seconds.
They give direct answers but don’t extend them with examples or feelings.

Fix: Aim for 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Use the PDR method — Past, Details, Reflection — to stay on topic and build depth.

💡 Example:

Instead of “I visited Paris last year. It was great,” say:
“I visited Paris last year for a short holiday. The weather was perfect, and I finally saw the Eiffel Tower. It was something I’d dreamed of for years.”

This simple expansion could raise a Band 6.0 to Band 7.5.

2️⃣ Mistake: Memorising Answers

Problem: Some students memorise entire model answers.
Examiners can easily tell — the speech sounds robotic and unnatural.

Fix: Memorise structures, not sentences.
For instance, learn:

• “I’d like to talk about…” (opening)
• “One thing that stood out was…” (development)
• “It taught me that…” (reflection)

The British Council warns that memorisation often lowers your Fluency and Coherence score.

3️⃣ Mistake: Ignoring the Bullet Points

Problem: Some candidates talk about the topic but skip the points on the cue card.
For example, if the card says “describe a gift you received,” and you forget to mention who gave it to you or why it was special, you’ll lose coherence marks.

Fix: In your 1-minute preparation, underline key points and write one short note for each.
You don’t need to follow the order, but you must cover all four.

💡 Tip: Write “1–2 words” per point only — never full sentences.

4️⃣ Mistake: Poor Time Management

Problem: Candidates often rush or end mid-sentence because they don’t manage their timing.

Fix: Use the “90-Second Framework”:

Practise using a timer — the IDP IELTS Speaking guide includes useful examples of timed performances.

5️⃣ Mistake: Overusing “And” or “Because”

Problem: Many students rely on the same connectors, making speech repetitive.

Fix: Replace with natural alternatives.

Use connectors sparingly — 1 per sentence is enough.
You can learn more examples on BBC Learning English.

6️⃣ Mistake: Using Limited Vocabulary

Problem: Repeating simple words like nice, good, bad, happy lowers your Lexical Resource score.

Fix: Learn topic-based synonyms.

Use these naturally with examples: “It was a fascinating experience because…”

7️⃣ Mistake: Speaking Too Fast

Problem: Nervousness causes candidates to rush, making their speech unclear.

Fix: Slow down slightly and pause every two clauses.
Pace = Confidence.

Use breathing breaks and stress key words for rhythm:

“I still remember that day — it was truly unforgettable.”

Good pacing signals control and helps pronunciation clarity.

8️⃣ Mistake: Overuse of Fillers (“um”, “uh”, “you know”)

Problem: Too many fillers reduce fluency and sound unprepared.

Fix: Replace fillers with meaningful pauses or short phrases like “Well…”, “Actually…”, or “Let me think…”
These sound natural and give you a second to plan your next sentence.

9️⃣ Mistake: Forgetting to Reflect

Problem: Many students stop right after describing events — they don’t explain how they felt or what they learned.

Fix: Always finish with reflection. It shows maturity and depth of communication.

“Looking back, that experience taught me to stay calm under pressure.”

Reflection often separates Band 7 from Band 8.

10️⃣ Mistake: Not Smiling or Sounding Engaged

Problem: A monotone voice or lack of expression makes your speech dull.

Fix: Use tone and energy to sound interested in your story.
Examiners don’t score confidence directly, but it improves overall impression and flow.
As IELTS.org confirms, fluency includes natural rhythm and intonation.