Hi, I’m Matthew Clarke, and after examining thousands of IELTS Speaking tests, I’ve noticed that many candidates lose marks not because of poor English, but because of avoidable mistakes.
These errors often have nothing to do with intelligence or preparation — they’re simply habits that lower your fluency, accuracy, or confidence under pressure.
In this lesson, I’ll show you the most common mistakes in IELTS Speaking and how to fix them, based on what examiners really observe in test rooms.
If you’d like to see how these factors fit into official scoring, review the IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors on the British Council website.
Many students prepare long, memorised answers for common topics. While preparation is good, memorisation is easy for examiners to detect — your voice becomes flat, rhythm unnatural, and answers too perfect.
Examiners are trained to spot rehearsed language, and as IELTS.org confirms, it can reduce your Fluency & Coherence score.
✅ Do this instead:
Prepare ideas, not sentences. Learn flexible phrases you can adapt:
“Well, I’d say…”
“To be honest…”
“I suppose the main reason is…”
These keep you natural and spontaneous, which is exactly what IELTS values.
It’s a myth that you must use “big words” to get Band 8.
What matters is natural and appropriate word choice, not complexity.
For instance, saying “I am feeling exuberant” instead of “I’m very happy” sounds unnatural in most contexts.
The IDP IELTS guidance explains that lexical resource is about using a wide range appropriately. Forced vocabulary lowers clarity.
✅ Better approach:
Use advanced words when they fit your tone.
“I was thrilled when I got the news,”
sounds natural, whereas
“I was elated upon reception of the announcement,”
does not.
Some candidates rush to show fluency, while others speak too slowly trying to avoid mistakes. Both extremes hurt your coherence.
IELTS examiners listen for natural pace — clear but conversational. If you speak too fast, ideas blur; if too slow, you sound hesitant.
As shown in British Council’s IELTS Speaking videos, high-band candidates pause briefly but maintain steady rhythm.
✅ Solution:
Practise with timed answers and record yourself. Aim for rhythm, not speed. Imagine you’re talking to a friend, not reading a script.
Many learners think pronunciation means “sound like a native speaker.” Not true.
As IELTS.org clarifies, you’re graded on clarity and intonation, not accent.
Common issues include monotone delivery or stressing the wrong syllables:
✅ Fix it:
Listen and repeat authentic materials — for example, BBC Learning English or IDP IELTS sample recordings.
Record short sentences and mimic tone and rhythm rather than accent.
Especially in Part 1, some candidates give one-line replies:
“Do you like your hometown?” — “Yes.”
This gives the examiner almost nothing to assess.
Instead, extend your answer naturally:
“Yes, I do. I grew up in a small coastal town, and it’s a peaceful place to live.”
You don’t need to talk for a minute — just add a reason or example.
In Part 3, go further by giving an opinion and justification. That’s how you demonstrate higher-level thinking.
Repetition of basic words like good, bad, nice, or very lowers your Lexical Resource score.
✅ Tip:
Use natural synonyms and collocations:
Common Word | Better Alternatives |
good | excellent, enjoyable, beneficial |
bad | harmful, unpleasant, negative |
very | extremely, incredibly, rather |
nice | pleasant, lovely, enjoyable |
Don’t memorise lists — use these words in your own speaking topics to build comfort.
Answers that jump abruptly between points sound unorganised.
IELTS examiners assess your ability to link ideas logically — this is part of your Coherence score.
Use short connectors such as:
“because,” “so,” “for example,” “however,” or “on the other hand.”
For more detail, review the IELTS Speaking page on Linking Ideas Naturally
Sometimes, candidates stop mid-sentence to fix tiny grammar slips.
Constant self-correction breaks fluency and rhythm.
Examiners prefer you to keep speaking confidently, even if minor errors occur.
✅ Tip:
Correct yourself only if it’s natural:
“I’ve been there last year — oh, sorry, I mean I went there last year.”
That’s perfectly fine and shows awareness, not anxiety.
If you misunderstand a question, your answer may sound irrelevant. This can affect coherence and lexical precision.
✅ Solution:
If unsure, ask the examiner politely:
“Could you repeat the question, please?”
This is completely allowed — confirmed by British Council’s official IELTS FAQs.
Your tone and facial expression also affect the listener’s impression.
Flat delivery sounds disengaged, even if your words are correct.
Remember — IELTS Speaking is a conversation, not a recital.
✅ Fix it:
Watch how confident speakers use expression in British Council sample videos.
Examiner: Do you enjoy learning English?
Candidate (Band 6): Yes, I enjoy. It’s good.
Candidate (Band 8): Yes, I do. I really enjoy learning English because it helps me communicate with people from different countries, and it’s opened many opportunities for me.
The second answer demonstrates fluency, development, and enthusiasm — small differences that make a big impact.
Simulate pressure. Practise in noisy or timed environments to train confidence.
Before your next mock test, ask yourself:
1️⃣ What are the most common IELTS Speaking mistakes?
Memorised answers, overusing complex words, unnatural speed, and short or off-topic replies.
2️⃣ Will grammar mistakes lower my score a lot?
Not if your meaning is clear. Occasional slips are normal; persistent errors affect Accuracy.
3️⃣ Can I ask the examiner to repeat a question?
Yes, politely. It doesn’t affect your score — it shows confidence and control.
4️⃣ Should I use idioms?
Yes, but naturally. Forced idioms sound unnatural and may lower fluency.
5️⃣ How can I avoid sounding rehearsed?
Practise paraphrasing — restate questions in your own words before answering
Avoiding these common mistakes in IELTS Speaking will immediately make your speech sound more fluent, confident, and examiner-friendly.
Remember: IELTS rewards natural communication, not memorisation. Speak clearly, stay calm, and let your personality shine.
Next, move on to IELTS Speaking Part 1: Introduction & Everyday Topics to apply these techniques in real test questions.
Or revisit the IELTS Speaking Overview for a full breakdown of the test format and scoring system.
Get the latest IELTS speaking tips and practice materials directly to your inbox.
Your dedicated path to Band 7+ IELTS success. Master every skill with expert guidance and tailored…
