IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors – Simplified!
Understand Exactly What Examiners Look For in Bands 6, 7, and 8
🎯 Real Examples | 📊 Clear Comparisons | 💡 Practical Tips
🎯 Quick Overview: The 4 Speaking Criteria
Your speaking score is the average of these four areas (each worth 25%):
- Fluency & Coherence – How smoothly you speak
- Lexical Resource – Your vocabulary range
- Grammatical Range & Accuracy – Your grammar variety and correctness
- Pronunciation – How clearly you speak
Band 6 vs Band 7 vs Band 8 – The Key Differences
Band 6
Competent User
Band 7
Good User
Band 8
Very Good User
Criterion 1: Fluency & Coherence
Band 6 – Fluency & Coherence
What it means in simple terms:
You can speak at length but with some effort. You might repeat yourself or self-correct often.
Key features:
- Some hesitation and repetition
- Uses basic connectors (and, but, because)
- Ideas are generally clear but not always well-organized
Band 6 Example:
“I like traveling because… um… it’s interesting. I went to many places. For example, last year I go… sorry, I went to Thailand and it was very nice. The food was good and… uh… people were friendly.”
Band 7 – Fluency & Coherence
What it means in simple terms:
You speak smoothly most of the time with only occasional hesitation. Your ideas flow logically.
Key features:
Band 7 Example:
“I’m quite passionate about traveling because it broadens my perspective. Last year, I had the opportunity to visit Thailand, which was absolutely fascinating. Not only was the cuisine exceptional, but I also found the locals to be incredibly welcoming, which made the experience even more memorable.”
Band 8 – Fluency & Coherence
What it means in simple terms:
You speak fluently with only rare hesitation. Your speech flows naturally like a native speaker.
Key features:
- Fluent with only occasional repetition
- Develops topics coherently and appropriately
- Uses sophisticated linking naturally
Band 8 Example:
“I’ve always been drawn to traveling, primarily because it challenges my preconceptions and enriches my understanding of different cultures. Take my trip to Thailand last year, for instance – what struck me most wasn’t just the incredible cuisine or the stunning landscapes, but rather how the genuine warmth of the people transformed what could have been a typical tourist experience into something truly meaningful.”
Criterion 2: Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)
Band Comparison for Vocabulary:
| Band | Vocabulary Range | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Band 6 | Sufficient vocabulary for most topics, some less common words |
Topic: Environment |
| Band 7 | Flexible use of vocabulary, some idiomatic language |
Topic: Environment |
| Band 8 | Wide vocabulary range, skillful use of uncommon lexical items |
Topic: Environment |
Criterion 3: Grammatical Range & Accuracy
Band 6 – Grammar
Simple explanation: You use both simple and complex sentences, but make some errors with complex grammar.
Band 6 Grammar Example:
“If I would have more money, I will travel more. Although I enjoy my job, but sometimes it’s stressful. I am working here since 2020.”
(Errors: mixed conditionals, double connectors, wrong tense)
Band 7 – Grammar
Simple explanation: You use a variety of complex structures with good control. Errors are infrequent.
Band 7 Grammar Example:
“If I had more money, I’d definitely travel more extensively. Although I enjoy my job, it can be quite stressful at times. I’ve been working here since 2020, and I’ve seen many changes.”
(Good variety, natural flow, minor errors don’t impede communication)
Band 8 – Grammar
Simple explanation: You use a wide range of structures flexibly. Errors are very rare and hard to spot.
Band 8 Grammar Example:
“Had I more disposable income, I’d undoubtedly dedicate it to traveling more extensively. While I find my work fulfilling, it does come with its share of stress. Having been with the company since 2020, I’ve witnessed remarkable transformations in how we operate.”
(Sophisticated structures used naturally and accurately)
Criterion 4: Pronunciation
Understanding Pronunciation Bands:
Band 6 Pronunciation:
- Generally clear but with some mispronunciation
- Can be understood despite accent
- Some words stress incorrectly
- Example: Saying “com-FOR-table” instead of “COM-for-table”
Band 7 Pronunciation:
- Clear throughout with only occasional issues
- Good control of pronunciation features
- Natural rhythm and intonation
- L1 accent has minimal effect
Band 8 Pronunciation:
- Easy to understand throughout
- Wide range of pronunciation features
- Sustains flexible use of features
- L1 accent has minimal effect on intelligibility
💡 Important Note:
You do NOT need to sound like a native speaker! Pronunciation is about being clear and easy to understand, not eliminating your accent.
Real Speaking Test Examples – Complete Responses
Question: “Do you think technology has improved our lives?”
Band 6 Response:
“Yes, I think technology is very good for our lives. We can do many things with technology. For example, we can use smartphone to call friends and… um… search information on internet. Also, computer help us work faster. But sometimes technology is not good because people use phone too much and don’t talk to each other.”
Band 7 Response:
“I’d say technology has definitely enhanced our lives in numerous ways. It’s revolutionized how we communicate and access information. For instance, smartphones have made it possible to stay connected with people globally and find information instantly. However, there’s also a downside to this technological advancement. Many people have become overly dependent on their devices, which has led to decreased face-to-face interaction.”
Band 8 Response:
“That’s quite a thought-provoking question. I’d argue that technology has fundamentally transformed our lives, though whether it’s entirely for the better is debatable. On one hand, the democratization of information and the unprecedented connectivity we enjoy have opened up opportunities that were unimaginable just decades ago. Take remote work, for instance – it’s completely reshaping our work-life balance. On the flip side, our increasing reliance on technology has created new challenges, from digital addiction to privacy concerns. So while I’m generally optimistic about technology’s role, I think we need to be more mindful about how we integrate it into our lives.”
Do’s and Don’ts for Each Band Level
✅ DO’s for Higher Bands:
Band 6→7:
- Extend your answers with examples
- Use a wider range of linking words
- Practice less common vocabulary
- Work on speaking more smoothly
Band 7→8:
- Develop ideas more fully
- Use idiomatic expressions naturally
- Show flexibility in grammar
- Express abstract ideas clearly
❌ DON’Ts to Avoid:
Common Band 6 Mistakes:
- Giving very short answers
- Using only basic vocabulary
- Long pauses while thinking
- Memorizing and reciting answers
What Prevents Band 8:
- Overusing complex grammar unnaturally
- Speaking too fast to show fluency
- Using idioms incorrectly
- Not fully developing ideas
Quick Reference: Band Progression Summary
| Aspect | Band 6 | Band 7 | Band 8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Impression | Can communicate effectively but with effort | Communicates well with occasional lapses | Communicates very effectively with rare lapses |
| Length of Response | Can speak at length but may struggle | Speaks at length without noticeable effort | Speaks at length coherently and spontaneously |
| Vocabulary Usage | Good enough with some less common words | Flexible with idiomatic language | Wide range with natural collocation |
| Grammar Control | Mix of simple/complex with errors | Good control with few errors | Wide range with very rare errors |
| Pronunciation | Generally clear despite some issues | Clear with minimal L1 interference | Easy to understand throughout |
🎯 The Secret to Moving Up Bands
From 6 to 7: Focus on fluency and natural linking. Practice speaking for 2 minutes on any topic without long pauses.
From 7 to 8: Work on sophistication and flexibility. Read widely, note native expressions, and practice using them naturally.
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