The IELTS is perhaps the most popular English proficiency test in the world. A good IELTS score can open up a whole world of possibilities. The speaking section is often the most daunting for test-takers of the four core skills tested (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). After all, you’re being assessed on your ability to communicate in real time, which can be nerve-wracking. So, what happens if you answer wrong in IELTS speaking?
If you’ve made a mistake in your IELTS speaking test, firstly, don’t panic. It’s easy to get flustered when you make a mistake, but try to stay calm and collected. Secondly, try to correct yourself. If you realize that you’ve made a mistake, it’s best to try to correct it right away. Last, and most importantly, move on. The more you dwell on a mistake, the more it will throw you off for the rest of the test.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these tips and how you can use them to your advantage in the IELTS speaking test. We’ll also share some of our top-secret IELTS speaking tips to help you ace the test and get the score you need. Whether you’re a first-time test-taker or a seasoned pro, you’re sure to find something useful here. Let’s get started!
3 Things to Do if You Answer Wrong in IELTS Speaking
Let’s take a closer look at the three things you can do if you answer wrong in IELTS speaking.
1) Don’t Panic
The first and foremost thing you need to do if you answer wrong in IELTS speaking is not to panic. This may seem like obvious advice, but you won’t believe how many test-takers make the mistake of panicking when they make a small mistake in the test. The speaking section is nerve-wracking enough without adding to the pressure of your own anxiety.
Try to take a deep breath and relax. Remember that the IELTS speaking test is just a test – it’s not the be-all and end-all of your English language ability. The speaking examiner is not out to get you, and they’re not looking for perfection. They’re just trying to assess your level of English proficiency.
Here are some techniques that can help you calm down:
- Count to four as you inhale deeply, then count to four as you exhale slowly. Deep breaths will help you relax and focus.
- Repeat a mantra or positive affirmation in your head (e.g., “I can do this,” “I’m prepared for this,” etc.)
- Force yourself to smile, even if you don’t feel like it. The physical act of smiling has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety.
If you can stay calm, it will be much easier to handle the mistake and move on.
2) Try to Correct Yourself
If you realize that you’ve made a mistake, it’s best to try to correct it right away. This shows the examiner that you’re aware of your mistake and that you’re trying to fix it. It also gives you a chance to redeem yourself and show off your English language skills.
Of course, there’s a fine line between correcting yourself and over-correcting. Don’t interrupt the examiner or speak over them – let them finish their question before you start speaking again. And don’t try to correct every little mistake – that will just make you sound pedantic. Just focus on the major mistakes, and leave the small stuff for later.
If you’re confused as to when you should correct yourself or not, here are some general guidelines:
- If the mistake doesn’t change the meaning of what you’re saying, don’t worry about it.
- If the mistake is a minor grammatical error, try to correct it if you can without interrupting your speech’s flow. Don’t do it very often though, as this can draw the examiner’s attention to the fact that your grammar is weak.
- If the mistake is a major one (e.g., you mispronounce a word or mix up two similar words), try to correct it as best you can. Be careful not to interrupt the examiner or your train of thought.
Again, the goal here is to show the examiner that you’re aware of your mistake and that you’re trying to fix it. As long as you do that, you’ll be fine.
3) Move On
If you can’t correct yourself or if you realize that the mistake is not worth correcting, the best thing to do is to just move on. Don’t dwell on it or let it throw you off for the rest of the test. Even native speakers make mistakes when they’re speaking English. The key is not to let it get to you.
We know it’s easier said than done, but try not to let a single mistake ruin your whole test. The IELTS speaking test is not pass/fail – even if you make a few mistakes, you can still get a good score if you show good English language skills overall.
So, don’t panic, try to correct yourself if you can, and just move on if you can’t. If you keep these things in mind, you’ll do fine in the IELTS speaking test – mistakes and all.
Will I Lose Points if I Make a Mistake in the IELTS Speaking Test?
When it comes to speaking, you can usually make two kinds of mistakes: Content-related and Language-related.
| Content-related mistakes | Language-related mistakes |
|---|---|
| Errors in what you’re saying. | Errors in how you’re saying it. |
| For example, forgetting certain facts or details, mixing up two similar things, or giving the wrong example. | For example, making grammatical errors, using incorrect vocabulary, or mispronouncing words. |
| These kinds of mistakes are not penalized in the IELTS speaking test. This is because the IELTS speaking test is not a test of your content knowledge – it’s a test of your English language skills. As long as you can show that you have good English overall, a few content mistakes here and there won’t matter too much. | These kinds of mistakes are penalized in the IELTS speaking test, as they show that your English language skills are not up to par. So, if you want to get a good score in the IELTS speaking test, it’s important to try to avoid these kinds of mistakes. |
Note: If you’re aiming for a score band of anywhere around 7, you are allowed a 25% error margin. So even if you mess up your speaking a little bit, you can still get a good score as long as your English is strong overall.
Some Tips to Ace the IELTS Speaking Test
We know that the IELTS speaking test can be a bit daunting, but don’t worry – we’re here to help. Here are some tips that will help you ace the IELTS speaking test:
- Relax and be yourself: The examiner is not out to get you – they just want to see how well you can communicate in English. This also means trying to speak in your natural accent as much as possible. Don’t try to imitate a native speaker or use overly formal language – it’ll just make you sound unnatural and uncomfortable.
- Speak slowly and clearly: This will help ensure that the examiner can understand you and that they can give you a good score for fluency and pronunciation.
- Be spontaneous: Don’t memorize your answers – just speak from the heart. The IELTS speaking test is designed to check how natural and spontaneous your English is. So, if you memorize your answers, it will be obvious to the examiner and it will reflect poorly on your score.
- Listen carefully to the questions: Make sure you understand what the examiner is asking before you start answering. If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. The examiner will be more than happy to help.
- Don’t use big complicated words: Sometimes, test-takers try to impress the examiner by using big, complicated words. But in reality, this will just make your answer harder to understand and it will reflect poorly in your score for vocabulary. So, stick to using simple, everyday English.
With these tips, you should be well on your way to acing the IELTS speaking test!
Top 5 IELTS Guides for Exam Prep
Finding the right IELTS guide can make all the difference in your exam prep. Here are our top five IELTS guides to help you get started:
- Road to IELTS
(Online Course)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about the IELTS speaking test:
Q.1. How long is the IELTS speaking test?
A. The IELTS speaking test is usually around 11-14 minutes long, and it is divided into three parts – questions about yourself and your family, speaking about a random topic, and discussion on the aforementioned topic.
Q.2. What is considered a good score in IELTS?
A. An overall score of 7.0 is often considered a good score in IELTS. Score bands of 8.0 and 9.0 refer to ‘very good’ and ‘expert’ skill levels respectively.
Q.3. Can I retake the IELTS if I don’t get the score I wanted?
A. Yes! If you’re not happy with the scores of your first IELTS test, you can always retake the exam. As there is no limit to the number of times you can retake the IELTS, you can take it as many times as you want. But we would advise you to take a break between each attempt, so that you can work on your weak areas and improve your chances of getting the score you want.
Final Thoughts
Taking the IELTS (and clearing it with flying colors!) is no small feat but with the right preparation and guidance, it is definitely achievable. We hope this blog post has given you some insights on what to expect in the IELTS speaking test, and how you can prepare for it. Remember, a few mistakes here and there are perfectly fine – don’t let them get to you! Just focus on giving the best answers you can, and you’ll do great. Good luck!
