How Examiners Score IELTS Speaking Part 2
Four criteria · Sustained talk · May 2026
In Band9AI first-party platform telemetry (see methodology), candidates completing timed speaking mocks with criterion-level feedback show an observed average practice-score change of about 0.8 bands. This is an observational practice metric, not a controlled trial or guaranteed official IELTS lift. Verification methodology
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Examiners do not assign a separate “Part 2 band.” They listen to your one-to-two-minute monologue and add evidence to the same four Speaking criteria. Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation, used for the whole interview. Part 2 rewards sustained, organised speech with clear progression through the cue-card prompts, not memorised speeches read at speed. Long hesitation, shallow bullet lists, or finishing far under time weakens the same criterion scores that cap your overall Speaking band.
Part of the IELTS Speaking Guide: every speaking trap, band descriptor and practice drill in one place.
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What examiners listen for in the monologue
During Part 2 the examiner notes whether you can hold the floor without constant repair, sequence ideas logically, and show vocabulary and grammar beyond rehearsed chunks. Notes are brief; they reflect band descriptors, not a checklist of bullet points covered.
Part 2 traps that pull criteria down
| Trap | Effect on scoring |
|---|---|
| Memorised script | Flat intonation, no natural repair, hurts FC and Pronunciation |
| Bullet-only answers | Thin development. Lexical Resource stalls |
| Early stop | Insufficient evidence for higher bands |
Timing, notes, and examiner prompts
One minute to prepare; one to two minutes to speak. Brief notes are allowed but reading them aloud breaks fluency. If you stop early, the examiner may ask you to continue, those extra seconds still count toward the same four criteria.
Key takeaways: How Examiners Score IELTS Speaking Part 2
- Part 2 feeds the four global Speaking criteria, not a separate mark.
- Sustained, organised talk beats a fast memorised monologue.
- Under-length answers remove evidence examiners need for Band 7+.
- Practice with a timer and one clear story arc per cue card.
How Examiners Score IELTS Speaking Part 2: common questions
Official IELTS references
The criteria and score bands on this page follow the public IELTS documents below. Band9AI is independent and not affiliated with the British Council, IDP or Cambridge.
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Practice drill: How Examiners Score IELTS Speaking Part 2
Reading helps you understand the problem. A timed mock shows how it affects your band, one IELTS criterion at a time.
Free 2-min band diagnostic →| Tool | Timed four-skill mock | Score for each criterion | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT / Copilot / Gemini | No | Chat only | N/A |
| Free IELTS practice sites | Partial / untimed | Limited or none | N/A |
| Band9AI | Yes: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking | Yes, based on the public IELTS band descriptors | $15 Reality Check → |
What you get from a Band9AI mock
- A band for each criterion, such as Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource and Grammar in Writing
- The one mistake pattern holding your score back, not generic advice to keep practising
- Timed practice for one skill at a time, from your dashboard after checkout
See whether your Part 2 monologue shows Band 7 evidence on all four criteria.
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