This IELTS Speaking Practice Test has 3 Sections. In Part 1, you will be asked questions by your examiner for 4-5 minutes about the topic of Exams. In Part 2, you will be given a cue card for a monologue of 2 minutes based on the topic Describe an Exam That Was Difficult For You, followed by more in-depth questions for another 4-5 minutes based on the cue card in Part 3. Overall, the speaking test takes 15 minutes.
IELTS Speaking Part 1
Exams
Q1. Do you get nervous before exams?
A. Yes, definitely. I usually feel quite nervous before important exams because I put a lot of pressure on myself to perform well. For example, before my final school examinations, I could hardly sleep properly due to stress and overthinking. I also tend to worry about forgetting important information during the exam. However, I try to stay calm by revising regularly, listening to music occasionally, and managing my time carefully before the examination day.
Q2. How do you usually prepare for exams?
A. I usually prepare by creating a study schedule and revising topics step by step instead of studying everything at the last moment. I also make short notes and practice previous question papers because they help me understand the exam pattern better. Besides that, I sometimes study with my friend Armaan so we can discuss difficult topics together. I believe regular revision and proper time management are extremely important for reducing exam stress.
Q3. Do you think exams are important?
A. Yes, I think exams are important because they help evaluate a student’s knowledge and academic progress. They also encourage students to remain disciplined and focused on their studies. However, I do not believe exams are the only way to measure intelligence because some students are talented in practical or creative fields rather than written tests. In my opinion, schools should also consider presentations, projects, and practical performance while assessing students.
Q4. What kinds of exams do students take in your country?
A. In India, students take various kinds of examinations, such as school board exams, university entrance tests, and competitive exams for government jobs. Some of the most well-known examinations include JEE, NEET, and UPSC. These exams are often highly competitive and require long-term preparation. Many students even attend coaching centres for several years to improve their chances of success.
Q5. Have exams changed compared to the past?
A. Yes, significantly. Nowadays, many exams are conducted online, and students have access to digital study materials, online mock tests, and educational apps. In the past, students depended mostly on textbooks and classroom notes. I think technology has made exam preparation more convenient and accessible than before. At the same time, online learning has increased competition because students can now compare their performance with thousands of others across the country.
Vocabulary
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Overthinking: Thinking about something too much in a stressful way
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Revising: Studying something again to prepare for an exam
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Disciplined: Controlled and responsible in behaviour or work
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Assessing: Judging or evaluating something carefully
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Competitive: Involving strong competition to succeed
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Coaching Centres: Institutions where students receive extra teaching for exams
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Accessible: Easy to obtain, use, or understand
IELTS Speaking Part 2
Cue Card
Describe An Exam That Was Difficult For You
You should say:
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What the exam was
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When you took it
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Why was it difficult
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And explain how you felt after the exam
Sample Answer
One difficult exam that I clearly remember was my higher secondary English examination, which I took about two years ago. Although English is one of my favourite subjects, I found this particular exam quite challenging because the questions were unexpectedly complicated and required detailed answers within a limited amount of time.
Before the exam, I had prepared seriously by revising grammar rules, practising writing tasks, and solving previous years’ question papers. However, when I entered the examination hall, I realised that several questions in the literature section were from topics I had not focused on properly. As a result, I became extremely nervous and struggled to manage my time effectively.
The most difficult part was the writing section because I had to complete multiple answers quickly while maintaining accuracy and good vocabulary. I remember constantly checking the clock and feeling stressed throughout the exam. Some students around me finished earlier, which increased my anxiety even more.
After the exam ended, I felt mentally exhausted and disappointed because I thought my performance was not good enough. However, after receiving the results a few months later, I was surprised to see that I had actually scored quite well. This experience taught me the importance of staying calm under pressure and preparing for every topic equally instead of depending only on selected chapters.
Vocabulary
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Challenging: Difficult in an interesting or demanding way
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Complicated: Difficult to understand or deal with
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Revising: Studying something again for preparation
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Accuracy: The quality of being correct and free from mistakes
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Anxiety: Strong worry or nervousness
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Exhausted: Extremely tired mentally or physically
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Pressure: Stress or demands caused by a difficult situation
IELTS Speaking Part 3
Q1. Why do many students feel stressed before exams?
A. I think students feel stressed before exams because they are under pressure to achieve good results and meet expectations from parents, teachers, and even themselves. In competitive education systems like India’s, examination scores often influence university admissions and career opportunities. As a result, many students become anxious and overwork themselves before important tests.
Q2. Do you think examinations are an effective way to evaluate students?
A. Partly, yes. Examinations are useful for measuring academic knowledge and testing how well students understand subjects. However, I do not think they can fully evaluate creativity, communication skills, or practical abilities. Some students perform poorly in written exams despite being highly talented in real-life situations.
Q3. How has technology changed exam preparation?
A. Technology has changed exam preparation enormously by making study materials more accessible and convenient. Nowadays, students can attend online classes, watch tutorials, and take mock tests through educational apps and websites. During my own exam preparation, platforms like YouTube and Google Classroom helped me understand difficult topics much more easily.
Q4. Should schools reduce the number of exams students take?
A. In my opinion, yes, to some extent. Too many examinations can create excessive stress and reduce students’ interest in learning. Instead of focusing only on written tests, schools should include presentations, assignments, and practical activities as part of the evaluation process. This would help students develop a wider range of skills.
Q5. Why are competitive exams becoming more common nowadays?
A. Competitive exams are becoming more common because the number of students applying for universities and jobs has increased significantly. Organisations need a fair way to select candidates from large numbers of applicants. Exams like JEE, NEET, and UPSC are designed to identify students who are academically strong and capable of handling pressure effectively.
Vocabulary
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Expectations: Beliefs about what someone should achieve or do
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Influence: The power to affect something or someone
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Evaluate: To judge or assess something carefully
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Accessible: Easy to obtain, use, or understand
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Excessive: More than necessary or reasonable
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Assignments: Tasks or work given to students
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Applicants: People who apply for jobs, courses, or positions