Preparation time (Part 2) refers to the one minute that IELTS Speaking candidates receive before they must speak on a topic in Part 2 of the test. During this time, candidates are handed a cue card with a topic and several prompts. They may make notes on the provided paper to organize their ideas and structure their response. This preparation period is a fixed part of the test format and is the only time candidates are permitted to plan their answer in advance.
Importance for IELTS Speaking band score
- Fluency and coherence: Using the preparation time effectively helps candidates deliver a more organized and fluent response, which is assessed by examiners under the fluency and coherence criterion.
- Lexical resource: Planning can help candidates recall and use a wider range of vocabulary relevant to the topic, supporting a higher score in lexical resource.
- Grammatical range and accuracy: Candidates who plan can include a variety of grammatical structures, improving their grammatical range and accuracy score.
For example, if the cue card asks about "a memorable journey," a candidate might use the minute to jot down key points such as the destination, companions, activities, and feelings. This allows them to speak smoothly for the required 1-2 minutes, covering all prompts and demonstrating organized, relevant language use. Effective use of preparation time can make a noticeable difference in a candidate's overall performance.
