Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
Hesitation in the descriptors
From the Speaking band descriptors.
| Band | Hesitation wording |
|---|---|
| 9 | Any hesitation that occurs is used only to prepare the content of the next utterance and not to find words or grammar |
| 8 | Hesitation may occasionally be used to find words or grammar, but most will be content related |
| 7 | Some hesitation... may occur, often mid-sentence... However, these will not affect coherence |
| 5 | Hesitations are often associated with mid-sentence searches for fairly basic lexis and grammar |
| 4 | Unable to keep going without noticeable pauses |
| 3 | Frequent, sometimes long, pauses occur while candidate searches for words |
Pauses that help
The Speaking key assessment criteria treat some pausing as positive: coherence includes 'clear marking (with appropriate use of pausing, and spoken discourse markers and fillers) of stages in a discussion'. A pause between ideas can make an answer easier to follow.
IDP suggests phrases that buy thinking time naturally, such as 'That's an interesting question' and 'Let me think about that for a moment' (IDP).
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Thinking time in Part 2
Part 2 gives you one minute to prepare with pencil and paper before you speak (ielts.org). Parts 1 and 3 have no preparation time, so short pauses and fillers are how you plan there.
Frequently asked questions
Is saying 'um' penalised?+
The key criteria list appropriate fillers as part of coherence. Frequent fillers while searching for basic words are what lower fluency.
How long a pause is too long?+
ielts.org gives no number. The descriptors describe noticeable pauses at band 4 and long pauses to find words at band 3.
Can I ask for time to think?+
IDP suggests phrases such as 'Let me think about that for a moment', which are natural in conversation.
Does speaking fast help fluency?+
Not by itself. Band 6 Pronunciation notes rhythm can suffer from a rapid speech rate.
Keep reading
Related
- Can you correct yourself in IELTS Speaking?
- Can you ask the examiner to repeat the question?
- IELTS Speaking 6 to 7
- All 3112 guides
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