What Cambridge actually marks — the four criteria
Know what the examiner writes down. Every criteria point is trainable.
Cambridge IGCSE Speaking Paper is assessed on four criteria:
1. Fluency and Interaction
- Does the candidate speak without long pauses?
- Can they maintain a conversation (not just answer one-word questions)?
- Do they respond naturally to the examiner, building on what was said?
- Do they initiate as well as respond?
2. Vocabulary
- Is there a range of vocabulary beyond basic words?
- Do they use topic-specific vocabulary accurately?
- Do they avoid excessive repetition of the same words?
3. Grammar
- Is there a range of structures (not just simple sentences)?
- Is the grammar generally accurate?
- Do errors make comprehension difficult? (Occasional errors are acceptable.)
4. Pronunciation
- Is the speech clear and intelligible?
- Is stress used correctly on words and sentences?
- Are common sounds produced accurately?
Key message for students: Cambridge does NOT expect native-speaker perfection. A student who speaks fluently with minor grammar errors will score higher than a student who pauses for 10 seconds between each sentence to avoid errors. Fluency and communication come first.