How is fluency assessed in the speaking section of the test?

Fluency in the speaking section of the test is assessed primarily by measuring the speed and smoothness of the spoken responses. Fluency refers to how effortlessly and coherently a speaker can communicate their thoughts in speech. This includes factors such as the ability to maintain a steady pace without excessive hesitation or pauses, as well as the smoothness of the production of speech.

When assessing fluency, evaluators pay attention to how naturally the candidate expresses ideas and the overall flow of their speech, rather than just focusing on the complexity of the vocabulary or the accuracy of pronunciation. While other aspects like vocabulary diversity and pronunciation may contribute to overall speaking proficiency, they do not directly measure fluency itself.