IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is one of the most popular English proficiency tests in the world. As the first study in Taiwan, this paper addresses the major errors that Taiwanese IELTS candidates make in its Speaking Test across the four assessment criteria set by Cambridge ESOL. The focus of this research is on the features of output test scores of the Taiwanese IELTS candidates. The researcher looked into a data of over 500 samples both qualitatively and quantitatively, finding that internal correlations among the four test criteria are strong, and the mean score is one-band lower than the required by many British universities. This paper is intended as an investigation of how college English programmes in Taiwan could benefit from the positive washback effect of the IELTS test. It is believed that this research can provide valid information for college English teachers to improve their speaking courses.
