Understanding OET exam format

Are you considering the OET (Occupational English Test) to advance your career in healthcare or apply for a visa abroad from Singapore?

Understanding its exam format and suitability to your professional goals is the key to unlocking avenues and opportunities overseas. Whether you're a nurse aiming for international registration or a healthcare professional in Singapore looking to work in a new country, the OET assesses your English proficiency within a medical context.

The OET exam format is specifically designed to evaluate the English language skills of healthcare professionals. It consists of four sub-tests: Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening. Each test section assesses different aspects of communication essential for registering, practising, and working in an English-speaking healthcare environment.

OET Speaking test format

The Speaking section of the OET evaluates your ability to communicate effectively in English within a healthcare context. It is around 20 minutes long and includes role-plays where candidates interact with an interlocutor playing the role of a patient, colleague, or in the case of veterinary science, an animal’s owner or caretaker. This tests your ability to convey information clearly, provide advice, and demonstrate empathy.

OET Writing test format

In the Writing section of the OET, test-takers are required to write a letter based on a given case note within 45 minutes. The letter types vary depending on the profession (e.g. Veterinary Science, Pharmacy, Nursing, Dentistry) but typically include referral letters, discharge letters, or letters of advice. This section assesses your ability to organise and present information coherently, using appropriate medical terminology.

OET Reading test format

The Reading section of the OET is split across three parts that assess your ability to understand and interpret medical texts. Part A is 15 minutes long and involves skimming and scanning short texts for specific information quickly in order to answer a set of questions. Parts B and C have a combined time of 45 minutes; Part B involves reading six short workplace-related extracts to answer one question per extract; while Part C requires test-takers to read two longer professional-grade articles before answering eight questions.

OET Listening test format

The OET Listening section is approximately 40 minutes long and comprises 42 questions across three parts: consultations, workplace dialogues, and presentations. Test-takers listen to recordings of healthcare scenarios and answer questions to demonstrate their ability to comprehend spoken English in various medical contexts.

Tasks

In the OET Writing section, test-takers are tasked with composing a letter based on a clinical scenario. This could involve writing a discharge letter, transfer note, or a letter of advice, depending on the profession. For example, a nurse may have to write a discharge letter for a hypothetical patient under their care, whereas a physiotherapy may have to write a transfer letter to occupational therapy.

Tips and strategies

To excel in the OET Writing section, practice writing letters using OET sample materials. Familiarise yourself with the format of different letter types and ensure your responses are clear, concise, and accurate. Use medical vocabulary and terminology relevant to your profession to enhance your communication effectiveness.

Letter writing tips and templates

Utilise OET preparation materials that provide structured templates for different types of letters. Practice under timed conditions to simulate exam conditions effectively, ensuring you can manage time and complete tasks within the allocated time frame.

Tasks

The Speaking section of the OET involves role-playing scenarios specific to healthcare professions.  For instance, a nurse might conduct a consultation with a patient or discuss a treatment plan with a colleague. This section evaluates the test-taker’s ability to communicate effectively, demonstrate empathy, and handle professional interactions in English.

Tips and strategies

Practise role-plays with colleagues or friends to simulate real exam conditions. Focus on maintaining a professional demeanour, using appropriate medical terminology, and demonstrating effective communication skills. Pay attention to pronunciation, intonation, and clarity in your responses.

Describe image tips & templates

Utilise role-play templates provided by OET preparation materials to structure your responses effectively. Practice managing time during role-plays to ensure you can complete tasks within the allocated time frame, enhancing your performance in the Speaking section while also showing your real-world capabilities.

Tasks

Part A of the OET Reading section requires candidates to quickly locate specific information within medical texts. It tests your ability to skim and scan for information efficiently, crucial for tasks such as extracting patient information or understanding medical guidelines.

Parts B and C are combined as they both involve a more detailed analysis of longer texts and extracts, requiring comprehension and critical evaluation skills. This test section assesses your ability to comprehend and analyse complex medical information.

Tips and strategies

Enhance your skimming and scanning techniques by practising with OET sample tests. Focus on identifying key information quickly and efficiently in Part A. For Parts B and C, practice reading academic texts and summarising key points effectively, ensuring you can comprehend and analyse medical information within the given timeframe.

Analysing and interpreting graphs, charts, and diagrams

Prepare for questions that require you to interpret medical graphs, charts, and diagrams in the Reading section. Practice analysing visual data to extract relevant information and answer related questions accurately, enhancing your performance on exam day.

Tasks

The OET Listening section evaluates your ability to understand spoken English in healthcare settings. It includes three parts: consultations, workplace dialogues, and presentations. Test-takers listen to recordings of these scenarios and answer questions to demonstrate comprehension.

Tips and strategies

Develop active listening skills by regularly listening to medical podcasts, lectures, or recordings. Practice summarising key information and identifying main ideas during the recordings. Focus on understanding accents and variations in speech to enhance your listening comprehension in diverse medical contexts.

Preparing effectively for the OET exam can significantly enhance your performance. Here are a few tips to help you practise for the test:

Practice regularly

Utilise OET sample tests and mock exams to familiarise yourself with the format and timing of each section. Regular practice will help you become comfortable with the exam structure and improve your performance.

Focus on medical vocabulary

Enhance your medical vocabulary and terminology relevant to your profession to improve comprehension and communication skills. Practice using specialised medical terms in context to ensure clarity and precision in your communication during the exam.

Work on your general English proficiency

On top of improving your medical vocabulary and terminology, be sure to improve your general English communication skills as well. Reading or listening to medical and healthcare-related texts, videos, or even podcasts will help you better understand how to communicate effectively in a range of situations.

Familiarise yourself with the OET assessment criteria

Each OET sub-test is assessed and marked according to their own criteria. Understanding what this criteria entails will allow you to identify your weaknesses or blind spots and recognise what steps you need to take to improve your score.

Time management

Practice under timed conditions to ensure you complete each section within the allocated time. As you get closer to your OET test date, sit for mock full-length tests to emulate the test conditions exactly. Effective time management is crucial for maximising your performance on exam day.

When comparing the OET and IELTS, it's crucial to understand their respective formats and applications.

The OET is tailored specifically for healthcare professionals such as nurses, doctors, veterinarians, therapists, and more, aiming to register or work abroad. It focuses extensively on medical contexts, with the exam assessing candidates' ability to communicate effectively within healthcare settings through tasks like role-plays and medical letter writing.

On the other hand, the IELTS is recognised globally across diverse industries, including academic admissions, immigration, and professional registration. It offers two modules: Academic and General Training. The Academic module is suited for those pursuing higher education or professional registration in fields such as medicine, engineering, or law. Meanwhile, the General Training module is ideal for individuals seeking employment or migration opportunities in English-speaking countries, assessing everyday English skills in work and social contexts.

While the OET ensures proficiency within healthcare-specific scenarios, IELTS provides broader applicability across various professional domains worldwide, with over 12,000 institutions and organisations worldwide accepting the IELTS. This flexibility makes IELTS a preferred choice for individuals seeking versatile opportunities beyond healthcare, including academic pursuits, international migration, and professional career advancements.