Occupational English Test) …………… Majority owned by Cambridge Assessment English. … OET is recognized and trusted by healthcare boards and councils in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai and Singapore.

OET (The Occupational English Test) is an English Proficiency Test specializing in particular professions including Nursing. In order to become a registered nurse in some countries like Australia, people are required to submit an IELTS score to show English Competency or an OET score.Many people in the Medical profession such as nurses are not aware that an OET score can be submitted instead of IELTS score, there are many nurses who are finding it difficult and giving up on their dream & the chance to become a registered nurse in countries such as Australia and New Zealand. All Medical professionals who are facing the same situation, like repeatedly getting low scores and still in the same English level, can try to obtain a higher score in OET? The OET result is likely to be useful when you are applying for permanent residency as a proof of your English skill.

OET for Medical Professions such as:-

The medical professions that the OET covers include: Dentist, Pharmacist, Dietician, Podiatrist, Medical Doctor, Physiotherapist, Nurse, Radiographer, Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist, Optometrist, and Veterinarian.

What is OET Exam about?

The OET is known as -Occupational English Test . It is an international English language test for the healthcare sector. It assesses the language communication skills of healthcare professionals who wish to register and practise in an English-speaking environment. It asses the 4 skills such as Speaking, Reading, Listening & Writing.

The OET consists of 4 bands; Speaking, Reading, Writing, Listening. However, unlike IELTS, all topics within the OET are about medical related issues; this is very different from IELTS.

In the speaking section of the OET, students are usually asked to be a nurse in two role plays during the test. Just like with the speaking component of the exam, the other three sections have each a different structure; in the reading section, students will have to study contemporary medical subjects, such as swine flu, stroke, and pneumonia. In the writing section, the student taking the exam is asked to write a referral letter as if they are a nurse transferring a patient from their own ward to another community hospital.  As for the listening component of the exam, the student will hear a conversation between a doctor and a patient, and also listen to a lecture given by a medical professional.

How many years is the validity of OET?

For registration purposes the OET is valid for 2 years and for immigration purposes it is valid for 3 years.

OET Test Dates:

OET is available at more than 100 locations in 40 countries, with test dates every month.OET Exam requirements:

OET – Candidates need to produce valid ID documentation when applying and taking the exam. In Australia: You must provide your valid passport as proof of identity.

Four Skills are assessed

Listening (50 minutes)

Reading (1 hour)

Listening and Reading will be the same as IELTS.

Writing (45 minutes)

Speaking (20 minutes)

(According to their subjects, Writing and Speaking will differ)

OET Practice Tips for Writing:

Understand the exam format. Writing within the writing limits is essential. …

Build your spelling skills. …

Research on the accepted layout for different kinds of letters.

OET Practice Tips for Listening:

Brushing up on Listening Skills/Be a good Listener

Getting Acquainted With Different Accents / Different Speech Patterns /American/British/Australian

Taking Notes

Answering Precisely

Do Not Just Hover Over One Same Question

When you are stuck for an answer for any question, it is advisable that you leave it and go on to the next one in order to save time.

Regular Practice

OET Practice Tips on Reading:

Practice- In order to ace in the reading test, there are several reading tips that you need to follow. Try to speak as much English you can.  This would help you get a hold of the grammar and sentence structure.

Follow Writer’s Instructions- When you are reading, pay attention to the writer’s point of view. This part can be tricky, because you will need to choose the answers according to the writer’s point of view and not yours.

Narrow down the Research– You can go through the various options and cut off the ones which are completely wrong. Narrowing down the research would help you come closely to the right answers.

Consider Other Options– In order to make a right choice; you can consider other options as well.  Look what other sentences have in common and what it is trying to convey.

Work on Comprehension– Reading magazines and articles is highly suggested as it will help you improve your comprehension abilities. The purpose of reading articles is dual purpose. Firstly, it would help you improve your reading skills and secondly, it would help you improve your retention power.

Jot down the important points– Once you have finished reading, try to jot down the points that you can remember. Your comprehension skills are likely to get improved if you follow this practice regularly.

Answer to the point – While giving answers; try to be as direct as you can. Read the questions carefully and then try to give clear and direct answer.

Manage Time effectively– Tests like OET, demand effective time management.   You need to complete the test within a specific time duration.  Therefore, try to make judicious use of your time without wasting a single time.

Develop Fast thinking– You are given just 15 minutes to read and get to the core of the comprehension. In order to give correct answers, you need to develop fast thinking. This can again be done by regularly practicing the study material.

Don’t Rush– At any point of time, do not rush and conclude the things. Spend good time in reading and understanding the comprehension so that you can get close to the answers.

OET Practice Speaking Tips:

Finish on time– Each role-play is planned to obtain a measurable illustration of speech which reflects the speaking ability of the test takers in a health profession context. It is natural for a role-play to move toward the end at about the 5-minute mark. If this does not occur, the Interlocutor will give an indication that it is time to finish the role-play.

Take notes– The test takers can take notes on the role-play cards if they want. These notes can be referred to the card at any time during the role-play. Candidates must return the card to the Interlocutor at the end of the role-play.

You must start the conversation– Some candidates make the mistake of waiting for the other person (interlocutor) to start the conversation. In this case, imagine that you are in a healthcare setting and you are the nurse, doctor or dentist. This means you are in control and not the OET person.

Keep conversations going– It is up to you to continue the conversation. If the conversation stops and stillness occurs you need to bring it back to life. Remember, OET Speaking assesses your skills and not the interlocutor’s; hence it is your responsibility to keep the conversation going.

Listen carefully– Although OET speaking is a test of your speaking abilities, it also tests your listening abilities. In order to reply correctly, you need to recognize what the patient says. This can only be done if you listen carefully, comprehend and then answer.

Look into the eyes of the Examiner– Always maintain appropriate eye-contact with the assessor. It makes you look confident. Typically nervous candidates look here and there and it becomes tricky for the assessor to recognize what the speaker is trying to say. Rather, looking into the eyes of the examiner keeps you focused and make you look confident.

Organize your ideas for the role-play– If you want grade A in the OET Speaking sub-test, you will have to organize your thoughts or opinions for the role play into clear stages with an introduction, body, and conclusion. In the introduction part, you can introduce yourself, greet the patient and sum up the situation. In the body part, you can go through the tasks, one-by-one and in the conclusion, you should summarize the role play.

Know the marking criteria– Your performance for OET speaking subtest for each of the two role-plays is scored against five criteria, which are- intelligibility, overall communicative effectiveness, fluency, appropriateness and resources of grammar and expression.

Take help– Sample tests help candidates prepare for the exam. These tests help you to be confident in the role-play and prepare well for speaking test. Candidates who pay attention to the details of the specific role-play task, and who are familiar with the assessment criteria, have a better chance of performing well and demonstrate their ability in the key areas.