OET listening

The OET listening test can be a challenge for numerous candidates. However, with regular practice and right
guidance, you can easily ace the test. In order to score good in your listening examination, we have clubbed below
top 10 listening tips that can help you improve your listening abilities.
Write as much as you can- Always take notes while listening to conversation. When a professional and patient are
communicating with each other, try to note down as much as you can so that in the end, you have sufficient notes to
write.
Do not copy what you hear word for word- Learn to brief the information. Do not copy word to word as it is difficult
process. If you note each and every word, then you won’t be able to complete whole task. Note down the important
clues but not every word.
Take 2-3 pencils– Since you will be listening and jotting down the points, so keep 2-3 pencils handy, so that you do
not need sharpening again and again. This would save your time which you would have otherwise spent on
sharpening your pencils.
Practice Audio Books– There is numerous audio books available on the internet that you can refer to. Find an audio
book of your choice and interest and practice it regularly to improve your listening capabilities.
Refer to talking websites– If you are hearing this term for the first time, then does not get surprised. If you are not
fond of reading long paragraphs, then you can listen to them. Various websites have installed this feature on their
website that enables users to listen content over their website. This again would be beneficial in improving your
listening skills.
Practice Study material– Referring to and practicing OET study material would help you get a better idea of the test.
If you are wondering from where you can get updated OET study material, then do not need to worry.
Take the help of radio/television– Watching and listening to the popular shows on TV and radio would help you
improve your listening skills and at the same time enhance your knowledge as well.
Focus on Your communication Skills- The passing criteria for OET listening test is not based on how well you are
on memorizing things, rather how well you are in communicating. If you are good in communication, it will give
you an added benefit and your chance of success eventually get doubled.
Do not write in complete sentences- Do not write in complete sentences. Learn to jot down the main points. Leave
articles and connectives while writing the conversation as you are supposed to tell specific information.
Aim for a clear, concise and detailed presentation of the information- Make sure that you present your information
in clear and concise manner. If you arrange the information in a proper way then you will score more. If you have to
tell that where exactly the patient had pain or what kind of pain it is so you have to condense the information while
listening to a conversation.

OET Writing
OET Writing Task is all about practice. Many candidates repeatedly sit the OET but do not clear the writing section
as they do not have the right approach. If you are one of those candidates, you should learn the strategies of OET
writing.
Know the marking criteria
It is important to know what the right marking criterion is. Your task is marked on the basis of these criteria. One is
overall task fulfillment, second is Appropriateness of language. Third is Comprehension of stimulus – choose to
include the most relevant information to the situation. This shows the marker you have understood the stimulus. You
are checked on the basis of grammar and cohesion and your presentation features.
Consider Key Points
In your writing task, you should know each of the key points because these are the things that the examiner will be
looking out for. So if you are confidently fulfilling the required criteria, then you can definitely impress the
examiner.
Use Abbreviations
You can use abbreviations that are frequently accepted in the candidate’s profession and clear to the Assessors may
be used in the Writing sub-test, for example “BMI” for body mass index, or units of measurement such as “mg”.
Right usage of language is one of the five assessment criteria for the Writing sub-test.
Know the Writing sub-test structure
The task is to write a letter, generally a referral letter. Sometimes you have to write a different type of letter for
example a letter of transfer or discharge, or a letter to advise or inform a patient, group or career.
Follow the task instructions
Always follow the instructions in the exam. You will receive prompt material (case notes and/or other related
documentation) which includes information to use in your reply.
Check grammar and spellings
Check your grammar after finishing your task. Check the spellings and punctuation. Your layout of writing should
be impressive.
Know the word limit
You should know the word limit. Follow the required word length which is around 180 to 200 words. Do not write
which is not required in the task.
Use appropriate vocabulary
Organize your writing in such a way that it impresses the examiner. Choose the suitable vocabulary and tone for the
particular situation. Give clear ideas.
Know how your writing ability is assessed
Your performance on the Writing sub-test is marked by a minimum of two trained Assessors. First Assessor does
not know what scores the other has given you, or what scores you have attained on any of the other sub-tests. Your
performance is scored against five criteria and receives a band score for each criterion.
Know which tense is required
Use simple past tense according to condition mentioned in your letter. To explain anything you did in the past whilst
the patient was under your care. For this kind of situation use past tense like you performed dressings on Mr
Brown’s wound. This medicine was prescribed to patient. Write correct tense according to situation asked in the test.
OET READING
OET, also known as Occupational English Test contains two papers. Part A test lasts for the duration of 15 minutes,
whereas Part B test lasts for 45 minutes. In order to ace the OET reading test, below we have mentioned several
effective reading tips. These tips would help you score good in your OET reading test.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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 SPEAKING

OET Speaking Tips 1 – Start the conversation

A lot of candidates make the mistake of thinking that the OET speaking sub-test is an examination and not a medical
situation. As such they wait for the OET person (the patient) to do the talking. Imagine that you are in a professional
setting and you are the nurse, doctor or dentist. You are in control. The OET person is the patient – not the OET
person.

As such, it’s up to you to start the conversation.

Here’s an OET sample for nurses:

Don’t sit there and make the patient start the conversation. It’s up to you.

OET Speaking Tips 2 – Keep the conversation moving

It’s also up to you to maintain the conversation. If the conversation stops and silence happens you need to bring it
back to life.

Here’s a sample:

“So, please tell me a little bit more about your situation.”

Or,

“Is there anything that you would like to add?”

OET Speaking Tips 3 – Ask questions to get the patient to talk

If the patient is reluctant to speak, you will need to ask questions that force him to speak.

Consider the following two questions. Which one will get the conversation moving?

1. Do you feel sore?

You need to think of questions that will get the patient to talk – to open up and tell you more.

OET Speaking Tips 4 – Listen to the patient

Although the OET speaking sub-test is a test of your speaking ability, it is as much a test of your listening ability. In
order to “reply” you need to understand what the patient says.

Perhaps more importantly, you need to “listen” in terms of hearing what the person has to say. Don’t just
concentrate on your performance, concentrate on communication. You need to respond appropriately to what the
patient says – even if you are nervous.

What’s interesting is that the more that you concentrate on communication through listening, the less nervous you
will be. When you focus on yourself – on your performance – the more nervous you will get.

OET Speaking Tips 5 – Adjust your language

Depending on who you are speaking to, you need to adjust your language to suit the scenario.
Think about this:

You are talking to a depressed 87-year-old man.

You are talking to an aggressive 18-year-old man.

How would your language change? How would the words and intonation change?

OET Speaking Tips 6 – Unexpected turns…

Every now and then the OET person will test you by asking you something a little odd. He or she wants to see how
well you respond – how flexible you are in your thinking and language.

For example, “What’s the phone number of the occupational therapist?”

What do you do? Do you laugh? No. You give a phone number, or you say:

“I will give you the number after our consultation.”

OET Speaking Tips 7 – Organize the role play

If you really want an A you will have to organize the role play into clear stages with an introduction, body and
conclusion.

In the introduction, you introduce yourself, welcome the patient and summaries’ the scenario.

In the body, you move through the tasks, one-by-one.

In the conclusion, if you have time, you should summarize the role play by saying:

“Ok, so we have discussed the use of X and although I understand your concerns, I think it’s the best thing to do.”

The key to OET speaking

Although you can read ABOUT the OET all day long, when it comes to success it’s all about OET preparation. You
need to prepare for the OET. You do need to be careful of the OET material for nurses that is available online and
for sale on Gum tree and other classifieds. Sometimes it can be very different from the actual OET. You need to
make sure that the OET materials that you use are similar to the actual OET test.