OET Coaching Center in Kerala

OET or Occupational English Test is used to evaluate the linguistic skills of healthcare professionals for the purpose of registration and practicing in an English-speaking environment. It provides a justifiable assessment of all four language skills – listening, reading, writing, and speaking in relation to the communication procedures in the healthcare environment.

The aim of the test is to make sure that the candidate has the ability to communicate with patients, colleagues, doctors, etc., and thereby ensures the smooth functioning of the healthcare facility. The health professionals from the following categories are assessed under OET:

• Medicine
• Dentistry
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Veterinary Science
• Dietetics
• Optometry
• Radiography
• Physiotherapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech Pathology
• Podiatry

The listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills of the candidate are analyzed in the test. A minimum of grade B is needed in each skill to be accepted by various professional boards. There is a sub-test for each skill area. The Listening and Reading sub-texts are common to all professions and are intended to evaluate the candidate on his/her ability to understand spoken and written English in circumstances connected to general health and medicine.

Components of OET

Listening

Listening subtest
The new listening sub-test consists of 42 questions in three parts(Part A, B and C). The total duration of listening is around 40 minutes. You will be tested on a range of listening and language skills, including different accents. A candidate can predict, identify, paraphrase, use synonyms as well as specific details to find out the answers.
The listening sub-test is the same for all 12 professions, and it is a kind of multitasking. You need to write simultaneously while hearing the conversation.
Listening Part A
This part lasts about 15 minutes. In total, part A contains 24 questions, 12 for each of the two extracts(consultations between the doctor and a patient). you will get 30 seconds to read the content before each extract. The type of question is sentence completion.
Listening Part B
In Part B, you will hear six recordings for 6 multiple choice questions. Each audio is 40 to 60 seconds long. There is one multiple choice question for each workplace extract, with three possible answers.
Listening Part C
The final part of the listening sub-test lasts around 15 minutes, and you will hear two recordings of healthcare professionals( health talk or presentations). There are 12 questions and, as in Part B, you need to choose from three possible answers.
The candidate needs to maintain a better focus and concentration to find out the answers.

Reading

Reading sub test
The topics are of common healthcare context and are therefore accessible to candidates across all
professions. The Reading sub-test contains three parts( A,B and C)with a total of 42 questions. The total duration the the sub test is 60 minutes. Moreover, it is divided into 15 mins for part A and 45 mins for both part B and C
Reading subtest structure
Part A
This part consist of 20 questions(accounts for 20 marks) Including different question pattern such as paragraph identification,question answer type and sentence completion. A candidate can use skimming and scanning to find out the answers.

Part B
This part consist of 6 questions(accounts for 6 marks ). Each one is a multiple choice question with 3 options. The answers need to be identified from each paragraph which is given below the question.

Part C
This part comprises of 16 questions(accounts for 16 marks) with two long passages. Here, all the questions will be multiple choice with four options.

You will not be given extra time at the end of the sub-test to
check your answers. So effective time management is necessary. For part B and C ,a candidate can use roughly 2 minutes for a single question. The test is designed so that the time available is enough for you to read, choose your answers, and check your work. Fast reading is the key for part A while part B needs in-depth reading.

Writing

About the Writing sub-test

The Writing sub-test takes 45 minutes and is profession-specific. There is one task set for each profession based on a typical workplace situation and the demands of the profession – a nurse does the task for nursing, a dentist does the task for dentistry, and so on.

The Writing sub-test structure

The task is to write a letter, usually a referral letter. Sometimes a different type of letter is required: e.g. a letter of transfer or discharge, or a letter to advise or inform a patient, carer, or group.

Along with the task instructions, you will receive stimulus material (case notes and/or other related documentation) which includes information to use in your response.

Speaking

Speaking sub-test overview
The speaking sub-test takes about 20 minutes. It is a profession specific test in which the candidates are required to complete two role plays based on typical workplace situation. The candidates use materials specially designed for their profession.
Initially, there is a short warm up talk about your professional background after which you are given two role, one after another.
The candidate will get 3 minutes of preparation time before each role play and each role play lasts for 5 minutes. The whole conversation is recorded and then assessed by two different assessors in Australia. OET will assess the candidate’s ability to deal with situations that occur realistically in the workplace
Assessment criteria: candidates performance in the two role plays is assessed against language criteria as well as clinical criteria; which includes:
Overall communication effectiveness, intelligibility, fluency, appropriateness,resources of grammar and expression, relationship building, information taking and giving,as well as reestablishment

OET – FAQ’s

1. Why should a candidate choose OET?

OET or Occupational English Test is accepted by all healthcare regulatory bodies in UK, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and Singapore for registration purposes. A wide range of preparatory materials are available online and free of charge. Getting qualified in the OET exam will enable the candidate to attain confidence to work in an English speaking healthcare environment.

2. Can any professional who wish to go to Australia take up the OET test?

No. OET is an English Language test specifically designed for those professional having a healthcare background. The 12 different professional categories that are qualified to attend the OET examination are:

• Medicine
• Dentistry
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Veterinary Science
• Dietetics
• Optometry
• Radiography
• Physiotherapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech Pathology
• Podiatry

3. Is it mandatory to score B grade in all four modules? 

It is mandatory to score B grade in all four modules. But if you are opting for Ireland, you need to score B grade in Writing and Speaking modules and a C+ grade in Reading and Listening modules.

4. I am a nurse by profession and I wish to take the OET examination. I am planning to go to New Zealand. Can you please describe the necessary procedures?

OET is accepted by all major healthcare councils in New Zealand. Candidates need to score a minimum of B grade in each module to be eligible for registration. If the candidate fails to score B grade in any module, he/she can attend that particular module again but he/she should have scored a minimum of C grade in that module; otherwise the candidate should retake the whole components of the test again.

 5. Is OET required for nurses who wish to work in Singapore?

Native English speakers need not take OET but non-native English speakers will need to demonstrate their English language skills according to the requirements set by the Singapore Medical Council. Candidates must obtain a minimum of grade B in all four components of the test.

6. Can you provide information about the clubbing of OET grades in the UK?

Clubbing of OET scores are accepted in the UK according to the following standards:

1. A maximum of two test scores can be taken for clubbing and the tests must be taken in a period of 6 months.
2. Candidate must attend all four sub-tests in all cases as he/she cannot appear for one section alone.
3. The individual grade of each component should not be below c+ for clubbing.
4. After the scores are clubbed, the candidate has to obtain at least grade B in all the four sub-tests.

7.  Are the score clubbing rules same for all countries?

No, the score clubbing option is different for different countries as the Medical Council of the respective country formulates different rules. As per the latest information, clubbing option is available for all countries except Ireland.

8. Can you give a detailed information about OET examination procedures in Australia?

As a part of Australian standards, the candidate has to score a minimum of B grade in each component in the first attempt. Otherwise, the candidate can sit for two tests in a six month period under the following criteria:

1. Candidate has to appear for all four components of the test in each sitting.
2. Candidate has to achieve a minimum score of B in all four components after the two sittings.
3. If the candidate opts for a clubbing option,the score in any component of the test should not fall below C+.

9. Can I apply for a revaluation if I want my test results to be evaluated again?

Yes, you can opt for a revaluation if you are not satisfied with your OET test results. The request for revaluation should be made within 5 days after your results are published online.

10. How does OET differ from other language exams?

International language exams like IELTS, TOEFL and PTE tests a candidate’s English language proficiency in a general context. But OET tests the individual’s linguistic skills in a medical context. The candidate should complete the task of handling real life healthcare scenarios related to their field such as making prescriptions and delivering verbal diagnosis.

11. What is the validity of OET test score?

OET scores are valid up to two years.

12. What all materials should I carry with me to the test room?

You should carry your original passport to the test room. You should also carry good quality pencils and erasers with you. Water in a small bottle without label is also allowed inside the test centre.

13. What if I can’t appear on the test day and I need to postpone my exam?

You can postpone your test to another day only under medical reasons. You will be charged an admin fee to postpone the test. In all other cases where the candidate fails to provide a medical certificate, he/she needs to take another test date by paying the full test fees again.

14. Which is needed more to crack the OET test – English language skill or medical knowledge?

OET is a language test that ensures the English language competency of a candidate working in a healthcare environment. So, you need to improve your language skills in all four aspects(Listening, Reading,Writing and Speaking) as your professional knowledge is not evaluated in the examination.

15. When will I get to know my OET test results?

You can view your test results in the OET website after 16 business days from the test date. The Test Report Form will be posted to your address 7-10 business days after your results are published online.

16. Will the updated OET from September 2018 be harder?

OET 2.0 version is as same as the previous one.
Skills and competencies needed to get the desired score remain the same.
OET provides updated preparation materials in order to practice better for the latest version.

17. Is there any change in OET grades for the UK?

The decision regarding which grade is accepted by regulating authorities is made by the regulating authority itself(NMC), and not by the OET. A team of trainers working closely with the NMC regarding which OET grade they wish to accept for Writing and will keep update on the website. fortunately, there is a process ongoing to file a petition regarding the reduction of writing score from B to C plus for nurses.

18. Is there any recent update happened in OET writing module?

OET is going to make several updations in writing assessment criteria to make it more clear, that will effect from August 2019. OET will make changes in a sample response of letter that is already present in the official website.