Occupational English Test
It is also an English Language Proficiency Test like the IELTS, TOFEL and PTE but it is opted by specific professionals. In order to work as certain professionals especially the medical field, individuals need to produce an OET (Occupational English Test) score in several countries. It provides a valid and reliable assessment of all four language skills-listening, speaking, reading and writing. It also emphasizes communication in healthcare professional settings.
Who can appear for the Exam:-
Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Radiography, Speech Pathology, Veterniary Science.
Exam pattern/ structure:-
The exam is conducted in four modules, similar to that of the IELTS. While the writing and speaking tests are available in 12 different areas of healthcare. OET (Occupational English Test) results are accepted in, UK, IRELAND, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, DUBAI, NAMIBIA, SINGAPORE, America.
The OET scores are provided in 6 levels:-
A- Very high level of performance
B- High level of performance
C- Good level of performance
D- Moderate level of performance
E- Low level of performance
The minimum score required to be accepted internationally is B.
MODULES:-
1. LISTENING SECTION:-
The allotted time for the test is 45 minutes. The test is divided into 3 parts and has 42 questions.
| Part A :- | Part B :- | Part c :- |
| Consultation extracts (5 mins. Approx.) here your ability to identify certain specific information while listening to the recording also known as consultation extracts isassessed. Once the recording starts, you will listen to two recorded conversations between a health professional and a patient. You need to complete the questions given or notes by using the information you hear. | Short workplace extracts (1 minute approx..) In this part, your ability to identify the detail, gist, opinion, purpose of short extracts from the healthcare workplace is tested. You will listen to six recordings or short extracts detailing team briefings. | presentation extracts (5 minutes approx.) your ability to assess a recorded presentation or interview on a range of accessible healthcare topics. When the recordings plays, you will hear two long extracts. You need to answer six multiple choice. questions for each extracts. |
2. Reading Section:-
This section lasts for 60 minutes, contains 42 questions and is divided into 3 parts.
| Part A :- | Part B :- | Part C :- |
| here you need to read four short texts labelled A,B,C,D to locate specific information forms the texts. They consists of general healthcare topics. Some of the types of questions asked here match the following, sentence completion and short answer questions. | In the second part, you have to identify information and match them to the questions in six short extracts. The topics covered here are generic healthcare topics. The questions are mainly multiple choice questions. These extracts cover policy guidelines, hospital guides, manuals, emails, memos to international communication. | This part requires careful reading. Here you have to identify the information, understand its detailed meaning and answer the. |
3. Writing section:-
You will be given 45 minutes to answer the section.
- The first 5 minutes are to be spent in analyzing the task. The next 45 minutes are to
be spent in writing the letter. - This could either be a transfer, referral or discharge letter in the candidates field of specialty.
- Based on the case note the candidate must include relevant details in a proper structure.
- This task is different for different professions.
4. Speaking section:-
This section requires the candidate to enact a real life health professional and patient scenario.
- This task too like writing is different for different professionals.
- It starts with the pre- test introduction where personal questions are asked.
- Following this, the candidate is given two roleplay cards one after the other.
- You will be given two to three minutes of preparation time.
- The examiner or interlocutor plays the role of the patient.
- The roleplays consist of various scenarios and the background information is given in detail on the card.
- This tests your communication skills.
