You might be surprised to know that every year, nearly 1,50,000 students appear for the OET exam, but why? Because it comprises easy sub-tests like OET speaking. These sections test the communication skills required of healthcare professionals. Thus, if you are an aspiring student who desires to study medicine abroad, then this guide would be your helping hand that will articulate A to Z about the OET speaking subtest. Therefore, in this blog, we have shared a brief overview of this, the OET speaking format, samples, scoring criteria, and more. So buckle up, and let’s explore this together.
Table of Contents
The OET speaking is a sub-test that assesses a healthcare professional’s skills to communicate with patients effectively from a healthcare perspective through role-playing settings. This sub-test of the OET encompasses two tasks of role-plays.
The role-plays between students who are playing a health professional and an interlocutor who is playing a patient or patient carer. Further, these role-plays will be associated with real-life cases that take place in healthcare management every day. This will be taken in specific healthcare fields from which students belong.
Moreover, the entire sub-test takes about 20 minutes. In the two tasks, first of all, you will have a warm-up conversation with the interlocutor before you begin the role-plays. However, this discussion will not be assessed. After that, you will get two OET speaking cue cards for nurses, doctors, or any field you belong to. You will get 3 minutes for preparing each card and 5 minutes for playing each role.
This is the breakdown of OET Speaking sections in detail which comprises its meaning and tasks. Thus, preparing for this language proficiency test could be an uphill battle, but tons of preparation and determination can help you to pass this with flying colors.
As you read above, there are two tasks in the OET speaking that are performing two role plays. If you are an aspiring test taker, you must be familiar with the OET speaking format and outline of this subtest. Since the speaking subtest aims to evaluate clinical communication skills, understanding this format is highly important. Therefore, in this section, we have shared the format as well as OET speaking samples. First, let’s see the table, and then we will proceed to the detailed explanation.
| Stage | Duration | Purpose | Content | Graded/Ungraded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warm-up Conversation | 2-3 minutes | Relax the candidates (students andinterlocutor) | Questions on study or profession | Ungraded |
| 1st Roleplay Preparation | 3 minutes | · Familiarization with the topic· Planning and preparing your communication | Profession-specific roleplay cards | Ungraded |
| 1st Roleplay Performance | 5 minutes | Assessment of clinical skills with first scenario | Explaining, guiding, or supporting the patient according to the first scenario. | Graded |
| 2nd Roleplay Preparation | 3 minutes | · Familiarization with the second topic· Planning and preparing your communication | Profession-specific roleplay cards | Ungraded |
| 2nd Roleplay Performance | 5 minutes | Assessment of clinical skills with second scenario | Explaining, advising, or reassuring the patient according to the second scenario. | Graded |
Let’s understand this in detail with OET speaking samples. Have a look.
First of all, there would be a warm-up session of 2-3 minutes, which is a conversation between the candidate with the interlocutor. The interlocutor will be your conversation partner for this OET speaking subtest, who can play the role of a family member, guardian, patient, or other healthcare worker.
However, keep this in mind they are not going to assess your performance. This warm-up conversation is created to relax both of them and make you comfortable with each other to play the assigned role. In this, both of them can ask about their work experience, expertise, future plans, and more. Therefore, it will help you to know each other and perform tasks together.
After the warm-up, you will be allotted an OET speaking role play card, including the scenario. The scenario will be parallel to the real-life situation that you can come across in your specific profession.
Once you get the role-play card, you will have 2-3 minutes to prepare. In this, you and your partner have to plan how you are going to perform and clarify any points which is not understood. Also, you are allowed to write important points on the role-play card.
Finally, you will perform the role-play for about 5 minutes. After finishing, you will be given a second role-play card and will again repeat the process you have performed in the first role-play card. Thus, you get two chances to prove your speaking skills can score the desired marks in the OTE exam. So, to assist you with how to answer the role play card, we have shared an OET speaking sample below.
This is the sample of OET speaking for nurses role play card. Have a look at the question and answer.
OET Role Play Card: Nursing
Setting: Hospital Ward
Role: Nurse
Patient: A 65-year-old man recovering from surgery for hip replacement
Task:
This is the OET speaking format and samples that will help you to get family with the pattern. Also, the sample will assist you in comprehending the OET speaking role play card topic and way of answering this question.
In the OET speaking two skills are assessed, linguistic and clinical communication. Your performance is being evaluated by the two OET assessors. This skill helps them to identify how you provide information and help by using proficient English language skills. Thus, according to the OET syllabus in 20 minutes, these two skills are evaluated and to stand out from everyone you have to pass this. Therefore, in the next section, explore these two skills in detail.
In the OET speaking sections, there are many skills assessed in the linguistic criteria that are important to pass to demonstrate your language proficiency. In this examiner assess four factors to examine your English language. This criterion ensures that student can convey all the important medical information effectively to their patients and understand their perspective alongside building a rapport. Here are the four factors-
1. Intelligibility- This examines the ability to speak clearly, pronounce words, use the right tone, sound clearly and more.
2. Fluency- This means speaking smoothly minding the right speed. You should not speak too fast or slow. Thus, here you have to maintain time as well as fluency in communication.
3. Appropriateness of language. - This criterion analyzes the approach of using the right words and tone with your patients and situation.
4. Resources expression and grammar– This means using a wide range of vocabulary and grammar correctly. You must be able to express your thoughts clearly without creating confusion.
The clinical communication criteria in the OET speaking is considered one of the most important skills. It assesses the student’s ability to communicate accurately and effectively in a healthcare scenario. It mainly emphasis on the language skills rather than medical knowledge.
1. Relationship Building – Beginthe conversation in a respectful and friendly way. Listen to the patients and provide information.
2. Understanding and incorporation the patient’s perspective– This includes asking about the patient's well-being and understanding their worries, thoughts, and expectations.
3. Providing structure- This means organizing the conversation between two persons logically. Also, use various approaches to make your conversation organized.
4. Information gathering- This means listening to the patients and gathering all the necessary information about what they are feeling. Asking questions and lastly summarizing this by giving important information.
5. Information giving– This means giving information on their worries and thoughts. It could be on test results, medicine, and more. Moreover, encouraging them to share their feelings or reactions, and checking if they have understood all the information.
The OET speaking is an easy task; scoring well in this section can help you to pass the OET exam halfway. Each sub-test in the OET is assessed on 0 to 500. Later, these scores are converted into letter grades (A-E). Thus, to calculate the OET speaking scores, two marking criteria are used that is, linguistic criteria and clinical communication criteria. Hence, here is the breakdown of the OET scoring system.
| OET Grade | Raw Score (out of 500) | Performance Description |
|---|---|---|
| A | (450-500) | Very high proficiency |
| B | (350-440) | High proficiency |
| C+ | (300-340) | Good proficiency, may require some improvement |
| C | (200-290) | Moderate proficiency |
| D | (100-190) | Low proficiency |
| E | (0-90) | Very limited proficiency |
This is the scores given in OET speaking from a range of 0-500. The passing mark is considered 350 or B grade or maybe higher in all the subtests. However, it may alter according to the field such as in nursing the passing marks are 300+ or C+ grades.
So work on the skills, and identify the weaknesses and strengths to get the desired marks. Moreover, you can use the OET speaking mock test, it will help you to identify the lacking areas and help to make improvements.
To achieve high scores in the OET speaking you have to do lots of practice and put in all the effort and determination. Thus, to help you to accomplish your desired goal in the OET speaking subtest, here are some tips.
1. Practice role-play cards with any of your friends by creating the scenario
2. Use a wide range of vocabulary that is used in healthcare management.
3. Emphasize fluency by avoiding false starts and excessive hesitation.
4. Use positive language to foster a sense of trust and comfort
5. Show understanding and empathy.
6. Use OET samplesto practice.
7. Be confident and clear while providing and gathering the information.
8. Use common medical terms.
9. Familiarize yourself with the OET syllabus.
10. Note down the main keywords.
And, here we come to the end, by understanding all the importance of the OET speaking exam. This is a language proficiency test for students who want to go into the medical field. You will get two OET speaking cue cards for nurses, doctors, or more, according to your profession. These scores are given from the range of 0-500 and later converted to grades (A-E). Thus, to pass with flying colors, practice, dedication, and focus are the major key points. Therefore, if your goal is to achieve high scores, joining OET online classes at Gradding is no less than an opportunity; it will open the doors to success. So join now!
1. How to explain in OET speaking?
Answer: In OET speaking involves concisely conveying information to a patient in a manner that is easy to understand and uplifting. Hence, you have to use positive language, streamlining medical jargon. Moreover, the complex information is away down into manageable chunks. Also, you have to provide empathy and keep in mind the patient’s emotions and expectations.
2. What is the format of the OET speaking exam?
Answer: The format of the OET speaking exam is you will get 20 minutes that pretend to be a real-life workplace scenario in the healthcare environment. It consists of two tasks that are role-play, each lasting 5 minutes. Here, the aspirant (who can be a doctor nurse, etc.) interacts with an interlocutor (fake patient) in a specific healthcare setting. Further, they play the role of a professional (e.g., nurse, doctor), while the interlocutor plays a patient, relative, or career. Before each role-play, candidates receive a role card with details of the scenario and have 3 minutes to prepare.
3. How is OET speaking marked?
Answer: Two main criteria are used to provide the scores in OET speaking that is linguistic criteria and clinical communication criteria. Thus, the linguistic criteria evaluate intelligibility, fluency, resources of grammar, appropriateness of language, and expression. On the other hand, clinical communication criteria empathize with understanding the patient's perspective, relationship building, gathering information, and providing structure. Thus, if you match all of this you can get the full marks. Therefore, passing all the points is necessary.
4. Can I retake the OET speaking test?
Answer: Yes, you can retake the OET speaking test, when you didn’t achieve the desired scores in the exam. Additionally, you can retake all the four sections. Moreover, there is no time limit in giving the retake OET exam, but make sure the pass with flying colours in one go.
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