The Occupational English Test (OET) is a specialized English language proficiency exam designed specifically for healthcare professionals. Unlike general tests like IELTS or TOEFL, OET assesses your ability to communicate effectively in real-world medical scenarios, making it highly relevant for nurses, doctors, and allied health workers aiming to work in English-speaking countries.
Prepare:
Before you book your OET test, you need to prepare thoroughly.
This involves understanding the format of the exam, practicing your skills and strategies, and improving your language proficiency.
There are two key aspects of OET preparation: knowing the test and improving your English.
You’ll need to work on areas such as grammar, vocabulary, and patient-friendly language to describe medical conditions.
Skimming and scanning skills for reading are also crucial.
Study Materials:
To begin your preparation, start by checking out the OET website.
There you’ll find plenty of resources to help you, including master classes, sample papers, and a preparation portal with links to additional resources.
You can also access free live lessons on the OET Facebook page and watch YouTube videos on OET content, but make sure you stick to official OET and endorsed providers.
When choosing study materials, use OET official materials for practice tests or materials.
You can also use websites containing healthcare articles to improve your skills and language.
However, don’t neglect your general English, and be sure to work on improving your grammar and vocabulary.
Plan your study time carefully and use it effectively.
Create a study plan or schedule, work on your skills, and find a study buddy to keep you motivated.
Take time to prepare
First and foremost, planning and organising your time is crucial.
Create a study schedule or plan to ensure that you’re using your time most effectively.
Remember that a study session doesn’t have to be two hours of studying grammar or doing practice papers. Even a 10–15-minute session can be beneficial if you use that time effectively.
Do’s and Don’ts
When it comes to studying, here are some do’s and don’ts.
Don’t try to do everything at the same time. Instead, do focus on organizing and planning your time.
Create a study plan or schedule so you know what you’re going to do and what resources you’re going to use.
Don’t only focus on practice papers, but also work on improving your skills and general English.
Do focus on improving your grammar and vocabulary, make notes, and review regularly.
And don’t study alone – find a study buddy or an online study group.
To help you make the most of your study time, here are some 10 to 15-minute study activities that you can try:
Read an OET sample letter and make a note of all the time referencing phrases.
Read an article on a healthcare topic and summarize the main point in 2-3 sentences. Then find 5-10 new words to look up the meaning of.
Write 10 sentences using past simple passive to describe hospital treatment using a variety of verbs.
Review a Reading C text and underline all words and phrases that express attitude and opinion.
Look at an OET transcript and make a note of patient-friendly language/idiomatic expressions used in Listening A.
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Use the right resources
Finally, here are some useful websites to help you improve your skills:
For healthcare articles to improve reading and vocabulary.
For healthcare news.
For healthcare news.
For patient-friendly vocabulary and language.
For practicing listening to long audios.
For practicing listening to long audios.
Stories are the threads that bind us; through them, we understand each other, grow, and heal.
JOHN NOORD
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