1. Introduction to OET

• Objective: Understand test structure, scoring, and the healthcare-specific focus.
• Test Format:
  • Listening: 42 minutes (3 parts)
  • Reading: 60 minutes (3 parts)
  • Writing: 45 minutes (profession-specific task)
  • Speaking: 20 minutes (role-play scenarios)
• Scoring:
  • Graded from A (highest) to E (lowest).
  • Focus on clarity, coherence, and relevance to healthcare contexts.
• Preparation Plan:
  • Daily practice in all four modules.
  • Build healthcare-specific vocabulary and improve communication skills.

2. Listening Module (42 minutes)

• Objective: Test ability to understand spoken English in a healthcare context.
• Structure:
  • Part A: Consultation Extracts (2 consultations; note-taking task).
  • Part B: Short Workplace Extracts (6 recordings; multiple-choice questions).
  • Part C: Presentation Extracts (2 recordings; multiple-choice questions).
• Strategies:
  • Focus on understanding context and specific details.
  • Practice active listening with medical podcasts and recorded consultations.
• Sample Activities:
  • Part A: Fill in consultation notes. Example: A patient describes symptoms. Identify key details like onset, frequency, and severity.
  • Part B: Listen to short conversations about hospital protocols and answer questions.
  • Part C: Summarize main ideas and supporting details from a medical presentation.

3. Reading Module (60 minutes)

• Objective: Evaluate reading comprehension of healthcare-related texts.
• Structure:
  • Part A: Expedited Reading (skim and scan 4 short texts; answer 20 questions).
  • Part B: Workplace Texts (6 short texts; multiple-choice questions).
  • Part C: Detailed Reading (2 long texts; multiple-choice questions).
• Strategies:
  • Develop skimming and scanning techniques for quick information retrieval.
  • Practice reading journal articles, clinical guidelines, and medical case studies.
• Sample Activities:
  • Part A: Locate specific details like medication dosages or procedural steps.
  • Part B: Interpret brief policy memos, emails, or instructions.
  • Part C: Analyze a detailed medical research article and infer meanings.

4. Writing Module (45 minutes)

• Objective: Write a profession-specific letter (e.g., referral, discharge, or transfer).
• Structure:
  • 5 minutes to read the case notes.
  • 40 minutes to write the letter.
• Key Elements:
  • Content: Relevance and accuracy of information.
  • Structure: Logical flow with appropriate sections (e.g., introduction, body, conclusion).
  • Language: Formal tone, correct grammar, and healthcare-specific vocabulary.
• Strategies:
  • Practice converting case notes into concise and well-structured letters.
  • Focus on identifying key information while discarding irrelevant details.
• Sample Task:
  • Case Notes: A 45-year-old patient with diabetes requires referral to an endocrinologist.
  • Output: Write a referral letter summarizing the patient’s history, symptoms, and required action.

5. Speaking Module (20 minutes)

• Objective: Test ability to communicate effectively with patients or colleagues.
• Structure:
  • Warm-up conversation with the examiner.
  • 2 role-play scenarios where you take the role of a healthcare professional and the examiner acts as a patient or carer.
• Strategies:
  • Practice active listening and patient-centered communication.
  • Use empathetic language and explain medical terms in simple words.
• Sample Role-Play Scenarios:
  • Explaining medication side effects to a patient.
  • Reassuring a worried patient about a medical procedure.
  • Providing post-surgery care instructions to a carer.

6. General Skills Development

• Vocabulary Building: Focus on healthcare-specific terms: medications, symptoms, procedures, and equipment.
• Grammar and Sentence Structure: Emphasize clarity and conciseness. Avoid long, complex sentences in writing tasks.
• Pronunciation & Fluency: Work on clear speech with correct stress and intonation. Record responses and analyze areas for improvement.

7. Practice Tests and Feedback

• Complete full-length mock tests for each module.
• Analyze results with detailed feedback.
• Focus on time management and accuracy.