Guide for Healthcare Professionals to Achieve Success in English-Speaking Countries
The Occupational English Test (OET) is crucial for healthcare professionals to work and register in English speaking countries. OET is specially designed to assess the proficiency of these healthcare professionals in listening, reading, writing and speaking. The speaking and writing tests are tailored differently for specific healthcare professionals, unlike reading and listening which is the same for everyone. All 12 OET tests are customized particularly for specific medical fields.
Understanding the OET grading system is important while preparing for the test. OET is graded on a scale of 0-500 in ten-point increments, since September 2018. All four modules, also called subtests, are graded separately to simplify the process of calculating and interpreting your grades. An OET score of 350 or higher indicates a high level of proficiency, which is often required by healthcare employers and regulatory bodies. The grading system ensures that your language skills are accurately reflected, helping you to meet the necessary standards for your profession.
Mastering the OET will open doors to new opportunities in the global healthcare sector. Whether you’re a doctor, nurse, dentist, or any other healthcare professional, achieving a high score on the OET can significantly enhance your career prospects.
Guide to OET score components
This is a breakdown of the 3 hour OET exam structure with the score components for each subtest.
OET Listening Subtest: Structure and Scoring
The Listening subtest lasts for 40 minutes and is divided into three parts. Candidates must demonstrate their ability to comprehend various spoken materials, including lectures and patient consultations. The test consists of a total of 42 marks, divided as follows:
- Part A: 24 marks
- Part B: 6 marks
- Part C: 12 marks
Scoring Criteria
To achieve a B grade (350 out of 500), candidates need to score at least 30 marks in total. This grade reflects a proficient level of understanding that is essential for healthcare professionals.
OET Reading Subtest: Structure and Scoring
The Reading subtest is 60 minutes and is divided into three parts. This section tests the candidate’s ability to understand a variety of written materials related to healthcare.
- Part A: 20 marks
- Part B: 6 marks
- Part C: 16 marks
Scoring Criteria
Similar to the Listening subtest, a total of 30 marks is required to score a B grade (350 out of 500). This grade shows that the candidate can comprehend written texts essential for effective communication in a healthcare environment.
OET Writing Subtest: Structure and Scoring
The Writing subtest is a 45-minute exam that requires candidates to write a clear and accurate letter based on their specific healthcare profession. The scoring criteria for this section include six components:
- Purpose: 2 out of 3
- Other Criteria: 5 out of 7 for each
Scoring Criteria
To secure a B grade in this subtest, candidates must meet the above requirements. This shows their ability to convey important healthcare information in writing, a crucial skill in medical settings.
OET Speaking Subtest: Structure and Scoring
The Speaking subtest, lasting 20 minutes, consists of two parts. This section assesses the candidate’s ability to communicate effectively in role-play scenarios that simulate real-life healthcare scenarios. The scoring criteria are divided into two groups:
- Linguistics: 6 criteria
- Clinical Communication: 3 criteria
Scoring Criteria
To achieve a B grade, candidates must score 5 out of 6 on each linguistic criterion and 2 out of 3 on each clinical communication criterion. This ensures that they can effectively engage with patients and colleagues in English.
Understanding the Test Formats
The Occupational English Test (OET) is a comprehensive assessment designed to evaluate the English language proficiency of healthcare professionals. Here’s a detailed breakdown of each test format:
Listening Test Format
In Part A, you will listen to two audio recordings, each lasting 4-5 minutes. These recordings involve healthcare related conversations. Your task is to answer 12 questions for each recording using a word or short phrase that you hear. This section is to enhance your ability to extract specific information, and accurate answers will positively impact your OET listening score.
Part B involves listening to six short audio recordings, each about 45 seconds long. After listening to each recording, you will need to answer one multiple choice question with three options. This part tests your ability to understand and interpret short healthcare-related exchanges.
In Part C, you will listen to two longer audio recordings, lasting 4-5 minutes each. After listening, you will answer six multiple choice questions for each recording, choosing from three options. This section assesses your ability to understand complex information and follow long discussions.
Reading Test Format
Part A consists of three types of questions designed to assess your ability to process and apply information –
- Matching Questions: You will need to find the correct text to answer each question.
- Short Answer Questions: You must provide a word, phrase, or number from the text to answer these questions.
- Sentence Completion Questions: You will complete sentences by locating the correct part of the text.
In Part B, you will read six short extracts, each between 100-140 words long. You will need to answer one multiple-choice question with three options. This part enhances your ability to understand the main points and details.
Part C presents you with two long extracts, each around 800 words. You need to answer eight multiple choice questions from four options. This section assesses your ability to comprehend written information.
Writing Test Format
The Writing subtest requires you to write a formal letter related to your healthcare profession. You need to use case notes provided during the test to write a professional letter. Your letter will be evaluated based on six criteria:
- Purpose
- Content
- Genre and Style
- Conciseness and Clarity
- Organization and Layout
- Language
Speaking Test Format
The Speaking subtest involves two role-play interactions related to your profession. Each role-play lasts 5 minutes, during which you will communicate in a simulated professional setting. The evaluation will be based on Linguistic and clinical communication criteria. Effective performance in both areas is crucial for achieving a high score in the Speaking subtest.
How to Accurately Calculate Your OET Score?
Calculating your Occupational English Test (OET) score is essential for assessing your proficiency in working in healthcare environments in English-speaking countries. Achieving a score of 350 out of 500 (equal to a B grade) in each subtest is crucial, as this level of proficiency is highly regarded in various healthcare systems globally. Understanding how the OET grading system works and being familiar with the OET score chart will help you effectively evaluate your performance and identify areas for improvement.
OET Grading System and IELTS Equivalent
The OET grading system is structured to assess your level of English proficiency, aligning with equivalent IELTS band scores. An “A” grade, ranging from 450 to 500 points, equals to an IELTS band of 8.0 to 9.0. Candidates with this score can communicate fluently and accurately, with a strong grasp of intonation and modulation, and easily understand both written and spoken documents.
A “B” grade, scoring between 350 and 440 points, equates to an IELTS band of 7.0 to 7.5. These candidates communicate effectively, with occasional inaccuracies or hesitations that do not restrict communication, particularly in clinical contexts.
A “C+” grade, with scores between 300 and 340, corresponds to an IELTS band of 6.5, indicating adequate communication skills but with occasional errors.
A “C” grade, scoring between 200 and 290, aligns with an IELTS band of 5.5 to 6.0, showing that candidates understand standard English but may require clarification with more complex language.
A “D” grade, with scores from 100 to 190, corresponds to an IELTS band of 4.0 to 5.0, indicating that candidates can understand straightforward factual information but struggle with more complex interactions, often making frequent errors in technical language.
An “E” grade, scoring between 0 and 90 points, aligns with an IELTS band of 0.0 to 4.0. Candidates at this level understand basic and familiar phrases but face significant challenges in communication due to frequent errors and misuse of language, which severely affect their ability to communicate effectively.
Your OET Score Matters
Achieving a high OET score shows your ability to provide high-quality healthcare services through effective communication. A strong OET score reflects your proficiency in English and your ability to interact with patients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals in English-speaking environments. This proficiency will impact your career opportunities, opening doors to healthcare roles in the best hospitals around the world.
Understanding OET Marking Criteria
To excel in the OET, it is essential to understand the marking criteria for each of the four subtests: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
Listening and Reading
- You should be able to understand the main ideas, specific information, and details presented in audio recordings or texts.
- Your ability to identify and extract specific information, such as patient details or medical conditions.
- The examiners evaluate your ability to make inferences and draw logical conclusions from the material.
- Recognizing the speaker’s tone, attitude, and opinions is also part of the evaluation process.
Writing
- Your writing is evaluated on the basis of relevance and completeness of tasks, providing all necessary information.
- Your content should be well-organized with a logical flow of ideas and clarity.
- Proper grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure are essential for clear written communication.
- The language you use must be suitable for the targeted audience in a healthcare setting.
Speaking
- Clear pronunciation, proper pace and fluency are crucial for effective communication.
- Ability to be easily understood by healthcare professionals and patients is evaluated.
- The use of appropriate language in healthcare contexts and your ability to respond effectively during roleplays.
- You will be assessed on your ability to give advice, hold conversations, and ask for clarification when needed.
Tips for Improving Your OET Scores
Improving your OET score requires dedication, practice, and access to the right resources. Practice with sample tests available on the OET website. These tests will familiarize you with the exam format and help you identify areas that need improvement. These resources offer valuable insights and strategies for scoring high marks. Regularly practice your reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills with sample tests. This will improve your language proficiency and boost your confidence on test day. Proficiency in English should be reflected naturally in your communication.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in OET Tests
Achieving a high score on the OET requires avoiding common mistakes that can hinder your performance:
Don’t randomly insert high-band score words into your responses. Ensure that your language is appropriate for the context. Avoid relying solely on tips and tricks to score better. Focus on genuinely improving your language skills. If you don’t achieve your desired score, take a break and work on enhancing your English proficiency before retaking the test. You don’t need to adopt a specific accent. Always be focused on clear and accurate communication. In the writing subtest, aim for a word count of 180-200 words. Writing too little or too much can negatively impact your score.
Securing high marks in OET is essential for healthcare professionals seeking to work in English-speaking countries. To achieve this, you must focus on improving your English proficiency. Choosing the best training will help you achieve good scores. Tiju’s Academy is the best OET coaching centre in Kerala for healthcare professionals seeking to work abroad. We offer both online and offline courses. Our online OET course allows you to study without disrupting your current job or lifestyle. Our online class is as good as our offline classes. Personalized attention, and basic and OET grammar classes help you have a strong foundation in English and help you master OET with high scores.
