OET WRITING SUBTEST

 45 MINUTES TOTAL. 5 MINUTES TO READ THE TASK AND 40 MINUTES TO WRITE A

LETTER BETWEEN 180-200 WORDS.
 AS PART OF THE QUESTION YOU WILL RECEIVE CASE NOTES.
 THE TASK: THE MOST IMPORTANT PART AND THE FIRST THING YOU SHOULD READ,
FOUND AT THE END OF TASK. YOUR JOB IS TO TURN RELEVANT CASE NOTES INTO A
WELL WRITTEN LETTER BASED ON THE TASK.
 WHATS INCLUDED IN THE TASK:

1. WHO ARE TO WRITE TO?

2. WHAT KIND OF LETTER TO WRITE: REFERAL, DISCHARGE, TRANSFER & INFORMATION?
3. REFERAL LETTERS: THE MOST COMMON, REFER A PATIENT TO A MEDICAL SPECIALED
AND TO INCLUDE ALL RELEVANT INFO.
4. DISCHARGE LETTERS: SENDING THE PATIENT TO WHERE THEY ARE COMING FROM,
LIKE AN ELDER PATIENT BACK TO A NURSING HOME.
5. TRANSFER LETTERS: WRITE TO ANOTHER MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, TO PREPARE TO
RECEIVE THE PATIENT.
6. INFORMATION LETTERS: INFORMING SOMEONE ABOUT A PARTICULAR MEDICAL
SITUATION.

STEPS IN THE WRITING TASK:

1 INTRODUCTION

2 READ THE TASK

3 INTERPRETING CASE NOTES CORRECTLY

4 SELECTING RELEVANT CASE NOTES

5 ORGANISING CASE NOTES LOGICALLY AND COHERENTLY

6 TRANSFORMING CASE NOTES ACCURATELY

7 PROPER LETTER FORMAT

THE CORRECT METHOD: {RISTO}

1. READ THE TASK CAREFULLY – IDENTIFY WHAT KIND OF LETTER TO BE WRITTEN.

2. INTERPRET CASE NOTES CORRECTLY.
3. SELECT RELEVANT CASE NOTES: do not include everything  too many words  less clarity.
4. TRANSFORM CASE NOTES ACCURATELY.
5. ORGANISE YOUR WRITING LOGICALLY.
TASK EXAMPLE:

Using the information in the case notes, write a letter to Ms Samantha Bruin, Senior Nurse at Greywalls Nursing Home,
27 Station Road, Greywalls, who will be responsible for Mr Baker’s continued care at the Nursing Home.

The TASK will provide you with: {N.P.A.T.K = NAME, POSITION, ADDRESS, TYPE OF LETTER, KNOW EACH OTHER}

• The recipient’s name

• The recipient’s position/profession

• The recipient’s place of work and address

• A reference to what type of letter you must write: referral, discharge, transfer or information

 If the recipient knows the patient or not

THE NOTES WILL BE WRITTEN IN SHORT UNGRAMMATICAL PHRASES, USING ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS, WITH
DIFFERENT SUB-HEADINGS {IMPORTANT TO DISTINGUISH}.

YOU SHOULD NOT INCLUDE ALL CASE NOTES, JUST SELECT THE RELEVANT ONE’S, BY PRACTICING YOU WILL
UNDERSTAND WHICH NOTES ARE RELEVANT, SEMI-RELEVANT AND IRRELEVANT.

1. The introductory sentence/paragraph should contain the reason why you are writing the letter (i.e. refer,
discharge, transfer) and the main medical issue. As a rule, important information should be prioritised or
brought to the top of the letter; don’t bury the important information deep in the letter.

2. Paragraphs should contain single ‘themes’. A paragraph should not contain mixed information; it should be clear
what the paragraph is about, not confusing.

3. The internal structure of the paragraph should also flow from beginning to end. So, while your whole letter
should flow from beginning to end so should your paragraphs be structured coherently.

Grammatical accuracy accounts for 20% of your mark; however, if your grammar is incomprehensible then it will affect
much more than 20% of your overall grade. Consider the difference in meaning from these three verb tenses:

• Mr Baker experiences migraines. (regularly)

• Mr Baker experienced migraines. (in the past)
• Mr Baker is experiencing migraines. (currently)
You need to transform case notes into grammatically accurate sentences so that the meaning is clear to the reader and
reflects the intended meaning of the case note.

You should also make sure that you include a range of different sentence types – some short, some complex, some
active, some passive; but remember that the aim is to not include various sentence types but to communicate
information as clearly as you possibly can that will require you to use varied sentence types and grammar.

After you have finished your letter, give it a once over for any silly grammar mistakes. Many candidates make mistakes
with:

• Singular and plural nouns (pimple vs pimples)

• Countable and uncountable nouns (blood vs bloods)

• Articles (a headache vs the headache)

• Verbs (suffers from vs is suffering from vs has suffered from etc.)

• Prepositions (please monitor for anaemia / he is on medication)

THE PROPER LETTER FORMAT: R.P.P.A.D.S.R.I.P.P.P.C.S.P = RPPADS – RIPPP – CSP.

1. RECIPIENT TITLE & FULL NAME: Dr Jason Roberts.

2. POSITION: Charge nurse?
3. PLACE OF WORK: Newton Hospital.
4. ADDRESS OF WORK: 111 GATEWAY TO HEAVEN ROAD, ROCK CITY.
5. DATE: DD/MM/YYYY: 20/11/2020.
6. SALUTATION: DEAR MS LAVIGNE.
7. RE. PATIENT NAME, PATIENT AGE: RE. JOHN DOE, AGED 63 YEARS.
8. INTRODUCTION.
9. PARAGRAPH 1.
10. PARAGRAPH 2.
11. PARAGRAPH 3: IF NEEDED.
12. CLOSING PHRASE: IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME.
13. SIGN OFF: YOURS SINCERELY.
14. YOUR PROFESSION: CHARGE NURSE.

In the following page is a UNIVERSAL LETTER FORMAT to follow.

 SUMMARIZED UNIVERSAL LETTER

Dr First Second (title can change to mr or mrs if not a doctor)

Profession (Endocrinologist)
Name Hospital
111 Name Street
City
Space line 1
Space line 2
11 December 2020
Space line 1
Space line 2
Dear Dr Second, (address the letter by second name only)
Space line 1
Re: Mr/Mrs First Second, DOB 20.11.2020 (DOB can be with RE: same line or the line below)
DOB: 20/11/2020
Space line 1
(IMTP) (INTRODUCTION, MAIN MEDICAL COMPLAIN, TYPE OF LETTER, PURPOSE)
Thank you for seeing Mr First Second, a type 2 diabetic who presented two weeks ago with an ulcer. I am referring Mr
Second to your care for further investigations and management. (Your introductory paragraph should not go into too
much detail but should provide enough information so that the reader immediately knows the reason why you are
writing. Specific instructions should be provided later in your letter)
Space line 1
(EMC) (EXPAND MAIN MEDICAL COMPLAIN) (Main medical history, any relevant info) (Do not include too many
irrelevant details or left out some important information)
Space line 1
(SMH) (SECONDARY MEDICAL HISTORY) (Any SMH, Past M/S history, Past Investigation & Management)
Space line 1
(MIM) (MANAGEMENT, INVESTIGATIONS, MEDICATIONS) (Current or Future Management, I/M I or Referred to to Give)
Space line 1
(CPR) (CONCLUSION, PURPOSE, REQUIREMENTS)
I would be grateful if you could provide Mr Second with a definitive diagnosis (why I referred the pt). if you require any
further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. (Please contact us with any queries.)
Space line 1
Yours sincerely,
Space line 1
Space line 2
Space line 3
Doctor
  After full stop or new sentence use cap, do not use caps after comma. No caps for drugs and diseases.
 Double check grammar and spelling correctness.
 Do not start sentences with Patient.
 Do not include irrelevant notes - Summarize the relevant information efficiently and effectively.
 Each of your paragraphs should contain a 'theme' or be about a single issue. The reader should know
what each paragraph is about and its purpose.
 You do not need to 'show off' by using a range of sentence structures. Instead, you need to use the right
sentence structure at the right time to make your meaning as clear as possible.
 make sure that the information in your letter is clear and concise. It cannot be convoluted or 'inefficient'.
 You do not need to 'show off' by using a range of sentence structures. Instead, you need to use the right
sentence structure at the right time to make your meaning as clear as possible.
 Please work on your spelling - Please work on your punctuation.
 Referring spelling with a double r.
 Has + singular.
 First name’s letter always caps.
 Use articles right: A, An, The.
 Check punctuations.
 First paragraph should always mention: type of letter, what you want the recipient to do (perform
checkup or give second opinion), IMTP.
 Summarize 180-200 words, include relevant info and to a lesser extent, exclude irrelevant info.
 In order to be concise, you need to summarise the relevant info efficiently and effectively.
 Use words that are immediately clear, no fancy words. Be precise in your word choice.
 You do not need fancy or variety of grammar, clarity is key.
 Do not show off by using a range of sentence structures.
 Work on your spelling and punctuation.

FULL UNIVERSAL LETTER

Dr First Second (title can change to mr or mrs if not a doctor)

Profession (Endocrinologist)
Name Hospital
111 Name Street
City
Space line 1
Space line 2
11 December 2020
Space line 1
Space line 2
Dear Dr Second, (address the letter by second name only)
Space line 1
Re: Mr/Mrs First Second, DOB 20.11.2020 (DOB can be with RE: same line or the line below)
DOB: 20/11/2020
Space line 1
IMTP (INTRODUCTION, MAIN COMPLAIN, TYPE OF LETTER, PURPOSE) paragraph: Thank you for seeing Mr First Second,
(a xxx who requires xxx) a type 2 diabetic or who presented today with a two weeks history of gastro-oesophageal reflux
with possible stricture (major complain) (comma if short, full stop if long). I am referring Mr Second to you for (reason
for referral) further investigation and an endoscopy if required. OR I am writing to refer Ms. Doe into your care who
is/requires physiotherapy for her broken leg. (Your introductory paragraph should not go into too much detail but
should provide enough information so that the reader immediately knows the reason why you are writing. Specific
instructions should be provided later in your letter)
Space line 1
Paragraph 1 (EXPANDED PURPOSE & MMI PARAGRAPH): main presenting symptoms and/or main history, what the
patient has been doing to treat himself, relevant notes about weight (mention BMI) and relevant investigations. (Do not
include too many irrelevant details or left out some important information)
Space line 1
Paragraph 2: secondary relevant symptoms or things the patient did to treat or cope with disease like medications,
relevant history notes (plus family history), social history (smoking, drinking), any allergies, any drugs or investigation I
ordered.
Space line 1
Paragraph 3 (if needed): any important investigation result, any recommendations I made to the patient, any
prescriptions I gave the patient, how many mg and times daily.
Space line 1
Closing (DC/MP) paragraph: I would be grateful if you could provide Mr Second with a definitive diagnosis (why I
referred the pt). if you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. (Please contact us with any
queries.)
Space line 1
Yours sincerely,
Space line 1
Space line 2
Space line 3
Doctor

NOTES:

 After full stop or new sentence use cap, do not use caps after comma. No caps for drugs and diseases.
 Double check grammar and spelling correctness.
 Do not start sentences with Patient.
 Do not include irrelevant notes.
 Summarize the relevant information efficiently and effectively.
 Each of your paragraphs should contain a 'theme' or be about a single issue. The reader should know what each
paragraph is about and its purpose.
 You do not need to 'show off' by using a range of sentence structures. Instead, you need to use the right sentence
structure at the right time to make your meaning as clear as possible.
 make sure that the information in your letter is clear and concise. It cannot be convoluted or 'inefficient'.
 You do not need to 'show off' by using a range of sentence structures. Instead, you need to use the right sentence
structure at the right time to make your meaning as clear as possible.
 Please work on your spelling.
 Please work on your punctuation.
OET WRITING CRITERIA: B 350-440 7-7.5 you need 2/3 for purpose and 5/7 in all other criteria.

1. Purpose. 0-3
2. Content. 0-7
3. Conciseness and clarity. 0-7
4. Genre & style. 0-7
5. Organization & layout. 0-7
6. Language. 0-7

Purpose:

1. The purpose of your letter is immediately apparent on the first paragraph.

2. The purpose of your letter is sufficiently expanded, expand the purpose issue on the second paragraph.

Content:

1. The content of your letter is appropriate for the reader. Keep relevant case notes to the recipient.
2. Case notes selection: Key information is included and no important details missing.
3. The case notes are interpreted correctly.

Conciseness & clarity:

1. The length of the letter is appropriate 180 - 200 words.

2. Better to include irrelevant notes than to omit relevant notes.
3. You summarized info effectively.
4. You clearly presented information.

Genre & Style:

1. Writing is clinical and factual, no personal opinion or judgment.

2. Your writing is appropriate to reader discipline and knowledge, formality and tone, don’t tell them do
something, used a suggestion or request it. (The patient needs an MRI vs …….)
3. Use technical term, abbreviations and polite language appropriately. Use abbs as less as possible.

Organization and layout:

1. Use the main template.

2. Key info should be highlighted, brought to the top of the letter, from most important on the top to less
important down

Language:

1. Clear overall language: precise vocabulary, accurate grammar and sentence structures.
2. Accurate spelling and punctuation.
3. Don’t be fancy, be simple, clear and apparent meaning.
Dr Dev Desai
Gastroenterologist
City Hospital
Easton

20 November 2020

Dear Dr Desai,

Re: Mr Adam Knowles

DOB: 22/08/1951

Thank you for seeing Mr Adam Knowles for assessment and endoscopy if required. He presented with symptoms of
Gastro-esophageal reflux, back pain and 2 kg weight loss in four weeks.

Mr Knowles is also complaining of diarrhea, pale stool, abdominal pain on eating and fatigue. His abdomen is tender and
swollen on palpation and is having yellow discoloration of skin and eyes.

Mr Knowles is physically active, non-smoker for the past 10 years and a social drinker. He had cholecystectomy in 2008
due to gallstones and a 4 years history of depression which is being treated with fluoxetine.

The results of investigations done yielded high serum levels for Bilirubin, Amylase, ALT, Albumin, and Alkaline
phosphatase. I prescribed Omeprazole PPI 20 mg twice daily for 8 weeks that did not improve his heartburn nor
indigestion.

I would be grateful if you could see Mr Knowles at your earliest convenience for an endoscopy and assessment as I am concerned
about the possibility of pancreatic cancer. I have discussed this possibility with Mr Knowles.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Mohamed Khair
GRAMMARLY CORRECTED LETTER
Dr. Ian Robson
Allergist
Central Hospital
Oldtown

20 November 2020

Dear Dr. Robson,

Re: Mr. Tom Riddle

DOB: 19/05/1998

I am writing to refer Mr. Riddle into your care who requires allergenic testing and guidance on environmental
management due to his asthma.

Mr. Riddle, a nonsmoker with childhood asthma, positive family history, periodic eczema, and no known allergies,
presented on 01/06/2019 complaining of breathlessness for 2 weeks, persistent coughing, whizzing, and itching eyes
which made him miss university classes. He had a clear chest x-ray and his FEV1 improved after bronchodilation.

At that visit, Mr. Riddle had new accommodation with two cats and was sleeping on a dusty old carpet. Moreover, he
had a recent break-up with his partner, and university exams pending in July. He was diagnosed with moderate
persistent bronchial asthma and was prescribed oral prednisone 50 mg for 10 days, albuterol inhaler twice a day, and
Symbicort. He was advised allergen management and to return after 4 weeks.

Upon his return, he had sleep disruptions, eczema flare-up, and was using albuterol 6 times daily. He was feverish with
very high blood pressure, heart, and respiratory rate. His oxygen saturation was 88%, had abnormal blood gases, and
bilaterally diminished lung sounds and expiratory wheezes. Administered oxygen attained 93% o2 sat and hourly
albuterol with IV corticosteroid resulted in a positive response.

I would be grateful if you could provide Mr. Riddle with education regarding environmental triggers, proper inhaler
technique, and allergenic testing with guidance on environmental management. Please contact me if you require any
more information.

Doctor
Sample Answer

14/06/2019

Dr Ian Robson

Allergist

Central Hospital

Oldtown

Dear Dr Robson,

Re: Mr Tom Riddle, DOB 19/05/1998

I am writing to refer Mr Riddle into your care, who has moderate persistent bronchial asthma. He requires
further testing and identification of his allergies.

On 01/06/2019, Mr Riddle presented with a two-week history of breathlessness associated with coughing, eye
itching and wheezing that resulted in his absence from university. He had an assessment for his lung function
that showed a pre-bronchodilator FEV1: 3.61 and a post-bronchodilator FEV1: 4.35. He was prescribed a short
course of prednisone and inhalers and a return visit was arranged for 4 weeks.

On 14/06/2019, Mr Riddle presented again with an acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma that was treated with
oxygen, hourly albuterol and IV corticosteroids. He was educated about possible environmental triggers and
proper inhaler technique.

Please note, his past medical history is significant for childhood asthma which has been controlled for the last 8
years. He has occasional bouts of eczema, but no known allergies. He has recently moved into new
accommodation, which he shares with two cats and where he sleeps on the old dusty carpet.

I would appreciate it if you could assist with Mr Riddle’s allergenic testing and provide guidance on
environmental management.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely,

Doctor
OET SPEAKING FEEDBACK: (IO – IG [A-LE-F] – IG [GI-P-FU-R-P] – FF – S – C)

1. INTRODUCTION + OUTLINE: A. INTRODUCTION: A NEW PATIENT: HELLO AND GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS
DR. KHAIR. I WILL BE TAKING GOOD CARE OF YOU TODAY. CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME YOUR NAME? AN OLD
PATIENT: HELLO AND GOOD MORNING, I HOPE YOU REMEMBER ME MR/MRS (X: LAST NAME). I AM DOCTOR
KHAIR AND I WILL BE TAKING GOOD CARE OF YOU TODAY.

2. INFORMATION GATHERING: (ASK – LISTEN WITH ENCOURAGEMENT – GIVE FEEDBACK): ONLY ASK ONE
QUESTION AT A TIME (Mr. Peter, can you please tell me about what brings you in today?)  GIVE TIME FOR PT
TO TALK AND LISTEN ATTENTIVELY - PROVIDE FEEDBACK AS PATIENT TALK (hm, aha, yes, and..)  GIVE
FEEDBACK (I do understand what you are going through, I can understand this may be difficult for you, I’m sure
you won’t have any more problems, rest assured this is quite common, Mr. x there is nothing to be too worried
about.)  THEN MOVE TO ASK THE NEXT QUESTION  LISTEN WITH ENCOURAGEMENT  PROVIDE
FEEDBACK.

3. INFORMATION GIVING: (GIVE INFO – PAUSE – GET FEEDBACK/UNDERSTANDING – REACT TO PT’S FEEDBACK -
PROCEED): A.1. GIVE INFO WITH INTRO: (NOW/NEXT, I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS WITH YOU THE,… ). A.2. GIVE
SUGGESTION: (I KNOW THIS MAY BE DIFFICULT TO DO BUT YOU NEED TO ….). B. PAUSE: (WAIT FOR INFO TO
SINK IN). C. GET FEEDBACK & UNDERSTANDING: (HOW DOES THAT SOUND TO YOU? WHAT DO YOU THINK
ABOUT THAT? HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT MANAGING THAT? ARE YOU FOLLOWING WHAT I’M SAYING? DOES
THAT MAKE SENSE TO YOU?)

4. FINAL FEEDBACK: DO YOU HAVE ANY MORE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS? IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN HELP YOU
WITH FURTHER?

5. SUMMARIZING: (SO JUST TO SUMMARISE, FIRST WE DISCUSSED X, THEN WE TALKED ABOUT X, …)

6. CONCLUSION: (WELL, MR/MRS X, IT HAS BEEN LOVELY CHATTING WITH YOU TODAY. I AM GLAD I COULD BE OF
SERVICE, PLEASE BE SAFE AND HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY.)

1. Complete two role play scenarios.

2. The role play card: very important and has all info.
3. 2 minutes to read the card and prepare, ask questions, take notes (not necessary).
4. You have 5 minutes to each role play.

OET EXPRESS METHODS:

1. Treat the role play like a real workplace scenario, listen and focus on the other person and just have the
conversation.
2. The Role Play Card: Setting – Scenario – Task.
3. The scenario: the opening – A. Whether to introduce yourself vs greet the patient as if you know them. B. ask
some introductory questions.
4. The Task: the body of the speaking, if you have 6 tasks use 45 seconds for each task. (5 minutes) starts with
actions like: Ask – Reassure – Explain – Inform.
 5. The OET Person (The Interlocutor): is not an examiner, just an exam conductor. They will have a role play card.
Corresponding to your card: Complain-Assure – Ask-Explain. The two cards work together, this means if you miss
a task you can come back because the interlocutor will now what you are talking about.
6. Time: Finishing up: if you finish up early: you should summarize, “it’s been lovely chatting to you MS smith, let
me summarize what we talked about, first we talked about … then we discussed …, and so on.
7. It’s not just a speaking task, it’s a test of your ability to listen, emphasize and ask good questions and be a good
medical professional, use it as a real workplace scenario.

OET DETAIL METHOD:

1. 2 role plays – 2-3 minutes to prepare – you get to hold the role play card on your hand – each role play is 5
minutes and medical knowledge is irrelevant.
2. The role play card: A. Setting. B. Scenario. C. Tasks.
3. Setting: important, will denote: Urgency. Background will give you all info about this patient.
4. Tasks: the first words (verbs) are critical.
5. The patient – doctor role playing cards correspond to each other.
6. Using the RPC: Read – Speak – Listen – Respond.
7. ENDING EARLY: SUMMARIZE: IT HAS BEEN LOVELY CHATTING TO YOU MRS SMITH, LET ME SUMMARIZE WHAT
WE HAVE DISCUSSED, FIRST WE TALKED ABOUT X, THEN WE DISCUSSED X, …

Scoring: Language skills and Clinical skills.

Language skills:

1. Effective Communication.
2. Ease of understanding. (Intelligibility)
3. Fluency.
4. Appropriate Language.
5. Grammar and vocabulary.

A. Effective Communication:

1. Initiate the conversation. Hello, My Name is Dr. Stein, how can I help you today? Or Hello Mary, Nice to see you
again. How’s your mother?

2. Maintain the conversation.

3. Listen and respond to the patient.

4. Ask open ended questions.

5. Respond to anything unexpected.

6. Organized the consultation into stages.

7. Make communication as easy as possible.

Intelligibility:

1. Pronunciation is clear.
2. Accent does not affect understanding.
3. Intonation is appropriate in that it matches what you express.
4. You stress the most important words and right part of words.

Fluency:

1. Use a consistent and natural flow of speech.

2. Use fillers as ums and ahhs appropriately.
3. Do not hesitate or pause too much or restart too many sentences.

Appropriateness:

1. Use professional language.

2. Avoid complicated medical words.
3. Use correct tone and language for scenario.
4. Respond to patient’s questions and concerns.

Grammar and expression:

1. Use a wide range of accurate grammar.

2. Use vocabulary precisely and in correct form.
3. Use natural sounding phrases.

Clinical skills:

1. Relationship building. Start conversation – be attentive – nonjudgmental – show empathy.

2. Patient’s perspective.
3. Providing structure.
4. Information Gathering.
5. Information giving.

Notes:

 Start The conversation: Hi Mr. Smith, my name is Dr. Mohamed. Thank you for coming to see me. Now I understand
that you are having some issues with your medications?
 Be attentive: do you mind if I ask about …. Ok thank you for sharing this information.
 Nonjudgmental: I can see why taking those meds can be scary and understand that you don’t want to take your
medication. Now can we find another alternative?
 What do you think might be causing your allergy?
 Reply to the patient’s concerns: so there is certainly something we can do about your dizziness, that shouldn’t be a
problem.
 Structure: sequence the interview – make topic changes clear – organize your explanations.
 Sequence: I would like to talk to you about three ways we can help you, First …
 Topic changes: Now that we have discussed the side effects, I’d like to talk next about …
 Organize explanations/summarize: so just to recap what we have discussed. We talked about x, pause, and its really
important to remember that …
 Minimize interruptions, open questions moving toward closed questions, avoid compound questions, clarify,
summarize.
 Summarize and clarify: after patient talks, say as far as I understand it, you want to refill your meds. Is that right?
 At end: Is there anything else I can help you with.

READING OVERVIEW AND METHOD

OET READING EXAM:

 Is divided into three parts: A – B – C.

 Part A: 15 minutes then Part B & C: 45 minutes.
 The whole reading section takes 60 minutes.
 Part A: read workplace text: quickly – efficiently – accurately.
 There are 15 minutes to read 4 different text on a common topic and answer 20 questions.
 The Texts: informational workplace text with variety of formats. Tables/diagrams/texts/…
 Task types: for every text there are 3-4 different question types.
 The first question type is always a simple matching task – so you can orient yourself across the test.
 The 3 types: Matching questions – short answer questions – sentence completion.
 Read each question type set of instructions carefully.
 The total number of questions for Reading Part A is always 20 Questions.
 Two types of readings: Scan reading (keywords) – Search reading (deeper to find specific answer).
 Type two questions: answer a question with a word or short phrase from text, might include words, numbers or
both correctly spelled.
 Type three questions: complete a sentence with a word or short phrase from text, might include words,
numbers or both correctly spelled.
 Part B: read 6 unrelated text 100-150 words, total 6 questions. For each text you will have MCQ with three
options. Read for gist, main points and detailed meaning. All are medical workplace text. Method: Deep read the
text, you have enough time to read the texts. First read the question and then read answers and find the correct
one by reading the text.
 Part C: combined with part B, have 45 minutes for both parts, manage time wisely. 2 unrelated texts about a
medical topic. The texts are app 800 words each and a total of 16 MCQ. For each text there are 8 questions with
each having 4 MCs. Text are usually parts of research. Methods: deep reading. Read question, scan questions,
scan paragraph, then go back and choose correct answer.

LISTENING OVERVIEW AND METHOD

 LISTENING: Lasts 45 minutes and you answer 42 questions in total. Three parts: A – B – C.
 Part A: two 5 minutes dialogues between a health professional and a patient. You will fill in the gap. Listen,
understand and interpret conversations. Each conversation will have 12 gaps. Note down the missing info to fill
in the gaps. Total of 24 questions. Method: two sets of incomplete notes, 30 seconds to read text, listen & fill in.
the patient always says the answer not the doctor. If you get lost, reorient yourself using completed notes and
move on.
 Part B: 6 short monologues and dialogues lasting 45 seconds each, MCQ with three options. 6 different short
recordings. Identify the correct answer for a MCQs with 3 options. Listen to and identify key info. Each question
is preceded by a prompt recording. Method: read and listen to the context, read the questions, scan answers
quickly if possible, choose the best answer.
 Part C: (Possibly the hardest subtest of all exam) Two 5 minutes recordings, 6 MCQ with 3 choices for each
recording. You hear each recording once only. No pause between questions. 90 seconds reading time (scan read
all questions & answers) recording  6 questions no pauses between  6 MCQ with 3 Cs each  Repeat.
Method: keep question keyword (focus) on mind while listening  eliminate incorrect answers  confirm
correct answer  move on to next question.