Getting to Know the OET

What does the 'O' in OET mean?

• obsessional

• occasional

• occupational

• operational

Answer explanation

This - hopefully - easy question is to get used to the Quizizz format. The questions are based on the Official Guide to OET and the accompanying pre-course worksheet, along with some of the language issues involved when taking the test.

What is generally regarded as a pass mark in OET?

• 250

• 350

• 450

• 550

Answer explanation

Australia and New Zealand require a score of 350 (Grade B, IELTS 7.0 equivalent) in all four sub-tests, while the minimum accepted in Ireland and the UK (e.g.: by the British Nursing and Midwifery Council) is 350 on the Speaking, Listening and Reading sub-tests and 300 (C+, 6.5 IELTS) for Writing. Other countries when they require a qualification in English, such as Ukraine, accept scores of 300.

On Test Day, which IDENTICAL sub-tests would be taken by BOTH nurses AND doctors?

• Reading and Listening

• Reading and Writing

• Listening and Speaking

• Writing and Speaking

Answer explanation

The OET addresses twelve healthcare specialisations, each with their own Speaking and Writing tests. However, all specialists take the same Listening and Reading tests, which are general and understandable to all branches of medicine.

In the LISTENING Test, in which Part will you need to note changes in register from informal to formal language?

• Part A

• Part B

• Part C

• All Parts (A, B and C)

Answer explanation

When listening to Part A, though some of the words spoken will be the same as on the case notes (subheadings being particularly useful), those written by the healthcare professional is often different in register, and is more formal than the patient's vernacular and modes of expression (though the test will ask you to fill in the patient's exact words in the answers). Changes can be in the use of more formal synonyms, such as 'exacerbated' for 'made things worse'. You must be aware of these differences if you are to follow the dialogue.

What is the focus of this Part B LISTENING Test question:

'What are the nurses talking about?'

• Agreement

• Detail

• Function

• Gist

Answer explanation

There are seven question types in Part B of LISTENING: Gist, Detail, Speaker purpose, function, Opinion, Agreement and Future action. Gist is asking for the overall idea of a recording and 'What are the nurses talking about?' is one of the examples in the Guide.

In which part of the READING Test would you find this question:

'What does the word This in the second paragraph refer to?'

• Part A

• Part B

• Part C

• Any Part (A, B or C)

Answer explanation

Part C has three types of questions: (1) Detail, Attitude and Opinion; (2) Reference and (3) Vocabulary. The first type are most common, with just one or two of the others per text. Vocabulary questions ask what preceding idea (normally a noun or noun phrase) is referred to by the highlighted word (very often a determiner, such as 'that' and 'this' or a pronoun, like 'them'). Using such linking words produces more cohesive, succinct writing and it's likely you will use them in both your professional writing in English and in your Writing test.

What is the recommended average amount of time to answer a Part B question in the READING Test?

• 1 minute

• 1-2 minutes

• 2 minutes

• 2-3 minutes

Answer explanation

The Guide recommends 1 minute 30 seconds, though states this will vary from question to question. All in all, ten minutes are to be used for Part B, 35 minutes for Part C and 15 minutes for Part A.

In the WRITING Test, which is the most accepted way of ending a letter starting 'Dear Sir or Madam'?

• Cheers!

• Best Regards

• Yours Faithfully

• Yours Sincerely

Answer explanation

'Cheers!' is far too informal for an OET letter; 'Best Regards' is often used in emails between colleagues but is not advisable for OET; 'Your Sincerely' is used when the name of the addressee is known (and is most likely in the OET test); 'Yours Faithfully' when the name of the addressee is not known or referred to (this is true for the UK but in the USA, 'Yours Truly' is an acceptable alternative).

What do you understand by PRN in these WRITING Test notes:

'currently taking clonidine PRN'?

• named propriety medicine only

• over-the-counter medicine

• doctor-prescribed medicine only

• when the patient needs it

Answer explanation

This is taken from an example in the Guide. PRN is an abbreviation of the Latin pro re nata, meaning 'when required'. Don't worry if you don't understand all of the words in the case notes and can still complete the test successfully, though it's best if you can infer the likely meaning of unknown vocabulary. When preparing for the test, note down any potentially useful words (specialist and general) in your word bank.

Approximately how long will each role play be in the SPEAKING Test?

• 5 minutes

• 10 minutes

• 15 minutes

• 20 minutes

Answer explanation

The Speaking Test will take about 20 minutes and you will complete two role plays in that time, speaking to the interlocutor (who will play the role of a patient or the patient's guardian/parent) for approximately five minutes each time. It is essential you have as much test practice as possible, so you get a feeling for how much time elapses during each stage of the test.