Top 10 Tips for OET Success

Levi Cheptora

Sat, 07 Jun 2025

The Occupational English Test (OET) is a critical exam for healthcare professionals aiming to work in English-speaking countries. It evaluates your English proficiency in medical contexts, making it essential to prepare strategically to pass. To help you succeed, we’ve compiled the top 10 tips for OET success. These practical strategies will improve your confidence, time management, and performance on exam day.

1. Understand the OET Format

Before diving into preparation, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the OET format. The test is divided into four sections:

• Listening (40 minutes): You will listen to healthcare-related dialogues and answer questions.
• Reading (60 minutes): This section has three parts testing your comprehension of medical texts.
• Writing (45 minutes): You’ll write a referral, transfer, or discharge letter.
• Speaking (20 minutes): Role-play consultations and interactions with patients.

Tip: Knowing the structure and timing of each section will help you manage your time effectively on exam day.

Resource:

• OET Test Format
  Visit OET Official Test Information Page

2. Focus on Healthcare-Specific Vocabulary

OET is unique because it tests your English proficiency within a healthcare context. Understanding medical terms and how they are used in real-world scenarios is crucial.

• Learn Medical Terminology: Make a list of common medical terms, abbreviations, and phrases related to your profession.
• Patient-Friendly Language: Practice simplifying complex medical terms for patients who may not understand medical jargon.

Resource:

• OET Medical Vocabulary List
  Access Medical Vocabulary Resources

3. Practice All Four Skills Regularly

To succeed on the OET, you need to be proficient in all four skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Each section requires a unique approach:

• Listening: Practice listening to healthcare podcasts, radio shows, and videos to enhance your comprehension of medical conversations.
• Reading: Skim and scan medical texts to improve your speed in finding relevant information.
• Writing: Write referral and discharge letters to familiarize yourself with the format.
• Speaking: Role-play common patient interactions with a partner or tutor to practice your communication skills.

Resource:

• OET Practice Materials
  Download Free OET Practice Tests

4. Master Time Management

The OET is a timed test, and managing your time efficiently is essential to completing each section. Here's how to practice effective time management:

• Listening: Don’t overthink each answer. Move on quickly if you're unsure and come back to it if time allows.
• Reading: Spend no more than 15 minutes on Part A, leaving more time for Parts B and C.
• Writing: Allocate 5 minutes to plan your letter and 35 minutes to write it, leaving time for revision.
• Speaking: Practice sticking to the time limit for each role-play.

Tip: Take timed practice tests to simulate exam conditions.

Resource:

• OET Time Management Guide
  Download OET Time Management Guide

5. Improve Your Listening Skills Through Healthcare Content

The Listening section focuses on healthcare scenarios such as consultations and patient discussions. Familiarize yourself with different accents and medical conversations to boost your listening comprehension.

• Podcasts: Listen to healthcare podcasts or webinars that feature doctors, nurses, and patients from various English-speaking countries.
• Recordings: Practice with OET sample audio recordings to get used to different accents and speaking speeds.

Resource:

• OET Listening Practice
  Download OET Listening Practice Tests

6. Perfect Your Writing Structure

The Writing section can be one of the most challenging parts of the OET, as it requires you to produce a clear, well-structured letter within a limited time. Focus on creating logical and concise letters that convey essential patient information.

• Structure Matters: Stick to the required format for referral, discharge, or transfer letters, ensuring that your letter has an introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Relevance: Only include relevant medical details. Avoid unnecessary information to stay concise.

Tip: Practice writing referral letters for different scenarios to gain confidence in structuring your responses.

Resource:

• OET Writing Tips
  Download OET Writing Tips

7. Role-Play for the Speaking Section

The Speaking section requires you to role-play typical medical consultations. Practicing this with a partner or tutor will improve your ability to engage with the patient (examiner) confidently and naturally.

• Scenarios: Prepare for common scenarios such as explaining a diagnosis, discussing treatment options, or offering patient advice.
• Empathy: Use patient-friendly language and demonstrate empathy, which are key components of a good OET speaking performance.

Tip: Record yourself during practice sessions to review your performance and work on areas that need improvement.

Resource:

• Free OET Speaking Practice
  Download OET Speaking Role-Plays

8. Get Feedback on Your Practice Tests

Practicing on your own is useful, but getting feedback from an OET tutor or study group can significantly enhance your preparation. Feedback helps identify mistakes and areas for improvement that you might not notice on your own.

• Peer Review: Join OET study groups or online forums to exchange practice materials and provide feedback for each other.
• Professional Review: Consider hiring an OET tutor to review your writing and speaking samples and give constructive feedback.

Resource:

• OET Tutor Finder
  Find an OET Tutor

9. Take Advantage of OET Preparation Courses

If you're looking for a structured study plan, OET preparation courses can provide personalized guidance and resources tailored to your profession. These courses cover all four sections of the exam and include mock tests and feedback.

• Online Courses: Many online platforms offer OET-specific courses, allowing you to study at your own pace.
• Webinars: Attend OET webinars for targeted strategies and advice from OET experts.

Resource:

• OET Preparation Courses
  Explore OET Online Courses

10. Stay Calm and Focused on Exam Day

Finally, the most important tip for OET success is to stay calm and focused on exam day. Anxiety can affect your performance, so follow these tips to keep nerves at bay:

• Arrive Early: Arrive at the test center with plenty of time to spare.
• Stay Hydrated: Drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated and focused.
• Breathe Deeply: Take a few deep breaths before each section to calm any nerves.

Tip: Keep a positive mindset and trust your preparation. You’ve worked hard for this—believe in your abilities!

Resource:

• OET Exam Day Checklist
  Download OET Exam Day Tips

Conclusion

Succeeding on the OET requires a combination of effective study habits, time management, and staying calm under pressure. By following these top 10 tips, you can maximize your chances of passing the OET and moving forward in your healthcare career. Preparation is key—start early, practice regularly, and use the resources available to you. Good luck!

Additional Resources:

• OET Official Website
  Visit OET.org
• Free OET Practice Tests
  Download OET Practice Tests
• OET Exam Preparation Portal
  Explore OET Preparation Portal