OET Speaking

OET Speaking Tips

For the speaking test you will do two role-play scenarios, one at a time. When you receive the card, read it carefully and ask yourself what your role is in the scenario. Consider the following:

• Is your job to provide information, to reassure, to persuade, or to find out information?
• Write down anything that might be useful to you later (such as questions to ask the patient), and ask the interlocer any questions you have before the role-play starts.
• You are in control of the conversation: you introduce yourself, move through each of the tasks one at a time, and you end the conversation when you are done.
• To introduce yourself, provide your name, the context and the scenario (e.g. “Hi, my name is Sam and I am a nurse working in the cardiac ward today. I’m here to take your blood pressure.”)
• Avoid starting with something broad, such as “how are you”, and instead start by covering the first task.
• Once you have completed the task, move on to the second, and so forth.
• If your job is to explain, ensure the patient understands by asking them.
• If it is to reassure, validate their feelings (such as “I understand why you might be feeling nervous, and if you have any concerns please let me know…”).
• If your job is to persuade someone to do something, ask him or her why they are resistant to your suggestions. Use their answers to help persuade them that by doing what you want them to do, it will ultimately be beneficial for them.
• Don’t worry if you don’t manage to change their mind, sometimes patients or their family members will not agree with you.
• If you are short on time, brainstorm questions or explanations and check that you have covered all tasks.
• If the 5 minutes expire and you hadn’t finished the tasks don’t worry, provided you have managed to cover most of the tasks in that time.
• Avoid going off topic, and try to stick to the tasks provided, however it is important to respond to the patient if they ask you questions, or express any concerns to you.
• Empathy is a very important aspect of the marking criteria.
• Once you have finished the task, end by asking them if they have any more questions or concerns to signal the end of the conversation.

When you are doing Speaking in OET, always follow these tips above.