Occupational English Test: Top mistakes, How to avoid them

Marco Delgado, Chief Experience Officer, Occupational English Test talks about the top mistakes done by the test takers and how to avoid these mistakes.

Study Abroad: The OET Test is an English test specifically designed for healthcare professionals. The test evaluates a candidate’s listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills in specific healthcare scenarios. Its aim is to ensure an understanding of healthcare language and assess effective communication with patients and colleagues. The OET Test is recognised by global healthcare institutions worldwide and bridges healthcare professionals to their international careers.

The OET Test can be challenging and requires dedicated language learning, studying and ample preparation time. 

Common mistakes made by candidates can be easily avoided if recognised before test time. For each of the sections of the OET Test – these are the most common mistakes made by candidates and how to rectify them:

Listening - Listen to answer the question, not to match the words.

Staying focused during the listening test can be challenging due to surrounding noises on test day. A common mistake we find candidates making during test prep is practising with headphones in a quiet environment, leading to difficulty during the actual test. To ensure you are prepared, we recommend:
• Not using headphones for practice as some test venues don't provide them.
• You will find it easier to stay focused regardless of the environment around you. 

Another common mistake is underestimating the complexity of the listening test. To prepare effectively, we recommend:
• Improve listening skills by using podcasts.
• Build your listening stamina by gradually increasing audio duration per each listening practice session.
• Practice active listening.
• Write one-sentence summaries of the audio's main points.
• For OET practice listening resources, visit here.

Reading - read between the lines & review the requirements 

A common mistake that candidates make in the Reading test is misreading, or not understanding the question, leading to answering incorrectly. This is often due to the pressure and stress of the testing environment. 

To prepare effectively, we recommend:
• Practice inferring, or "reading between the lines". This means coming to a conclusion based on the context of the whole text, not just one line in isolation. 
• Familiarise yourself with synonyms. Look for words like "suggest," "point," "highlight," and "illustrate" as indicators to understand the deeper meaning of the words.
• Spelling is still important for the reading section. Be mindful of everything you write and take a few seconds after you’ve written your answer down to make sure you have written the words correctly.
• For OET practice reading resources, visit here.

Writing - Focus on answering the question – not on fancy vocabulary

One recurring mistake candidates make in the writing test is attempting to use a complex vocabulary to impress the examiners. It is important to remember that:
• The aim of this task is to check your writing skills.
• Meaning can be lost in complicated answers, which can lower your score. 
• There is a word limit of 180 to 200 words, so you must make sure your writing meets the reader’s needs, rather than trying to show the range of your vocabulary. 
• Before the test, familiarise yourself with medical English terms and their spelling.
• Commonly misspelt words can include advise/advice, recommend and even ‘writing’, which some candidates spell incorrectly with two Ts. Make sure to look out for these. 
• Always proofread your work if you have extra time to ensure you have correct spelling and grammar. 
• For OET practice writing resources, visit here.

Speaking - practice makes perfect 

A frequent mistake candidates make in the lead-up to the speaking test is not preparing enough. 

It is essential to allocate enough time preparing and practising for the test, as it builds confidence for test day. Though stressful, remember you have three minutes of preparation time before the test starts. We recommend:
• Using the OET’s checklist and sample Speaking test. During the test, take the lead as the healthcare professional and use your time wisely. 
• If you're especially nervous, consult the OET Study Guide for additional Speaking resources. The more you prepare, the more confident you'll feel.
• For OET practice speaking resources, visit here.

Effective OET Test preparation hinges on avoiding common mistakes. With lots of practice and attention to detail prior to taking the OET Test, candidates will ensure they succeed at the test and are prepared for the next step in their career. 

Article by Marco Delgado, Chief Experience Officer, Occupational English Test.

Read more:

• Over-the-counter nasal sprays can reduce antibiotic use: University of Bristol Study
• University of Arkansas student earns Prestigious NASA Fellowship