OET Syllabus

The Occupational English Test (OET) is a language proficiency test designed for healthcare professionals seeking to work or study in English-speaking countries,  particularly in the healthcare sector.  It assesses the English language skills of candidates in a healthcare context,  focusing on their ability to communicate effectively with patients,  colleagues,  and other healthcare professionals.  The OET syllabus outlines the specific language skills and competencies that candidates are expected to demonstrate during the test.  This detailed explanation of the OET syllabus will cover the four primary language skills assessed in the test: listening,  Reading,  Writing,  and Speaking.

Listening:

The Listening section of the OET assesses a candidate’s ability to understand spoken English in a healthcare context.  It evaluates their capacity to listen to and comprehend various accents,  situations,  and voices commonly encountered in healthcare settings.  The Listening test includes two parts:

Part A: Consultation Extracts

In Part A,  candidates listen to recorded healthcare consultations,  typically between a healthcare professional and a patient.  These interactions may include case histories,  assessments,  or the discussion of treatment options.  Candidates are required to answer questions based on the information provided in the recordings.  This section evaluates their listening comprehension and ability to extract relevant information from these exchanges.

Part B: Presentation Extracts

Part B consists of recorded extracts from presentations,  interviews,  or discussions involving healthcare professionals.  Candidates listen to these excerpts and answer questions related to the content,  details,  and inferences made in the recordings.  This part assesses their ability to understand and analyse professional discussions and presentations in a healthcare context.

Reading:

The Reading section evaluates a candidate’s ability to understand and extract information from written texts commonly encountered in healthcare practice.  It focuses on both general and specific healthcare-related reading skills.  The Reading test includes two parts:

Part A: Reading for Gist

Part A consists of several short texts or articles related to healthcare,  such as guidelines,  patient information,  or general healthcare topics.  Candidates are required to answer questions that assess their ability to identify the main ideas,  opinions,  and general information presented in these texts.  This part evaluates their comprehension of written information in a healthcare context.

Part B: Reading for Detail

In Part B,  candidates encounter longer texts,  such as journal articles,  research papers,  or case notes.  They are assessed on their ability to locate and extract specific information from these texts,  as well as to understand details,  opinions,  and arguments presented in them.  This section evaluates their skills in reading and comprehending detailed written content in a healthcare context.

Writing:

The writing section of the OET assesses a candidate’s ability to produce clear,  coherent,  and contextually appropriate written texts in a healthcare context.  This section includes two tasks:

Task 1: Referral Letter

In Task 1,  candidates are required to write a referral letter based on case notes or patient information.  The letter should convey relevant medical information,  a clear clinical reason for the referral,  and details about the patient’s condition.  This task evaluates the candidate’s ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and refer patients for further care or treatment.

Task 2: Health Professions Council (HPC) Essay

Task 2 involves writing an essay related to a healthcare topic.  Candidates are expected to present a clear argument,  discuss the topic in a structured and coherent manner,  and provide relevant examples and evidence to support their arguments.  This task assesses the candidate’s ability to communicate effectively in writing,  analyze complex healthcare topics,  and convey their ideas logically.

Speaking:

The Speaking section of the OET evaluates a candidate’s ability to communicate effectively and professionally in a healthcare context.  It consists of two role-play interactions with an interlocutor.  In these interactions,  candidates are presented with scenarios that reflect real-life healthcare situations,  and they are required to engage in a conversation with the interlocutor.  The Speaking test assesses the following aspects:

Speaking Part A: Interview

In Part A,  candidates are typically required to discuss their professional background and experiences,  as well as answer questions related to their healthcare role and qualifications.  This section assesses their ability to provide information about themselves and their healthcare experience effectively.

Speaking Part B: Role-Play

Part B involves two role-play scenarios.  Candidates are given information about a patient’s condition,  background,  and needs.  They must engage in a conversation with the interlocutor,  who plays the role of a patient,  patient’s relative,  or another healthcare professional.  The role-play scenarios evaluate the candidate’s ability to demonstrate effective communication,  empathy,  and professionalism in a healthcare context.

 The OET syllabus is designed to comprehensively assess the language skills and competencies required for healthcare professionals to communicate effectively and safely in English-speaking healthcare settings.  The assessment covers listening,  reading,  writing,  and speaking skills in a healthcare context,  ensuring that candidates are well-prepared to function successfully in their professional roles and provide high-quality care to patients.  The OET syllabus is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect changes in healthcare practices and ensure that the assessment remains relevant and accurate.