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Learn to search out information by gleaning through information packs. One of the OET
test is a 15 minute reading test which technically does not allow you sufficient time to read
all the paragraphs of information provided. The technique to ace this is to find key words
in the questions and quickly scroll through the information text and identify the key word.
Once you do, you will find the answer there...do not waste time wondering if this is the
correct one or not...FILL IN THE BLANKS. Example - The success and survival rate for
patients undergoing balloon angioplasty during a myocardial infarct is ____%. The key
word is "balloon angioplasty"...go to the information/text and search for this word and you
should find the data to fill in the blank. DO NOT READ THE WHOLE
information/TEXT...you will have NO time after reading to do your questions!!
You have 1 minute before each section of a test starts...USE IT to read all the questions
ahead of you. This IS doubly important for LISTENING. If you try to listen and look at the
question at the same time, you will fall behind because there is only one chance to hear
it...The
tape
of
the
conversation
or
speech
is
never
repeated.
The OET Writing test requires you to write a letter in a professional context within a 45
minute time period. Your letter is then assessed against five criteria, which mainly
look at whether you have written enough words, used appropriate vocabulary,
understood the situation, provided the right information and your overall ability to
communicate
effectively
in
English.
Follow these tips to improve your performance:1. Take the time to understand the situation and the requirements of the task.
2. Try to write between 180-200 words and avoid copying parts of the question or notes.
3. Write in a formal style and avoid using slang language or abbreviations.
4. Remember why you are writing and who you are writing it for.
5. Include important information that the reader needs to know and leave out information that
is not important or not relevant.
6. Write as neatly as possible. The examiner must be able to clearly read your writing.
7. Try to use complex sentences where it is appropriate. If your sentence is too long or
complicated, break it down into more simple sentences.
8. Organize the information clearly. Use paragraphs where appropriate. Remember, each
idea should have its own paragraph.
9. Check your writing for spelling mistakes, punctuation and grammar errors.
10. Do some practice tests before you sit your exam.
So follow these tips to prepare for the OET test and with practice you will improve your
results.
General Advice:
1. Before you begin writing, underline all the information in the notes that you think is
relevant to the specialist you are referring to. Imagine you were that specialist;
what information would you like to accompany a new patient whom you have never
seen before?
2. Give each idea its own paragraph. Each paragraph should be no longer than 4 or 5
lines. If you want to save space on your answer sheet, indent the beginning of the
first line of each paragraph. Some students think that they have broken up their
answer into paragraphs, but if the examiner can't see the beginning of each
paragraph, you will lose marks for Control of Presentation Features.
1. Practice writing neatly. There is no marking criteria for handwriting, but if the
examiner is unable to read your handwriting, you have failed to communicate
effectively and your Overall Task Fulfilment and Control of Presentation Features
criteria may suffer as a result.
Common mistakes with medical Collocations (words that should go together)
Right
Wrong
admitted to hospital
admitted in hospital
Appropriateness of language
* Organize the information clearly the sequence of information in the case notes may not
be the most appropriate sequence of information for your letter
* Highlight the main purpose of your letter at the start this provides the context for the
information you include
* Be clear about the level of urgency for the communication
* Always keep in mind the reason for writing dont just summarize the case notes provided
* Focus on important information and minimize incidental detail
* If it will help, be explicit about the organization of your letter: e.g., First I will outline the
problems the patient has, then I will make some suggestions for his treatment.
* Consider using dates and other time references (e.g., three months later, last week, a year
ago) to give a clear sequence of events where necessary
* Remember that all professional letters are written in a relatively formal style
* Avoid informal language, slang, colloquialisms and spoken idiom unless you are sure this
is appropriate (e.g., use Thank you rather than Thanks a lot)
* Avoid SMS texting abbreviations in a formal letter (e.g., use you not u)
* Give the correct salutation: if you are told the recipients name and title, use them
* Show awareness of your audience by choosing appropriate words and phrases: if you are
writing to another professional, you may use technical terms and, possibly, abbreviations; if
you are writing to a parent or a group of lay people, use non-technical terms and explain
carefully
Comprehension of stimulus
* Demonstrate in your response that you have understood the case notes fully
* Be clear what the most relevant issues for the reader are
* Dont let the main issue become hidden by including too much supporting detail
* Show clearly the connections between information in the case notes if these are made;
however, do not add information that is not given in the notes (e.g., a suggested diagnosis),
particularly if the reason for the letter is to get an expert opinion
* Take relevant information from the case notes and transform it to fit the task set
* If the stimulus material includes questions that require an answer in your response, be
explicit about this dont hide the relevant information in a general summary of the notes
provided
* Remember that many of the words you write are also in the case notes check that
the spelling you use is the same
* Be consistent in your spelling: alternative spelling conventions (e.g., American or
British English) are acceptable as long as your use is consistent
* Dont use symbols as abbreviations in formal letters
* Avoid creating any negative impact on your reader through the presentation of the
letter
* Use a clear layout to avoid any miscommunication
* Make sure poor handwriting does not confuse the reader over spelling and meaning
* Write legibly so the assessor can grade your response fairly using the set criteria
What type of Reading skills are tested?
The types of question in Part A of the Reading sub-test are to allow you to demonstrate that,
for example, you can:
locate specific information in a range of short texts
understand the relationship between different types of information
understand the conventions of different text types
identify underlying concepts
draw logical inferences
synthesis information from different sources
differentiate main ideas from supporting information
identify, distinguish and compare facts from a variety of text types
understand the presentation of textual and numerical data
summarize information for a non-medical audience
use contextual clues to determine text meaning and to supply missing information
recognize paraphrase
use appropriate spelling and word forms
The types of question in Part B of the Reading sub-test are to allow you to demonstrate that,
for example, you can:
understand main ideas
locate specific information
differentiate main ideas from supporting information
identify underlying concepts
draw logical inferences
understand a range of general and medical vocabulary
work out the meaning of a word or phrase from the context it is used in
identify the underlying theme of a paragraph or text
recognize paraphrase
understand cohesion between parts of a text through lexical and grammatical
cohesion devices
follow a complicated argument that is made over several paragraphs
distinguish between what is stated and what is not stated
recognize the connections between ideas (e.g., causes and effect)
You need to understand how the writer constructs the text to communicate his/her message.
This may involve using words and phrases to show, for example,
the order of events (e.g., firstly, secondly; initially, subsequently, in the end)
consequences (e.g., due to, therefore, as a result)
contrasting or alternative ideas (e.g., however, on the other hand, despite)
the extension of an idea (e.g., in addition, furthermore)
It may involve understanding how an academic or professional text works (is built and holds
together) using, for example,
text references (e.g., this, the other study, as noted above)
normalization (choosing nouns rather than verbs or adjectives, e.g., explanation [from
explain], detoxification, assessment)
complicated comparative structures (e.g., The study found that women over 60
benefited from the therapy almost twice as much as those aged between 20 and 35
did.)
long noun phrases (e.g., The four-year study into the uptake and continuing use of the
drug-based treatment administered with appropriate medical supervision discovered
that )
groups of words with shades of meaning (e.g., states, concludes, implies, suggests,
proposes, assumes, supposes, believes, considers, presumes)
Do s and dont s
Do answer every question
Dont get stuck on one question keep going and come back to it at the end
Do take a sample test under test conditions beforehand so you know what it feels like
Do bring and use a soft (2B) pencil
Do record your answers accurately on the answer sheet before the 60 minutes is over
Do follow the instructions on the answer sheet about how to fill in your answers
Dont give more than one answer for a question this gets no marks
Take each question in turn and make sure you look in the right place for the answer (e.g.,
according to paragraph 2 means the question refers to information given in paragraph 2)
Read each question carefully, looking out for key words, e.g., which statement is TRUE,
which statement is FALSE, which of the following is NOT appropriate
Consider the options in turn and try to explain to yourself exactly what makes each one right
or wrong
Write on the text and questions if it helps you (e.g., underlining key words and phrases) but
dont make it more difficult for you to read by adding too many marks
Checking at the end
Make sure you have one answer marked on the answer sheet for each of the questions
Check you have put your answer against the correct question number
Follow the instructions on the answer sheet about changing an answer: use an eraser to
delete the original answer and re-mark the new answer clearly
Dont make any last-minute changes unless you are sure
Dont leave any blanks
Short introduction
1
Patients past medical history
Patients past medications
Patients current medical history
Patients current medications (in detail)
Perhaps some social particulars (lives alone)
2
Perhaps some physical particulars (needs walking frame)
3
What you want done now with the patient