The OET
speaking test takes about 20 minutes to complete. There are 2 role plays
lasting about 6 minutes each and some preparatory time given in between. The
examiner plays the role of a patient and the test taker plays the role of the
health professional.
The speaking task asks you to react to different situations. Remember; you are being tested for your English proficiency and not for your professional knowledge. Since your speech is being recorded, make sure you speak clear and loud . Speak using expressions in your voice and tone.At all times appear calm and relaxed since your “patient” (Role Player) will be anxious and concerned and might repeat his/her complaints several times or even argue about the treatment. You must use words and a tone to give confidence to the patient.
Our OET Test Preparation Institute trains you how to react to different situations:
A) The Role Player panics—needs to immediately the outcome of a
treatment/test
Use a calm and
reassuring tone:"Please
don’t worry. It might take two days for the test to come through/your allergies
to disappear/your symptoms to reduce. I will recommend a treatment only after
that...you can call me/alert me if anything goes wrong in the meantime/you can
report to emergency if any symptom aggravates."
B) The Role Player is worried about his/her state/symptoms but does not know
what happened or how he/she got the illness.
Ask questions that will lead to a diagnosis: Use a relaxed tone. Ask questions
loud and clear and wait until the Role Player has finished responding. Speak
slowly. Make listening sounds like—“Hmmm...Hmmm.., yeah, okay, sure, etc.Some
of the questions could be:
ü How many days since you noticed the
rashes?
ü Have you kept a record of your
temperature?
ü How many days since you have had high
fever?
ü Do you feel giddy/restless? /Do you
sleep well at night?
üCan you tell me exactly where the
pain is? Are you taking any medications now?
C) The care giver or parent asks questions about the patient
Explain the symptoms and treatment clearly. Pacify the
parent/caregiver and run him/her through the treatment. Make him her repeat the
treatment procedure and ask if he/she has understood or needs more clarity.
Make sure you appear patient even if you feel the role player is asking
unnecessary questions or repeating his/her concerns:
Reassure: I don’t think there is anything to
worry about.
Explain: These mild rashes are present in
all new born infants. This should go away on its own /The pain should go away
in a couple of days
Treatment/medication: You should make sure your father
takes these pills twice a day. Make sure that your father takes them before his
meals.
Addressing concerns: If your son refuses to eat, feed
him small amounts every half an hour .There is no harm if he is eating less
than he usually does. This is only because he is sick .Once he gets better, you
can feed him larger portions.
Follow up: Do keep a record of his
temperature. If the temperature gets too high, you can always bring him to the
emergency./See if the rashes have come down by tomorrow evening. If not, please call and report to the nurse on duty/Please come back if the tests turn out to
be positive. I will be prescribing medications only after the results of the
test are known
Ensure that the patient
has understood: Have
I made myself clear? /Are there any questions? /Would you like to repeat what
you have understood?
D) Take permission, give instructions if the patient has to undergo a procedure:
ü You will have to take an x-ray. Do
you mind opening your mouth wide while I insert the film to take an x-ray of
your molar? This will not pain. Please do not close your mouth for about two
minutes/until I say so.
ü Could you please raise your leg.I
would like to examine your leg for bruises
ü Please lie face down on the examining
table.I would like to examine your back for rashes.
Practice many profession related role-plays at our OET Test Preparation institute.
