Across all four areas, the average OET exam results fell between 0.79 and 0.86. If those numbers frighten you, it might be time to contribute extra study time toward OET preparation.

Healthcare professionals needing to prove English proficiency will have to pass the OET exam which will require specific OET preparation geared specifically to the test. But even though you’ll be training yourself on specifics, general preparation rules can still be followed for best results.

The Basics of OET Preparation

If you aren’t sure you’ll need to pass the OET exam, check out the following professions for which it’s required:

• Dentistry
• Dietetics
• Pharmacy
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Occupational Therapy
• Veterinary Medicine
• Speech Pathology
• Radiography
• Podiatry
• Pharmacy
• Physiotherapy
• Optometry

Gathering recommended study resources, such as study guides or practice exams, can help you better prepare for the exam day. Utilize study tools like flashcards, online quizzes, and study groups to better prepare for your exam.

It also helps to understand if you are a visual, auditory, reading and writing, or kinesthetic learners. This can help you tailor your study techniques to match your learning strengths.

Get Started Early On

The night before is not the time to learn all four areas of an important exam. Long-term retention kicks in with study intervals over longer periods of time.

Try studying for 20 to 50 focused minutes followed by short breaks. Stretch this out over days or weeks to improve your retention. You can also try through in some cardio to improve overall memory.

Set Realistic Goals

Don’t become frustrated if you aren’t picking things up immediately. Studying can be difficult and you’re likely to stumble across a few areas where you particularly struggle.

Setting goals for yourself can be rewarding and give you the motivation to keep pushing through. Make sure these goals aren’t too lofty as they can then have the opposite effect on your self-esteem.

Focus on Weak Areas

If you know you struggle with the listening portion of the exam, double up on study time dedicated to this area. Seek out help from peers or advisors for tips and tricks.

Because you can apply to take the test whenever you’re ready, you have the flexibility to prepare at length. Don’t feel pressured to rush into an exam you’re unprepared for.

Take your time and only sign-up when you feel confident in your abilities. It will save you plenty of stress and will pay-off in major ways.

Prepare for All Parts of the OET Exam

There are four parts to the OET exam – listening, speaking, writing, and reading.

OET listening includes 42 questions across 40 minutes of audio recording. The reading portion requires 42 completed questions within 60 minutes.

The writing portion is a bit different. It is task-based and specific to your profession. This portion takes 45 minutes to complete.

The last part is the speaking portion. This is administered individually and should take about 20 minutes to complete.

Acing the OET Exam with Proper Preparation

With proper OET preparation and enough exam practice, you’ll ace the exam without a sweat. It’s important to follow basic and specific exam preparation measures. As with any test, remember to do your best and trust your first answers.