How to pass the OET
Is OET a difficult test? How does it compare to the IELTS? Is it an easier option for the nurses? Are there any tips as to how to pass it first time round? These are the questions that you often ask about the Occupational English Test, OET for short. In this article I will tell you a little bit more about the exam itself and give you some tips to pass it quicker.
The Occupational English Test was first designed in the late 1980s by Professor Tim McNamara, under the guidance of the Australian National Office for Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR). The test has been researched and developed since then multiple times, mostly by the University of Melbourne, but now also by Cambridge English Language Assessment.
OET is widely recognised in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada, Malaysia and the Philippines. From 1st of November 2017, the Nursery and Midwifery Council in the UK started accepting OET as one of the tests you could provide as an English proficiency requirement when you are an overseas qualified nurse.
It is believed that the OET exam may be easier than the IETLS, mainly because of the fact that everything in this test is healthcare based, while the IELTS can be quite random. If you’re a new test taker, I would advise you first of all to familiarise yourself with the format of the exam, so you have more or less an idea what it looks like.
Another tip I would give you is to remember that OET is still an ENGLISH test, even though it is healthcare-themed. It will not test your medical knowledge and even though it may be a bit easier for you to understand the tasks as a healthcare professional, the test will still mark your English skills. Please do not think that if you take the OET exam, you do not have to prepare that much, because it is not true. You still have to put in much work and effort in order to get that grade B.
Invest in your preparation. Preparing by yourself for such exam can only be effective if you are already a fluent English speaker and have an academic knowledge of the language. Otherwise, you may need to ask for help of an experienced tutor to guide you. At IELTS Medical we offer OET preparation courses for our nurses, so they can be 100% ready once the exam day comes. We offer classes during the week in the evenings as well as during the weekends, so we can accommodate their busy schedules. Remember that even the natives struggle passing the exam with a satisfactory score! That is why getting the right guidance is essential.
Pass the OET with us… Call 02036376722!