About the Training
Occupational English Test, more popularly known as OET, is an English Language Test designed solely for healthcare professionals and workers. This test is organised by BLA, i.e, Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment. This is an association between Cambridge English and Boxhill Institute. It is conducted in order to select the right level of English proficiency which helps the healthcare professionals to provide safe and high-quality care.
Eligibility There is no minimum age which needs to be adhered to. Since the test is for healthcare professionals, people falling in the 12 specified healthcare professions can appear for the test. Career OET’s are by standard accepted by the healthcare board and councils mentioned above. Each recognising organisation selects those candidates who meet the language competency standards to function in their profession.
Listening
Listening: This is a 3 part test which is made up of 42 questions. The test is of generic healthcare interest which is common to candidates across professions. The test has 40 minutes of audio. Time is provided for the candidates to write the answers.
Reading
Reading: The Reading sub-test is conducted in three parts which have a total of 42 question items. The topic here is general healthcare. This section takes 60 minutes to complete. The Reading sub-test structure consists of- Part A – expeditious reading task- four short texts are provided and the target is to locate specific information in the given texts. The ability to achieve that fast and efficiently is the primary reason for testing. Matching, sentence completion and short answer questions are what the 20 questions consist of. Part B – careful reading tasks- these subsections deal with six short texts from extracts of various healthcare professionals. The extracts can be anything from memos to emails to manuals. The questions here are multiple-choice questions. Part C- careful reading task- two 800 words texts are given. The examinee has to identify detailed meaning and then give their opinions on it. The test is in 8 multiple-choice questions.
Writing
Writing: This section is 45 minutes and is specific to the profession for which the exam is being attempted. Writing sub-test structure consists of- Part-A: Letter writing. The topic could range from referral letters to letters of advice. Part-B: Information from the stimulus material to be added to the letter. The performance is measured on parameters like-content, clarity and conciseness, language, the layout of the letter, purpose and genre and style of writing the same.
Speaking
Speaking: This is a one on one test which is for around 20 minutes. This is performed in a role-play format, where you play the healthcare professional and the interlocutor plays the patient or family of the patient. Speaking cub-test structure goes as follows- Part-A: The examinee is given 3 minutes of time to prepare for a role-play of 5 minutes. The informational details about the role-play are conveyed via a card that sheds light on the situation and the need. Part-B: The audio is recorded and is assessed by two trained OET assessors, the assessors are completely independent of each other. The interlocutor has no role in the marking. The bases for measurement are:- fluency, correct use of grammar and expression, appropriateness of the language, intelligibility.