OET Speaking Sub-Test
  • Pre-test introduction [not assessed] [2-3 mins] - In each Speaking test, your identity and profession are checked by the interlocutor and there is a short warm-up conversation about your professional background. This is designed to make you feel comfortable in the test environment. The interlocutor asks you questions about your profession background. This discussion is not assessed.
  • Role plays [assessed] [prep 2-3 mins each & role-play 5 mins each].
Role-Plays

In each Speaking test, your identity and profession are checked by the interlocutor and there is a short warm-up conversation about your professional background. Then the role-plays are introduced one by one and you have three minutes to prepare for each. The role-plays take about five minutes each.

  • You receive information for each role-play on a card that you keep while you do the role-play. The card explains the situation and what you are required to do. You may write notes on the card if you want. If you have any questions about the content of the role-play or how a role-play works, you can ask them during the preparation time.
  • The role-plays are based on typical workplace situations and reflect the demands made on a health professional in those situations. The interlocutor follows a script so that the Speaking test structure is similar for each candidate. The interlocutor also has detailed information to use in each role-play. Different role-plays are used for different candidates at the same test administration.
How is speaking assessed in OET?
  • The whole Speaking sub-test is recorded and it is this audio recording that is assessed.
  • The Speaking sub-test is marked independently by a minimum of two trained OET Assessors.
  • Neither Assessor knows what scores the other has given you, or what scores you have achieved on any of the other sub-tests.
  • Your test day interlocutor plays no role in the assessment of your performance.
  • OET Assessors’ judgements are targeted and specific, not a general evaluation of candidates’ ability in spoken English.
  • OET Assessors are trained to focus on how a candidate responds to the particular task on the day. They apply specific assessment criteria that reflect the demands of communication in the health professional workplace. Remember that OET is a test of English-language skills, not a test of professional knowledge
  • Candidates who are familiar with the assessment criteria and pay attention to the details of the specific role-play task have a better chance of demonstrating their ability in the key areas. Candidates who use memorised material or merely rely on techniques that worked in other circumstances tend not to perform to their full potential in the test.
  • Your performance on each of the two Speaking role-plays is scored against nine criteria and receives a band score for each criterion. The nine criteria are separated into two different segments: Linguistic and Clinical Communicative.

Download your OET Speaking Criteria here

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Frequently Asked Questions
You can make notes on the role-play cards if you want, and you can refer to the card at any time during the role-play. You must return the card to the Interlocutor at the end of the role-play.
You should aim to achieve the highest level in the descriptors for each criterion. Test-takers securing grade B will have achieved predominantly scores of 5 out of 6 on each linguistic criteria and 2 out of 3 for the clinical communication criteria.
Don't hesitate to ask the interlocutor to clarify, as long as it is done professionally. It's better to ask for clarification than to continue depite the misunderstanding.
Each role-play is designed to elicit an assessable sample of speech which reflects your speaking ability in a health profession context. It is usual for a role-play to come to a natural end at around the 5-minute mark. If this does not happen, the Interlocutor will signal clearly that it is time to conclude the role-play. There is no penalty for not completing all the elements on the role card. However, the more elements of the role-play you cover, the more evidence you are likely to give of your ability to communicate in spoken English. Use the preparation time to think about which elements of the role-play might require you to explain something in more detail or to ask the patient for more clarification.
Before each of the role-plays, you have three minutes to prepare with the role card. During this time, you should read through the role card a couple of times to understand the situation and scenario that you will be discussing. It is also a good idea to use this time to brainstorm and think about how the patient might feel, whether there's any medical language you need to avoid, and how much time you need to spend on each task. The preperation time also allows you to ask the interlocutor any questions during this time.
Practice role-plays with a partner, focus on clear communication, and familiarise yourself with common healthcare scenarios. Check out our free videos on youtube! Or book 1:1 tutorials with our expert teachers!
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The Speaking subtest consists of two tasks. In each task, candidates engage in a role-playing scenario designed to mimic patient interactions. This subtest lasts 20 minutes.

Introduction to OET Speaking General Overview

Your role plays are assessed by at least two trained OET assessors. See at a glance how your skills are measured against linguistic and clinical communication criteria.

OET Speaking Criteria Linguistic and Clinical Communication