Unlike the Writing and Speaking tests, this test is not profession-specific.It consists of 3 parts with a total of 42 questions.
For all 3 parts together, the total time limit is 50 minutes.Top Tips For OET Listening Part A During Covid LockdownTop Tips To Prepare For OET Listening Part B During the Covid LockdownHere, we will discuss Part C. You can also check out our posts on Part A and Part B.Part C: Presentation extractsIt consists of recorded presentations related to healthcare topics – typically a healthcare professional talking about or being interviewed about a particular aspect of his work.The test consists of 2 recordings, each of about 5 minute’s duration.
This is meant to be a reflection of the global nature of the healthcare workforce.Required skillslanguage comprehension, including accent and pronunciationability to understand lengthy information related to healthcare in Englishbasic analytical abilities – including comprehension of inference and implicationExamplesTo help acquaint you with the OET Listening test, we are using genuine OET material.
To hear the sample extracts in full, refer to the given link (you may have to skip forward to the relevant part).Listening Sample Test 1Why does Dr Robson regard Chagas as a neglected disease?because of the social groups it mainly affectsbecause patients often don’t realize they’re infectedbecause its impact is severe in a relatively small number of casesDr Robson says that concerns over Chagas in the USA are the result ofa rise in the number of people at risk of being infected with the disease.a greater awareness of how many people there have the disease.an increased prevalence of the insect which carries the disease.A patient called Marisol recently asked Dr Robson to test her for Chagas becausehe was worried about the health of any children she might give birth to.she wanted to know whether it was safe for her to donate blood.she thought she had symptoms associated with the disease.Listening Sample Test 2What does Sandra Morton see as the main aim in her work?to inform patients about the different treatments on offerto publicise the availability of tests for the conditionto raise awareness of the symptoms of the illnessWhen Harry was offered a routine health check at his local surgery, he initiallyresisted the idea due to his wife’s experience.felt that he was too fit and well to be in need of it.only agreed to attend because his doctor advised him to.During Harry’s investigations for prostate cancer at a hospital clinic, hefelt part of the examination procedure was unpleasant.found it hard to cope with the wait for some results.was given false hope by a preliminary blood test.Tips for preparationHoning key language skillsListening and language comprehension skills: For this test, familiarising yourself with various accents and the pronunciations of different words is required.Build your vocabulary: Vocabulary skills involve knowing a large number of words, what they mean, spellings and appropriate use – both related to your profession, as well as colloquial vocabulary.Grammar skills: Grammar skills are necessary in order to help you decipher sentence structures and the various nuances of speech, in order to interpret meanings accurately during the listening test.The best ways to develop the above skills, involveexposing yourself to English in use in various audio formats – including particularly television and online videos (ensure that you also choose such material from a number of different countries, in order to get used to different accents)reading plenty of material, including medical texts, journals, textbooks and so on, as well as informative books/magazines/online resources where good English is bound to be usedand finally…2.
…Practice!Answer as many mock OET tests as you can – ideally, a minimum of 6-7.In doing so, not only will you hone the above skills, but you will also:Get used to the nature of the recorded extractsGet used to performing the test within a limited timeGet used to making correct inferencesGet used to recognising implied informationNote:Inference refers to the meaning you as the reader can get from what the speaker is saying – even when it is not said exactly that wayExample (see recording B.
)What is said: “A procedure that I like to explain to patients is uncomfortable but entirely necessary.”Inference: Patients may be reluctant to have the procedure, but must be told that it is important.implied information refers to the meaning that the speaker is giving without saying it at allExample (see recording B.
