OET For Pharmacists

Tips For OET

Occupational English Test for pharmacists lays the emphasis for communication skills in all four language skills.

This article here will give pharmacists tips for OET

1. In the speaking section of the test questions will be related to the profession. For pharmacists, the questions will be related to the role they play in the medical profession.

2. The listening test consists of 3 parts and will have 42 questions related to the profession. The time authorized is 40 minutes which includes recorded speech and you can write your answers by pausing the audio for a while.
a. The part A section of listening will access your ability to identify the profession specific information in the audio. The tip for OET in listening is to listen carefully and pay attention to details. Relate the audio with questions.
b. Part b will access your ability to identify the details, purpose, gist of the small extracts at the workplace of healthcare. In total there will be 6 recordings with information about handouts, briefings, patients-doctor or pharmacists dialogues. The question format is multiple choice questions for each extract.
c. The part C sections of the exam access your ability to follow up the recorded presentation or interview. There will be 6 multiple choice questions in this section.

3. The reading section is again of three parts and has 42 questions in total with 60 minutes for the task. The three parts a, b and c access the ability of the pharmacist to extract information, interpret and understand the context presented. Part C section tests the ability of understanding complex sentences related to the healthcare profession.

4. The writing section is for 45 minutes and again is very profession specific. The pharmacists attending the OET is required to write a referral letter , letter of discharge or letter of advise or letter of drug regimen. Writing criteria is assessed by two trained assessors. The written matter will be accessed in 5 categories which include task fulfillment, use of language, and stimulus of the context, grammar features and use of spelling, layout and punctuation. The tip for OET in writing skill is to be careful of language use. Do not use slangs.

5. Speaking as mentioned earlier will be related to topics on healthcare and will be 20 minutes. The conversation will be mostly on the professional background of the candidate. There will be role pays involved where upon choosing the card of role play the candidate will be asked question on work place depending on it.

Overall, the question pattern is not too difficult to understand nor is it difficult to follow up. The questions are work place related and very specific to healthcare work place related. The candidate has to be careful of the time allotted and enough emphasis cannot be laid on this. Timing and punctuality is everything. Pronunciation, vocabulary, language use, choice of words, understanding the concerns of the patient, the written prescriptions, health cards and posters will all be assessed. The candidate should be comfortable with the knowledge pertaining to his profession to be able to deliver satisfactory answers. 

OET for pharmacists is not a difficult test nor has a pattern different to other professions. Only the questions will change according to the profession.