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For health professionals looking to establish their medical career in a country abroad with an English-speaking environment in place, the OET exam is an important milestone. With good OET scores being a mandatory requirement in most countries, the strategies for preparing for this English skill test have to be very stringent and to the point. Out of all the strategies to consider during the OET preparation, time management abilities are critical because time management can make or break your results.

Managing Time in the OET Sub-Tests

The OET exam consists of four sub-tests, ie., Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The sub-tests specifically evaluate various skills of the candidates that are essential during their career as healthcare professionals and beyond. During the examination, it is very important to make sure that you allot proper time for each sub-test. Effective time management ensures that you stay stress-free during the exam, thereby increasing accuracy and enhancing your OET exam scores. Here’s how to approach each sub-test:

Listening:

Before you begin the OET listening test, make sure that you read the instructions and questions carefully, so that while listening, you will be able to focus more on what is needed. Make sure that you note down the important points effectively. For this, you need to practice note-making well beforehand. While listening, there are chances that you might miss something. Do not bother about what you have missed, but continue listening without losing focus.

Reading

When you start OET reading the given piece, make sure you apply both skimming (looking for a general overview) and scanning (looking for specific information). Also, ensure that your reading speed is quick enough, and that you allocate more time to the harder parts.

Writing

Before you sit down to write the answer, plan what all have to be included in the answer. Make sure that you have a clear structure in your mind and try to reproduce it, so that you will not have to spend time thinking once you have started.  Practice OET writing through timed mocks for a better hand during the OET exam.

Speaking

Read common healthcare scenarios and try role-plays with friends or mentors. The more you practise, the more confident you will feel during the test. Practise responding to speaking prompts clearly and within a set time. This helps you stay focused and communicate effectively without moving off-topic.

Create a study schedule with regular timed practice and simulate test conditions using timers, which can help you to manage time effectively during the OET exam. Take as many full-length practice tests, review your performance at regular intervals, and adjust your study plan accordingly. During the OET exam try and avoid common mistakes like spending too much time on one question, rushing through questions or skipping review time.

If you are still in doubt about how to prepare effectively for OET exams, we are here to help. To take your OET preparation to the next level, join our OET course and make sure you excel in this English communication examination. Feel free to contact us for more information.

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Authored By: Pooja Premraj