For short, the occupational English test OET is an English proficiency test opted for by specialized health professionals like nurses, doctors, and those in health care professions. The OET test is challenging and can determine your future professional opportunity.
It provides a valid and reliable evaluation of language skills. If you’re planning to take the OET exam to pursue higher education or migrate to work in another country in the near future, you may be wondering- how much time you’ll need to prepare for the OET exam.
On average, it takes 4-8 weeks to prepare for OET Exam. However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The range is subjective. How Much time you’ll need to prepare for the OET exam depends on your English-speaking abilities. You might feel comfortable taking the OET exam after a year of preparation or choose to sit for the exam in as little as 1 week of preparation.
It is important to put in some effort while preparing for this exam to get the best results. The examination consists of four sub-sections that are customized to your profession.
The exam format is the same, but the questions vary depending on your discipline upon registration-dietetics, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, optometry, vet doc, pharmacy, physiotherapy, podiatry, or radiography.
This article will discuss how long an individual would take to prepare for the exam, not just to confine yourself to the number of weeks mentioned earlier, but how many hours individuals should invest daily. As you read, you’ll find the best OET preparation tips and strategies to help you take the exams.
How Much Time Should You Spend Preparing for the OET Exam?
While it is important to know the average time required to prepare for the OET exam comfortably, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. As an individual, you must know your language ability- this will guide you to choose the most suitable pace to study and confidently prepare for the exam.
As we mentioned earlier, most people, on average, take 4-6 weeks to prepare for the OET exam comfortably but the number of hours you put in daily has a key role to play as far as preparing for the OET exams is concerned. Someone who consistently practices for 4-5 hours daily is most likely to take the exams in several weeks or a month.
Those who put in 1-2 hours of practice daily but are not proficient in English are likely to take several months to feel comfortable taking the exam. However, someone who is fair in English and puts in an hour or two days should be prepared to sit for the OET test in four weeks.
The bottom line is there’s no fixed time you can put in to prepare for the OET exam. Note that every hour you spend practising is very important and affects your exam score. So, ensure you spend quality time practising. It mustn’t be lengthy, but make sure every minute you spend studying is productive and prepares you for a better grade in the exam you’re about to take.
How to Prepare for the OET Exam
Exam preparation doesn’t have to be stressful if you carefully schedule and plan to study for the exams.
The best tips to prepare for the OET exam are:
- Understand the structure of the OET exam
- Get OET preparation courses or join a preparation course
- Have an at-home study schedule with high-quality materials
- Start practising early
- Take a mock test from the OET portal.
- Set an attainable score for yourself
- Identify your weaknesses and improve your skills.
Let’s look on each one in detailed
➥ Understand the structure of the OET exam
The occupational English test (OET) emphasizes communication skills. This test is taken by individuals willing to take up jobs in the healthcare industry in other English countries. It is, therefore, crucial to understand that the format of the OET exam is the same for all occupations, though with different contents or questions depending on the individual’s chosen occupation. For instance, the questions a vet doc will get on their question paper are entirely different from those answered by a dietician, although both individuals would have the same exam format.
Each OET exam session consists of four subsections:
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
In the OET listening subsection, the candidate is required to complete the task in 45 minutes. The content is the same for all professions and will require the candidate to listen to diverse health-related issues and answer the questions that follow. Check the complete guide on OET listening.
The reading section takes about 60 minutes, and the test content is the same for all professions. You may want to check out the complete guide to OET reading here.
Candidates are expected to complete the writing section in 45 minutes. This section is more occupation-specific. Read more.
The speaking section is also occupation-specific. The test is conducted individually, and the task can be completed within 20 minutes. Learn more on OET speaking guide.
➥ Get OET preparation courses or join a preparation course.
Imagine missing a life-changing opportunity to work abroad because you failed to prepare adequately for your test. Preparing the right way warrants a good grade on your OET test. Enrolling in a preparation course is a sure guide to getting a good score in your OET exams. There is a variety of them, both online and offline. Taking preparation courses gives you the opportunity to;
- Have a mastery of the exam format
- Take one-on-one tutorial lessons with experts
- Take mock exams and other practice questions under timed conditions
- Get exam tips and tricks from experts on how to take the test effectively
- Get feedback on your performance
➥ Have an at-home study schedule with high-quality materials
Candidates who pass their OET exam carry out a good home study plan. A good home study plan is inevitable for individuals who want to score at least a 350/500 on the OET test. We’ve already discussed the number of hours you can feasibly put in daily preparing for this exam, and any extra time you put in is a plus. During this time, practice listening, speaking, writing, and reading books written in English. Check out authentic, high-quality material from the OET official website
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➥ Start practising early
An ideal way to prepare for any exam is to begin studying early. Rushing over your study material wont pay off. Take time to prepare for your test; only apply when you’re confident and comfortable taking the exams.
➥ Take a mock test from the OET portal.
A mock test familiarizes you with the format and nature of the OET test. No matter your English language level, always take a mock test before applying for the OET exams. Read more on how to book for the OET exam
➥ Set an attainable score for yourself
Set the desired score as you prepare for your OET exams. You are set to perform well in your exams if you have an attainable score and study hard towards achieving that goal.
➥ Identify your weaknesses and improve your skills.
Taking a mock test is necessary. It acts as a diagnostic tool to help you understand your strengths and weaknesses, giving you room to improve your overall communication skills. Pay attention to the questions you failed while taking the mock exams, go through your tutorial lessons keenly and focus on improving your language skills through thorough practice and listening.
Can I prepare for the OET exam in 4 weeks?
The simple answer is yes. If you are fair in English, one month is enough time to consistently study for the OET exam, especially if you’ve been pressed and need to prepare in a hurry. Take live lessons during your 30-day study and use the high-quality study materials available. It would be best if you plan your preparation accordingly. Follow the tips above to carefully prepare yourself for the OET exam in four weeks.
