OET Speaking Test Role Play Cards
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OET Speaking assesses how well you communicate in realistic healthcare situations. The sub-test takes about 20 minutes and includes two profession-specific role plays of about 5 minutes each. To perform well, need to do is to follow the role play card and ensure that all bullet points in the card have been duly addressed. At the same time, build rapport, ask relevant questions, respond to the patient’s concerns and explain information clearly. The role play normally ends around the 5-minute mark, so use your preparation time to decide which points need the most detail.
Table of Contents
How the OET Speaking sub-test works
In OET Speaking, you complete two role plays based on workplace situations from your healthcare profession. You receive a role play card and preparation time before each scenario. During the role play, the interlocutor takes the role of a patient, carer or relative, while you communicate as the healthcare professional. The aim is not to memorise a script, but to show clear, natural and patient-centred communication.
How OET Speaking is assessed
Your Speaking audio is assessed by OET assessors using official assessment criteria. The Linguistic Criteria include intelligibility, fluency, appropriateness of language, and resources of grammar and expression. The Clinical Communication Criteria assess relationship-building, understanding and incorporating the patient’s perspective, providing structure, information-gathering and information-giving. Use the samples below to practise these skills, not just to tick off every bullet point.
Some of the basics to get right in the OET Speaking sub-test are:
- Introduce yourself and confirm the patient’s situation politely.
- Use open questions to understand the patient’s main concern.
- Show empathy before giving advice or instructions.
- Use clear, professional language that the patient can understand.
- Organise the conversation so the patient can follow your explanation.
- Invite the patient to ask questions and check their understanding.
- Address the important points on the role play card without sounding scripted.
- Summarise the plan at the end if time allows.
Use the sample role play cards and recordings below to practise different healthcare scenarios. Do not memorise the answers. Instead, practise how to open the conversation, ask follow-up questions, respond to concerns, explain the next steps and close the role play naturally.
Pregnancy
TOPIC
Pregnancy
SETTING
GP OFFICE
Doctor
Your patient is a 17-year-old lady who has come to see you because she believes that she might be pregnant.
TASK
- Find out if the patient has taken a pregnancy test to confirm the pregnancy.
- Ask the patient if she knows how far along in her pregnancy she may be.
- Reassure the client that she has full doctor-patient confidentiality. You will not discuss her case with anyone unless you get express permission from her to do so.
- Reassure the patient that she does not have to make any immediate decisions right now. Explain to the patient that as a doctor your goal is to make sure that she is given access to all information and resources available. You will support her in any decision that she makes.
- Explain that your role is to provide accurate information, answer her questions and support her decision-making. Discuss referral options such as counselling, family planning or other appropriate specialist support, according to local guidelines and the patient's wishes.
- Advise the patient to speak to a close family member or someone she trusts.
Pregnancy
TOPIC
Pregnancy
SETTING
GP OFFICE
PATIENT
You are a 17-year-old woman who has come to see your GP because you believe you are pregnant. The pregnancy is unexpected. You have not told anyone about it.
TASK
- Tell the doctor that you have taken a home pregnancy test and it is positive.
- Tell the doctor that you are not sure but suspect that you may be a few weeks pregnant. Stress to the doctor that you do not want your parents to find out.
- Inform the doctor that the pregnancy has taken you by surprise and you do not know what to do.
- Ask the GP if they have any advice for you.
- Tell the doctor that you will consider what they have said.
Expensive Medication
TOPIC
Expensive Medication
SETTING
Community Pharmacy
Pharmacist
A customer has come to the pharmacy today to pick up their medication. As you fill the prescription for the medications, you see that the expensive medication, Methotrexate has not been automatically covered by the clients insurance or workplace.
TASK
- The client has come to pay for their medications. You inform the client that although one medication appears to be covered by their workplace, the second medication was not approved for coverage. That means to receive the medication, they will have to pay for it out of pocket.
- The client says the medication is too expensive, they cannot afford it. Ask them if they have other types of coverage.
- This medication cannot be discounted. Unfortunately, you cannot do anything. They have to pay for the medication or you can’t give it to them.
- There are no alternatives that you know of for this drug. Tell the client.
- The client seems very upset that they won’t be able to get their second medication. Sympathize with the client.
- Consider ways you can help such as speaking to their doctor again.
Expensive Medication
TOPIC
Expensive Medication
SETTING
Community Pharmacy
Patient
You have come to the pharmacy today to collect your prescription for medications that treat your rheumatoid arthritis. Part of the prescription contains the medication Methotrexate which is expensive. You are not sure if your workplace covers the cost of the full prescription.
TASK
- The pharmacist tells you that only one of those medications in the prescription is being covered by your workplace. You will have to pay for the second medication out of your own pocket. Tell the pharmacist that you cannot afford this.
- Tell the pharmacist you have no other type of coverage that you are eligible for. Ask them if they would be able to give you a discount.
- Ask the pharmacist if there are any cheaper alternatives to that medication.
- You are very upset that you will not be able to take this medication. It is crucial for your treatment.
Breaking the Rules
TOPIC
Breaking the Rules
SETTING
Post-surgery clinic
NURSE
You are seeing a 17-year-old patient who just underwent surgery 3 days ago for the removal of a cyst. The surgery was successful, but you have received complaints from staff about this patient. You have come to speak to the patient.
TASK
- Ask the patient how they are feeling after the procedure.
- Inform the patient that you are here because you would like to speak to them about reports that they are being disruptive on the unit. You have received complaints that the patient has been inviting lots of friends and guests to the hospital during non-visiting hours.
- Tell the patient that the guests have been coming in large numbers, making a lot of noise, and disrupting staff members and other patients.
- Ask the patient if they can ask their visitors to come during visiting hours and while here to be mindful of their noise level and any disturbance they are causing.
- Tell the patient that all patients on this unit are recovering from surgery and everyone should have the right to do so in peace.
- Continue to ask the patient for their cooperation with the matter. If the patient refuses, inform them that you will escalate the complaint.
Breaking the Rules
TOPIC
Breaking the Rules
SETTING
Post-surgery clinic
PATIENT
You are a 17-year-old patient who recently underwent a surgery 3 days ago. The surgery was successful. You are on the ward for another few days for observation. The nurse has come to see you.
TASK
- Tell the nurse that you feel fine and are healing well.
- The nurse informs you about complaints made against you regarding your guests. Tell the nurse you don’t see what the problem is.
- Tell the nurse that you have a lot of friends that just want to see you. You’re not going to tell your friends not to come and say hello.
- Tell the nurse that you will ask your friends to keep the noise down, but you won’t tell them not to come. Additionally, no one ever said there was a guest limit. It’s not fair to put these restrictions on you. Having your friends visit cheers you up.
- Continue to insist that you are not doing anything wrong. Your visitors should be allowed to come whenever they want to visit you.
Physio's Role Play Card
Spinal Cord Injury
TOPIC
Breaking the Rules
SETTING
Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit
PARTNER
You are the partner of a 26-year-old inpatient who was recently diagnosed with T4 Spinal Cord Injury due to a sports injury. The patient was referred to physiotherapy for early rehabilitation treatment. You have asked to meet with the physiotherapist today since you have a lot of questions and anxiety about the future.
TASK
- When asked, say that your partner is emotional and in denial about the diagnosis. He/she understands they may not walk again but seems to still hold onto the hope of a quick recovery.
- When asked about your partner’s condition, mention that their upper body remains strong, as they are an athlete. No significant changes have occurred aside from the paralysis, though you have noticed some instability when they attempt to sit upright.
- Share that you just got married with plans to have a child next year. Ask whether this goal is still achievable.
- Express your own feelings of denial, noting the difficulty in accepting your partner’s current state since you are newly married and had many future plans. Mention that you feel unprepared for this level of responsibility.
- Inquire about the treatment goals and ask how you can assist in the process.
Physio's Role Play Card
Spinal Cord Injury
TOPIC
Breaking the Rules
SETTING
Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit
THERAPIST
You are meeting the partner of a 26-year-old inpatient recently diagnosed with a T4 Spinal Cord Injury resulting from a sports injury. The patient has been referred to physiotherapy for early rehabilitation. This is your first session with the patient, and the partner has requested to meet with you beforehand. The partner appears anxious.
TASK
- Find out how the patient has been coping with the diagnosis and what he/she knows about it (e.g., what happened, implications, aftermath, etc.).
- Evaluate the general well-being of the patient through the observations of the partner (e.g., cognition, functionality, etc.).
- Explain the bodily changes associated with Spinal Cord Injury (e.g., mobility, independence, fertility, marital, etc.).
- Introduce couple counseling to deal with the recent changes in their relationship.
- Highlight the rehabilitation goals and how the partner can participate in the process (e.g., changes in position, environment modification, exercises, etc.). Discuss the flow of the treatment plan (e.g., initial exercises, progressions, transition to outpatient, etc.).
Patient's Role Play Card
Broken Restoration
TOPIC
Broken Restoration
SETTING
Private Dental Clinic
PATIENT
You are a 29-year-old patient with a broken dental filling.
TASK
- Say the filling came out while chewing food about 3–4 days ago.
- Say the tooth feels rough and is sensitive to cold drinks.
- Say there is no constant pain, but food often gets stuck.
- Say the filling was done several years ago and had been fine until now.
- Say you are worried the tooth might decay or crack further.
- Ask whether the filling can be repaired or needs full replacement.
- If reassured and explained clearly, agree to the recommended treatment.
Dentist's Role Play Card
Broken Restoration
TOPIC
Broken Restoration
SETTING
Private Dental Clinic
DENTIST
You see a 29-year-old patient who presents with discomfort from a broken filling in a back tooth. The patient noticed the filling came out while eating a few days ago. Since then, the tooth feels rough and slightly sensitive to cold, but there is no severe pain or swelling. A brief examination shows partial loss of a restoration with exposed tooth structure.
TASK
- Ask about when and how the filling broke, and any symptoms since then.
- Ask about pain, sensitivity, or food trapping, and whether symptoms are getting worse.
- Explore the patient’s concerns and take a brief history of the filling, including when it was placed and whether there were any previous issues.
- Explain, in simple terms, why fillings can break or come out over time.
- Explain why the tooth needs to be repaired promptly and what could happen if it is left untreated.
- Discuss treatment options (repairing or replacing the filling) and the next steps.
- Reassure the patient and check understanding.
Need feedback on your OET Speaking performance? Try an OET Speaking mock test with role play practice and teacher feedback before your exam.
Role play samples with recordings
Asthma (Doctor)
Heart Attack (Doctor)
Immunisation (Doctor)
Nurse
Pneumonia & Catheter Removal (Nurse)
Breast Cancer (Nurse)
Cardiac Catheterisation (Nurse)
Toes (Nurse)
Alzheimer’s (Nurse)
Angina (Nurse)
Bunion Surgery (Nurse)
Catheter Issues (Nurse)
Lifestyle Changes (Nurse)
Patient Not Ready For Pain Killer (Nurse)
OET Speaking FAQs
How long is the OET Speaking sub-test?
The Speaking sub-test takes about 20 minutes and includes two profession-specific role plays of about 5 minutes each.
Is OET Speaking marked by the interlocutor?
No. The role play is recorded and assessed by official OET assessors using the OET Speaking assessment criteria.
Do I need to finish every point on the role play card?
You should try to cover the important points, but communication quality matters. Use the preparation time to decide which points need more explanation, questions or patient reassurance.
Can I write notes on the role play card?
Yes. OET says candidates can make notes on the role play card and refer to it during the role play, but the card must be returned at the end.
What should I practise before the exam?
Practise opening the consultation, asking follow-up questions, showing empathy, explaining medical information simply, checking understanding and closing with a clear plan.
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