Boost Exam Preparation with OET Warm-up Questions and Answers

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As most of you know, the Occupational English Test, or OET, consists of two role plays. But before the first role play, the interlocutor will ask you a few ‘warm-up’ questions.

In some ways, this is the easiest part of the test, because it is not marked. For this reason, you can treat this section as a no-risk environment where you can relax, get comfortable with the interlocutor and practice all those little tips and tricks you have learned in your OET preparation. Think of it as doing ‘stretching’ exercises before running the race!

Listed below are some questions you can expect to hear in this section. Some ‘typical’ answers to these questions are also included, but please note that ‘typical’ answers does not mean correct answers. You can respond to these questions any way you want. You’re not applying for a job! And because this part is not assessed, you can make grammar mistakes, correct yourself, change your answer… it’s all okay.

Read the questions first, and ignore the given answers for the moment. Think about how you would answer them. Then read the given answers. But remember, these are just ‘typical’ answers, not the answers you have to give. Don’t waste your time memorizing them, but if there are some phrases that you think would be useful, note them down.

I’d probably say the ability to listen. Obviously you have to know what you’re doing, but really the most important thing is to just listen to the patient and try to understand. Sometimes you have to listen for what they’re ‘not’ saying as well! That takes skill.

Well, I’m not working as a doctor at the moment because I’ve got to pass the OET first, so I’m just a research assistant. A typical day can vary – it depends what they ask me to do. But at the moment I spend most of my day in the laboratory, testing cultures.

It’s all tough! But I guess the most challenging part is the physical demands the job places on you – especially when it includes night duties and long shifts. I manage this with yoga, meditation and strength training. This also helps with the emotional toll of the job.

Well, it depends! Some are easier to work with than others. But when I’m part of a good team who are focused on giving quality care, yes, I do enjoy it, very much. You can learn a lot from others and they often have a perspective that you would never have thought of yourself. You don’t get that when working alone.

That’s easy. Care-giving is the most important part. You’re there to care for the patient, first and foremost. But there are other things, such as educating and empowering the patient to take care of themselves. It depends on the situation.

Well, I come from a family of nurses. I grew up in that environment, and I knew from a young age that I’d do the same thing. Also – this is embarrassing – but I really liked the uniform!

To be honest, it was my parents’ decision. They said ‘you can become a doctor or an engineer’. I’m no good at maths so engineering was out, so I said ‘doctor’. I admit the first couple of years was hard but I really love it now.

AI, definitely – especially in areas such as diagnostics. The amount of data it can analyse – and the speed at which it can do it – is incredible. We’re going to see some huge advances in the next five years or so.

Probably the most challenging time was when I was working in the children’s ward in a hospital that specialised in cancer treatment. Working in that field really takes its toll, emotionally. It wasn’t the children so much, but their families. I used to come home exhausted.

There have been so many, but probably the one I admire most is my uncle. He was the doctor at our local hospital. He’s the reason I became a doctor myself, actually. When I was a child I used to go around the wards with him and he was so gentle and the patients just loved him. He’s retired now but he’s still my role model.

As soon as I pass, I’ll be able to apply for this research scholarship I’ve been wanting to do. They require a B in OET before they even look at my application.

As you can see from these answers, the tone in the warm-up section is quite casual. Remember also that the interlocutor is not the one who marks you. They’re just there to feed you the lines. If you use this section to relax, establish a friendly rapport and warm up those vocal cords, you’ll be ready for the role plays.