Occupational English Test

OET was designed in the late 1980s by Professor Tim McNamara, under the guidance of the Australian National Office for Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR), which administered the test at that time.[4] The test has been researched and developed continuously since then to ensure that it has kept up with current theory and practice in language assessment. This work has been done by the University of Melbourne's Language Testing Research Centre and by Cambridge Assessment English.

Since March 2013 the test has been owned by Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment Trust (CBLA), a venture between Cambridge Assessment English and Box Hill Institute.[5][6]

OET is recognised by regulatory healthcare boards and councils in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, Dubai, Singapore, Namibia and Ukraine. Many organisations, including hospitals, universities and colleges, are using OET as proof of a candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a demanding healthcare environment.[5] In addition, OET is recognised by the Australian Department of Home Affairs and Immigration New Zealand for all visa categories where an English test may be required.[5]

Each recognising organisation determines which grade results mean that candidates meet the language competency standards to function in their profession. A full list of regulatory organisations that accept OET can be seen on the official website.

OET provides a valid and reliable assessment of all four language skills – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking – with an emphasis on communication in medical and health professional settings.

OET comprises four sub-tests:

• Listening (approximately 45 minutes)
• Reading (60 minutes)
• Writing (45 minutes)
• Speaking (approximately 20 minutes).[1]

For each of the four sub-tests that make up OET, candidates receive a numerical score from 0-500 in 10-point increments e.g. 350,360, 370. The numeric score is mapped to a separate letter grade, ranging from A (highest) to E (lowest). There is no overall grade for OET.[9]

OET is available 14 times per year and can be taken at test venues around the world. A full list is available on the official website.

Results are published online approximately 16 business days after the test. Official statements of results are sent out in the post following the release of online results. There is no overall grade – candidates receive separate grades for each sub-test.

Most recognising organisations require candidates to have at least a B grade in each of the four sub-tests and recognise results as valid for up to two years. Most recognising organisations also require that candidates achieve the requisite grades for each sub-test in one sitting. However, candidates should check with the organisation that regulates their profession to confirm current requirements.

The Occupational English Test was plagued with criticism from an Australian Government's Parliamentary Enquiry in 2013.[10] The broader community made negative statements about testing conditions and marking consistency to the Enquiry. One submission claimed that it is possible to get a pass by re-sitting the test multiple times as you will eventually be marked higher after 6 sittings of the OET test.

EXAMPLE OF AN ENGLISH TEST

EXAMINATION QUESTIONS

1.     A) A trip to the ocean can be a relaxing escape from the everyday pressures of life.

B) You should always be careful to avoid overexposure to the sun at the beach.

2.     The four things to look for when one is proofreading are grammar, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization.

3.     A) A cliché is an opinion, phrase or an expression that may have been thought-provoking or striking upon its inception, but lose its original meaning after being overused

B) “It’s just a matter of time before the riots cease.” The president told a reporter.

4.     The two types of prewriting are freewriting and looping.

Freewriting; In this kind of prewriting, a writer has the freedom to write anything. The writer can choose a word, phrase, or sentence depending on a specific topic. Usually, the results of this are unserviceable. Nevertheless, the results enable the writer to select which topic to focus on. The period to write anything is timed; thus, the writer may lack the luxury of time to do it.

Looping: This type of prewriting is done after doing the freewriting. The writer picks a topic from the topics he/she had listed in freewriting and does freewriting on the chosen topic.

5.     a. Preparing for a test

There are four main steps that a student should follow when preparing for a test to get a good grade. First, to prepare for a test, one will have to set goals based on the prior performance, this may include the grade that one wants to get. Next, make an inquiry with the teacher or fellow students on the areas that the test will cover. Then, one will collect all relevant materials that will aid in studying for the test, and this may include class notes and textbooks. Lastly, one will identify the best study strategy that will be productive within the set time, because it is in vain to carry out all the preparation steps without a studying strategy.

6.     c. Drunk driving can be stopped.

There are many strategies that both the federal and state governments should put in place to curb drunk-driving. To stop drunk-driving, the governments should pass drunk-driving laws that regulate alcohol levels in drivers’ body systems while driving. Setting laws may not prove success; there should be sobriety checkpoints with police to ensure drivers adhere to the set-laws. Cars belonging to the convicted drivers should be installed with ignition interlocks; this will prevent the cars from starting if the alcohol level in the drivers’ breath is above the set level. The governments should also create awareness through social media platforms, and this is to inform people about the consequences of drunk-driving, this will persuade them not to drink. Police should be allowed to take away licenses of drivers who are convicted many times, as it will serve as a warning to those who hid the law. Introducing an effective school-based educational program on the dangers of drunk- driving will also play a vital role in bringing up responsible citizens. By following the strategies mentioned above, governments can stop drunk driving without using many resources.

OET is underpinned by over 30 years of research and the test is regularly updated to keep pace with changes in language testing in a healthcare context. There is strong emphasis on the ongoing validity and reliability of the test. Leading language testing academics contribute to the continued development of the test, and subject matter experts are consulted to ensure that tasks are based on a typical workplace situations and the demands of the profession. A full list of research can be seen on the official website

• Official website