OET Medicine - Complete Study Guide

Score Requirements

Note for ECFMG/US IMGs: The 2027 Pathway requires 350 on Listening, Reading, and Speaking, and 300 on Writing (per ECFMG's official requirements). Some other registration bodies (e.g., UK GMC, Australian AMC) may require 350 across all four sub-tests - always check your specific body's requirements.

Sub-test Breakdown and Study Tips

1. Listening (50 minutes) - Target: 350+

• Part A: Two consultations - fill in the gaps in a patient case note form (you hear a doctor-patient interaction)
• Part B: Six short extracts from healthcare settings - one multiple choice question each
• Part C: Two longer presentations/interviews - six multiple choice questions each

• Listen to medical podcasts, BBC Health reports, and clinical discussions daily to build your ear for healthcare English
• Practice with the official OET sample tests under timed conditions
• For Part A, train yourself to write quickly while listening - the case notes format is predictable
• For Part C, read the questions before the recording starts so you know what to listen for
• Focus on understanding speaker purpose and attitude - the questions often test these, not just factual recall

2. Reading (60 minutes) - Target: 350+

• Part A: 4 short texts on a single medical topic - 20 questions (locating information, short answers). Time limit: 15 minutes.
• Part B: 6 short paragraphs from a healthcare workplace context - 6 questions (match the paragraph to its meaning)
• Part C: 2 longer articles - 16 multiple choice questions (8 per article)

• Part A is a speed task - practice scanning quickly across 4 texts simultaneously. The 15-minute limit is tight.
• Read the question first, then hunt for the answer - do not read texts fully before looking at questions
• For Part B, the short paragraphs test your understanding of healthcare policy/professional communication language
• For Part C, read topic sentences of each paragraph first to build a mental map of the article
• Read medical journals (BMJ, The Lancet, NEJM patient-facing articles) regularly to get used to the register and vocabulary

3. Writing (45 minutes) - Target: 300+

• One task: write a referral, transfer, or discharge letter based on handwritten case notes
• Addressed to another healthcare professional (e.g., specialist, physiotherapist, social worker)
• Expected length: 180-200 words

• This is the section most candidates struggle with. Practice writing at least 2-3 letters per week
• Master the standard 5-paragraph structure:
  1. Opening - Who the patient is, why you're writing, diagnosis
  2. Social/Medical Background - Relevant history
  3. Presenting Complaint / Recent Events - What brought them in now
  4. Management so far - Tests, medications, procedures done
  5. Specific Request - What you need the recipient to do
• The assessors look for: clinical appropriateness (right information included/excluded), layout, language, and accuracy - not just grammar
• Practice transforming case note abbreviations into full, professional sentences (e.g., "SOB x 3 days" → "The patient has been experiencing shortness of breath for three days")
• Get your writing assessed - free peer feedback is available on the OET Community forums

4. Speaking (20 minutes) - Target: 350+

• Two role-plays with an interlocutor (who plays the patient/carer)
• 3 minutes preparation per role-play, 5 minutes per role-play
• Scenarios are doctor-patient interactions: taking history, explaining a diagnosis, managing concerns, breaking bad news, counselling

• Practice role-plays out loud with a partner or record yourself - reading about them is not enough
• The assessors score on: intelligibility, fluency, appropriateness of language, resources of grammar/expression, and engagement with the patient
• Do NOT just recite medical information - the test rewards empathy, checking understanding, and natural conversation
• Learn fixed phrases for common scenarios:
  • "I understand this may be difficult to hear..."
  • "Can you tell me a bit more about that?"
  • "Is there anything you're particularly worried about?"
• Practice scenarios like: explaining a new diabetes diagnosis, counselling about medication side effects, discussing a referral, breaking bad news

Study Plan Summary

Best Free Resources

• Official OET website - free sample tests, intro course, and study guide
• Official OET YouTube channel - sub-test walkthroughs and tips from OET examiners
• E2 Language on YouTube - highly rated free OET lessons for all sections
• Matcharesident.com - especially good for IMGs targeting ECFMG/US pathways (guide here)

Key Things to Remember

1. You must pass all 4 sub-tests in one sitting - partial passes do not carry over
2. OET Medicine is profession-specific - all content is clinical, which is both an advantage and requires medical vocabulary preparation
3. Writing is often the hardest sub-test - give it the most practice time
4. Your English communication skills are being tested, not your clinical knowledge - the medical content is kept at a level all doctors understand