OET speaking practice for nurses and doctors

The OET speaking sub-test is a role-play: you are the nurse, doctor, or other health professional, and the interlocutor is the patient or carer. You are marked on more than grammar — on how you build rapport, explain clearly, reassure, and check that the patient understands.

Airi plays the patient so you can rehearse the whole consultation out loud. Ask her to be anxious, confused, reluctant, or in pain, and practice gathering information, explaining a diagnosis or treatment, and calming worries in plain, clear English. Daily role-plays build the calm, patient-centred delivery OET rewards.

A quick example with Airi

I'm your patient. I'm worried about this new medication — will it have side effects?

I understand your concern. This medication is safe, but some people feel a little dizzy in the first days.

Small fix: "in the first few days." Good reassurance. So should I stop if I feel dizzy?

No, please do not stop suddenly. If the dizziness is strong, contact us and we will adjust the dose.

That's clear, thank you. I feel calmer about taking it now. Is there anything I should avoid while I'm on it?

Try a conversation like this, free600 free credits, about 8 minutes of speaking. No card.

OET Speaking test format: two role-plays in about 20 minutes

According to OET (oet.com), the Speaking sub-test takes about 20 minutes and consists of two role-plays written for your own profession. The interlocutor is a real person: in the room at a paper-based test, or on a video call when Speaking is taken at home.

Stage and OET's timing	What happens
ID check and warm-up: about 2–3 minutes	The interlocutor checks your ID and asks a few questions to help you relax. This part is not assessed.
Preparation: 3 minutes	Read the role card and make notes. You may ask the interlocutor what a word means or how to pronounce it, but not how to complete the task.
Role-play 1: 5 minutes	The interlocutor asks you to start, and you can still see the card. OET says role-plays usually reach a natural end at around five minutes; if yours has not, the interlocutor stops you.
Preparation and role-play 2: 3 + 5 minutes	A new card and a new scenario, with the same timings.

The interlocutor does not assess you. OET says the role-plays are recorded and assessed later by at least two trained assessors, who score the two role-plays only: not the ID check, the warm-up or anything you say while preparing.

What OET assessors score: the nine Speaking criteria

OET's Test Handbook lists four linguistic criteria, each marked out of 6, and five clinical communication criteria, each marked out of 3. Its Graded Speaking Samples booklet says test-takers who secure grade B will have scored 5 out of 6 on the linguistic criteria and 2 out of 3 on the clinical communication ones; OET's Speaking guide words it as "predominantly" those scores. The right-hand column below summarizes OET's published level descriptors and criteria glossary.

Criterion	What assessors listen for
Intelligibility	Clear sounds, word stress, intonation and rhythm. An accent is expected; what counts is whether it strains the listener
Fluency	A normal, even pace, without disruptive false starts, heavy use of fillers or needless repetition
Appropriateness of language	Lay terms for technical matters, and a register and tone that suit this patient
Resources of grammar and expression	Grammar and vocabulary that are varied and accurate enough to keep your meaning clear
Relationship building	A greeting and introduction, a respectful and non-judgmental attitude, and empathy
Understanding and incorporating the patient's perspective	Asking about ideas, concerns and expectations, picking up cues, and tying your explanation to them
Providing structure	A logical order, a clear signal when the topic changes, and explanations in organized chunks
Information gathering	Listening without interrupting, open questions before closed ones, no compound or leading questions, and a summary
Information giving	Finding out what the patient already knows, pausing, inviting reactions, checking understanding, and asking what else they need

Completing every task is not a criterion: OET advises covering as much of the card as you can and not panicking if you miss some. The tasks are printed in an order that makes a logical conversation; OET recommends following it but does not require it. You don't need to know every condition either: OET says the card gives you enough information to carry out the task.

Phrases for each stage of an OET role-play

The moment	Say
Opening: a first meeting, which OET says to assume unless the card says otherwise	Good morning. I'm Lina, one of the nurses here. What would you like me to call you?
Opening: a patient you know	Thanks for waiting, Sam. Your results are back. Can we go through them together?
Finding out what they know	What have you been told about the operation so far?
Picking up a cue	You mentioned you live alone. How do you feel about managing the stairs?
Changing topic	That's helpful, thank you. Now I'd like to explain how the treatment works.
After a piece of information	I'll stop there for a moment. How does that sound so far?
A reluctant patient	I can hear this isn't what you were hoping for. What would make it easier?
Checking understanding by asking the patient to say it back, which OET's criteria glossary calls more effective than a yes/no check	Just so I know I've explained it clearly, could you tell me how you'll take the tablets?
Closing	To sum up: rest for a week, use a heat pack, and come back if it gets worse. What questions do you have?

Mistakes OET assessors point out in Speaking role-plays

Each point below comes from OET's Graded Speaking Samples booklet, in which assessors comment on real candidates' role-plays, or from OET's Speaking assessment criteria glossary. Some of the example lines are tidied up or written by us to show the point.

Instead of	Try	Why
The same memorized opening for every card	An opening that fits this card's setting and patient	The booklet warns that assessors can tell when a learned template does not match the role card.
Does it hurt more when you sit or when you walk, when you're active or when you're still?	When do you notice it most?	An assessor flags a question like this as a compound question. The glossary says these confuse the patient about what information is wanted. Ask one open question, then narrow down.
You've lost weight, haven't you?	Has your weight changed recently?	The glossary gives this as a leading question: it contains an assumption that is hard for the patient to contradict.
No, the week off is necessary.	I know how much you enjoy the class. A week off now should let you go back safely.	One assessor notes a patient's concerns being "somewhat dismissed"; another praises a candidate who acknowledged the worry before explaining further.
Do you follow what I'm saying?	How does that sound to you?	An assessor suggests exactly this swap, to give the patient a chance to respond.

An eight-minute OET role-play rehearsal with Airi

Your free credits cover about eight minutes of speaking: one five-minute role-play and a second try at the opening. Airi plays the patient but does not rate you against the OET criteria. Bring a role card from OET's free sample tests, or use the invented patients below.

Prepare. Take three minutes, as in the test. OET suggests thinking about how the patient might feel, what they expect to discuss, which medical terms to avoid, and which tasks need the most time.
Set the scene. "Let's do an OET role-play. You are Maria, 58, newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and frightened of injections. I'm your nurse. Stay in character, and let me speak first."
Lead for five minutes. Set a timer, introduce yourself, find out what she already knows, explain, and ask how it sounds to her.
Add pressure. "Interrupt me with a new worry halfway through."
Repeat the fix. When a small fix appears, say the corrected sentence aloud, then carry on in role.
Check yourself. Afterwards, go down the nine criteria above. Did you ask what she already knew, signal each change of topic, pick up her worry, and ask her to say the plan back?
Switch cards next time. "Now I'm the doctor. Be Tom, 45, who doesn't see why he should cut down on alcohol."

How to get the most from it

Build rapport first

Acknowledge the patient's feelings before explaining. Practice the empathy phrases out loud.

Explain in plain English

Avoid jargon. Rehearse explaining conditions and treatments in simple, clear sentences.

Check understanding

End with "Does that make sense?" or "Would you like me to go over anything again?" Drill it.

Start speaking today

Your first 600 credits are free — no credit card. Sign in and have your first conversation with Airi.

Start free with Google

Frequently asked questions

Can Airi play different patients?

Yes. Ask her to be anxious, angry, confused, or a worried carer, and she will respond in character so you can practice handling each.

Is this official OET preparation?

No. Airi is an independent AI speaking partner and is not affiliated with or endorsed by OET or CBLA. She does not rate your role-play against the OET criteria or tell you what grade you would get.

Which professions can practice?

Any: nurses, doctors, dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists and others. Tell Airi your role and she adapts the scenario. OET itself is available for 12 healthcare professions, and its two role-plays are specific to yours.

How long is the OET Speaking test?

OET says the Speaking sub-test takes about 20 minutes: a warm-up of two to three minutes that is not assessed, then two role-plays of five minutes each, with three minutes to prepare before each one.

Does the interlocutor decide my OET Speaking grade?

No. OET states that the interlocutor does not assess you: your role-plays are recorded and assessed later by at least two trained OET assessors, who use the nine Speaking criteria.

How much OET practice fits in the free credits?

You get 600 free credits when you sign up with Google, about eight minutes of speaking. That covers one five-minute role-play and a second attempt at your opening. After that there are one-off credit packs from USD 5, with no subscription.

Last updated: 2026-10-03