OET Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield OET facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which behaviour best builds rapport at the start of a consultation? → Greeting the patient by name and introducing yourself
2. When notes contain conflicting or repeated information, the writer should: → Select the most current and clinically relevant version
3. At a staff training day, you hear two trainee doctors participating in an activity. What does the activity give practice in? → prioritising patients
4. A doctor advises, "Cut back on salt, but there's no need to eliminate it entirely." What is the recommendation? → Reduce salt intake
5. What is the main reading focus of Part B questions? → Identifying the main point or purpose of the text
6. You hear a dietitian discussing a patient's. What exactly is she up to? → addressing the patient's obesity misunderstanding
7. Which habit slows down skimming and should be avoided? → Subvocalizing every word
8. What is the primary purpose of the writing section in the OET? → To assess the ability to write professional medical letters
9. A patient with Type 2 diabetes is discharged after a hypoglycemic episode. Which aspect is MOST important to emphasize in the discharge letter to the GP? → The circumstances triggering hypoglycemia and any medication adjustments made
10. You hear a nurse calling a patient's condition with a doctor. What made the registrar think the patient was seriously ill? → Abnormal vital signs were reported
11. A patient becomes tearful when you explain a new diabetes diagnosis. What is the most appropriate immediate response in an OET role-play? → Acknowledge their emotion and pause before continuing
12. When deciding which case notes to include in an OET referral letter, what is the single most important factor? → The relevance to the recipient and purpose of the letter
13. When writing case-note data into a referral letter, what should a nurse do with abbreviations? → Expand them into full words for clarity
14. How should patient information from the case notes generally be presented in the letter? → Transformed into full, cohesive sentences
15. A patient refuses recommended treatment. What is the best communication strategy? → Explore their concerns and provide balanced information
16. Effective skimming in Part A primarily supports OET candidates by: → Helping them manage the strict time limit
17. What does appropriate use of silence achieve in a patient consultation? → It gives the patient space to process emotions and gather their thoughts.
18. In OET Listening, how many parts make up the sub-test? → Three (A, B and C)
19. An OET letter to a GP for follow-up should prioritise notes about: → Ongoing management, monitoring needs, and follow-up actions
20. The main request of a referral letter should be expressed using what kind of language? → Polite, clear request phrasing such as 'I would appreciate your assessment'
21. What is the primary focus of the speaking section in the OET? → To assess communication skills in a healthcare setting
22. A patient says, "I'm allergic to penicillin, and I think shellfish bothers me too, but I'm not certain." Which allergy is the patient sure about? → Penicillin
23. Which response best confirms a shared plan at the end of the consultation? → So we've agreed you'll start the new medication and return in two weeks
24. What is the main purpose of the listening section in the Occupational English Test? → To assess comprehension of spoken English in healthcare contexts
25. Which phrase best expresses a referral request concisely? → I am writing to refer Mr Jones for further assessment.
26. A patient says they want to bring their partner into all decisions. The best response is to: → Welcome their wish to involve their partner and ask how they'd like that to work.
27. Which listening strategy helps most when the OET short extract contains unfamiliar medical vocabulary? → Use context clues to infer meaning without stopping the audio
28. Why is checking the patient's understanding ('teach-back') valuable for rapport? → It confirms they've grasped the plan and shows you care that they understand.
29. Which sentence best transitions from patient background to the current presenting problem? → 'Mr Jones now presents with...'
30. Part C texts most often resemble which genre? → Magazine or journal-style articles on healthcare issues