Linguistic criteria (each out of 6)
- Intelligibility
- Fluency
- Appropriateness of Language
- Resources of Grammar and Expression
OET Medicine Speaking
OET Speaking Role-Play Cards for Doctors (With Model Answers)
These OET Speaking role-play cards for doctors give you two realistic practice consultations, a model role-play with notes on what earns marks, useful phrases for each stage and the mistakes that cost doctors a B. Prepare for 3 minutes, speak for 5, then compare.
20 minApproximate length of the Speaking sub-test
3 minPreparation time for each role-play card
2Profession-specific role-plays, about 5 minutes each
How does OET Speaking work for doctors?
The Speaking sub-test is the same format for every profession, but the role-plays are written for your profession. In OET Medicine you play yourself as a doctor, usually in a consultation with a patient or a relative.
Timing: about 20 minutes
The Speaking sub-test takes about 20 minutes in total. It opens with a short warm-up conversation, which is not assessed.
Two role-plays
You complete two profession-specific role-plays. For each one you get 3 minutes to prepare from your card, and the role-play itself lasts about 5 minutes.
The interlocutor
The interlocutor plays the patient, a relative or a carer from their own card. They may be anxious, reluctant or upset, so you have to respond to them, not recite a script.
Two assessors
Your performance is recorded and assessed by two assessors against four linguistic criteria and five clinical communication criteria.
How is OET Speaking marked?
Two sets of criteria are used. The linguistic criteria look at how you speak; the clinical communication criteria look at how you manage the conversation with the patient.
Clinical communication criteria (each out of 3)
- Relationship-building
- Understanding and incorporating the patient's perspective
- Providing structure
- Information-gathering
- Information-giving
What Grade B looks like
OET states that Grade B means predominantly scores of 5 out of 6 on each linguistic criterion and 2 out of 3 on the clinical communication criteria. Source: OET Speaking guide.
Two OET Medicine role-play cards to practise
Each card has two halves: the candidate card you would see in the test and the interlocutor card the examiner uses. Read only the candidate card first, prepare for 3 minutes and ask a partner to play the patient.
Card 1: Explaining a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes
Candidate card
Setting: General practice
Doctor. Mr Daniel Price, aged 52, has come back to discuss his blood test results, which show type 2 diabetes. He seems worried.
Task:
- Find out what the patient already knows and what is worrying him.
- Explain the diagnosis in simple terms.
- Outline the treatment plan: lifestyle changes, starting metformin and regular checks.
- Respond to his fear about complications.
- Arrange follow-up and refer him to a diabetes education course.
Interlocutor card
Setting: General practice
Patient. You are 52 and came back for your blood test results. Your father had diabetes and lost part of his foot, so you are very worried. You eat out a lot for work.
Task:
- Say that you have been worrying about the results.
- When the diagnosis is explained, ask whether you will end up like your father.
- Say that changing your diet will be hard because you eat out for work.
- Accept the plan if the doctor explains it clearly and reassures you.
Card 2: Patient asking for antibiotics for a sore throat
Candidate card
Setting: General practice
Doctor. Ms Laura Bennett, aged 29, a primary school teacher, has had a sore throat for three days. Your examination suggests a viral infection, and antibiotics are not indicated. She is asking for antibiotics.
Task:
- Find out about her symptoms and what she is hoping for from the appointment.
- Explain that the infection is most likely viral and why antibiotics will not help.
- Suggest ways to relieve the symptoms at home.
- Explain which symptoms mean she should come back or seek urgent help.
- Respond to her concern about missing work.
Interlocutor card
Setting: General practice
Patient. You are a 29-year-old teacher with a sore throat for three days. Last year a different doctor gave you antibiotics and you got better quickly. You have an important school event next week.
Task:
- Ask directly for antibiotics so that you can get back to work.
- Mention that antibiotics worked last time.
- Show some frustration if you feel you are not being listened to.
- Agree to the plan if the doctor explains the reasons and what to watch for.
Practice material written by OET with Dr Hesham. It is not an official OET test card.
Model role-play: explaining a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes
This is a condensed model performance for Card 1. Notice how the doctor explores the patient's fear before explaining, signposts the plan in three parts and checks understanding before closing.
Doctor: Hello, Mr Price. I'm Dr Patel. Thank you for coming back to discuss your blood test results. How have you been since we last met?
Patient: Fine, but I've been worrying about these results, to be honest.
Doctor: I can understand that. Before I go through them, could you tell me what you already know about why we did the tests?
Patient: You said my sugar might be high. My dad had diabetes. He ended up losing part of his foot, so I've been dreading this.
Doctor: I'm sorry to hear about your father; that must make this feel very frightening. I'll explain the results, and then we can talk about what we can do so that your experience is different. Is that all right?
Patient: Yes, go on.
Doctor: The blood test measures your average sugar level over the past two to three months. Yours is in the range that means you have type 2 diabetes. In simple terms, your body isn't using insulin, the hormone that controls sugar, as well as it should, so sugar builds up in the blood.
Patient: So I'll end up like my dad?
Doctor: That's a very understandable fear. We usually find diabetes earlier now, and treatment has improved a lot. Keeping your sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol under control greatly lowers the risk of problems with the feet, eyes and kidneys. Can I ask how much you knew about your father's treatment?
Patient: Not much. He didn't really go to his check-ups.
Doctor: That's helpful to know, because regular check-ups are one of the most important parts of the plan. There are three parts: lifestyle, medication and monitoring. Shall I go through each one?
Patient: Please.
Doctor: First, lifestyle: small changes to your diet, such as cutting down on sugary drinks and portion sizes, and being more active, for example a brisk walk most days. Losing even a little weight can make a real difference. How do you feel about those changes?
Patient: I could probably walk more. Food is harder; I eat out a lot for work.
Doctor: That's very common. I'd like to refer you to a free diabetes education course, where you'll get practical tips, including on eating out. Second, medication: I'd suggest starting a tablet called metformin, which helps your body use insulin better. It can upset the stomach at first, so we start with a low dose taken with food.
Patient: OK. And the monitoring?
Doctor: Every year you'll have checks of your eyes, feet and kidneys, as well as regular blood tests with the practice nurse. These catch problems early, before they become serious. Could you tell me in your own words what the plan is, so I know I've explained it clearly?
Patient: Walk more, change my diet, start metformin with food, go on the course and come to every check-up.
Doctor: That's exactly it. I'll book you in with the practice nurse in two weeks to see how you're getting on with the tablets. Is there anything else you'd like to ask?
Patient: No, that's much clearer. Thank you, doctor.
Practice material written by OET with Dr Hesham. It is not an official OET test card. Each tag shows the clinical communication criterion a move supports.
Useful phrases for OET Medicine role-plays
Learn these as building blocks, not as a script. Adapt the wording to the patient in front of you.
Opening and rapport
- Hello, my name is … and I'm … . How would you like me to call you?
- Is it all right if we talk about … today?
- Before we start, is there anything you'd particularly like to cover?
Gathering information
- Could you tell me a bit more about …?
- What do you already know about …?
- How has this been affecting your day-to-day life?
Explaining in lay language
- In simple terms, this means …
- Let me explain what that involves.
- The main thing to remember is …
Responding to concerns
- That's completely understandable.
- It sounds as though you're worried about … . Is that right?
- I can see why you'd feel that way. Let's look at what we can do.
Checking understanding
- Just so I know I've explained it clearly, could you tell me how you'll …?
- Does that make sense so far?
- Is there anything you'd like me to go over again?
Closing
- So, to sum up: …
- Do you have any other questions?
- If you notice …, please contact … straight away.
Common mistakes doctors make in OET Speaking
These are the habits that most often pull a role-play below Grade B.
- Explaining the diagnosis before finding out what the patient knows, fears or expects.
- Using medical terms such as "HbA1c", "glycaemic control" or "self-limiting" without explaining them.
- Responding to a request such as "Can I have antibiotics?" with a flat refusal instead of exploring the reason behind it.
- Delivering a long monologue, so the patient has little chance to respond or ask questions.
- Missing an emotional cue, such as a family history the patient is clearly worried about.
- Running out of time before safety-netting or arranging follow-up.
- Closing without checking understanding or summarising the plan.
How should you practise with these cards?
Use Card 1 to study the model and Card 2 to test yourself. Card 2 is a classic negotiation task: the aim is a shared plan, not winning the argument.
- Set a timer for 3 minutes and plan Card 2 before you read any model answer: decide how you will open, which questions you will ask and how you will close.
- Ask a friend or colleague to read the interlocutor card and react naturally, including the emotional cue.
- Record yourself for 5 minutes, then listen back against the two sets of criteria. Mark where you checked understanding and where you responded to a concern.
- Repeat the same card a day later with a different reaction from your partner, so you practise responding rather than memorising.
OET Medicine Speaking FAQ
More exam questions are answered on the full OET FAQ page.
How long is each OET Speaking role-play for doctors?
Each role-play lasts about 5 minutes after 3 minutes of preparation. The whole Speaking sub-test takes about 20 minutes, including a short warm-up that is not assessed.
Are these official OET Medicine role-play cards?
No. They are practice cards written by OET with Dr Hesham in the style of the test. Official sample tests are available from OET.
Do I need medical knowledge to pass OET Speaking?
OET Speaking assesses communication, not clinical knowledge. Your medical background helps you understand the scenario, but marks come from how you build rapport, structure the conversation, gather and give information and respond to the patient.
What Speaking score do doctors need?
It depends on the regulator. The GMC asks for B (350) in all four sub-tests, ECFMG asks for 350 in Speaking, and Ahpra asks for 360 for tests taken from 23 April 2026. Check the OET score requirements guide for your regulator.
Next step
Practise your medicine role-plays with live feedback
A private 1:1 Speaking session covers different OET cards and ends with detailed feedback on what to change before the real test.