Monthly Archives: March 2025

Introduction

The Occupational English Test (OET) Listening section is an essential component for healthcare professionals seeking to work in an English-speaking environment. Many candidates struggle with this section due to common mistakes that impact their scores. Understanding how the test is assessed, recognizing frequent errors, and implementing effective strategies can help candidates improve their performance significantly. In this blog, we will explore the assessment criteria, common mistakes, expert tips for improvement, and self-assessment methods to help test-takers achieve better results.

How Listening is Assessed in OET

The OET Listening section evaluates a candidate’s ability to understand spoken English in a healthcare context. The test consists of three parts:

Part A

Tests note-taking skills during a patient-professional consultation.

Part B

Assesses the ability to comprehend short workplace conversations.

Part C

Evaluates understanding of professional presentations or interviews.

Candidates must demonstrate their ability to identify key details, follow conversations accurately, and understand structural cues like transitions and signposts.

Common Errors in OET Listening

Many test-takers lose marks due to avoidable mistakes. Below are some of the most common errors:

Lack of Focus During Listening

Candidates often get distracted and fail to catch essential details. Maintaining full concentration is key.

Misinterpreting the Question

Some candidates listen to the entire conversation but fail to answer correctly because they focus on irrelevant details instead of what is being asked.

Overthinking Missed Answers

Getting stuck on a missed question can disrupt the ability to follow the rest of the audio. It’s better to move on rather than panic.

Ignoring Structural Language and Signposts

Key phrases like “however,” “therefore,” and “in conclusion” provide crucial context, but many candidates overlook them.

Wasting Time Correcting Mistakes

Erasing and rewriting answers while listening can cause candidates to miss more information. It’s best to make corrections at the end.

Ineffective Use of Review Time

The two-minute review time in Part C is an opportunity to check and refine answers, yet many candidates fail to utilize it properly.

Stress and Anxiety

Excessive nervousness can impact comprehension, leading to mistakes that could have been avoided with a calm approach.

Tips to Improve OET Listening Scores

Stay Fully Focused

Pay close attention to every detail and avoid distractions throughout the test.

Answer What is Asked

Listen carefully to the question and extract only the relevant details from the audio.

Let Go of Missed Answers

If you miss an answer, don’t dwell on it. Move on to the next question to avoid compounding errors.

Recognize Key Structural Cues

Signposts such as “firstly,” “on the other hand,” and “to summarize” help in understanding the organization of the conversation.

Use Review Time Wisely

Go through your answers in the last two minutes to identify and fix mistakes.

Maintain a Calm Mindset

Practice mindfulness techniques to stay composed during the test.

How Khaira Education Supports OET Candidates

Khaira Education provides structured training and resources to help students improve their OET Listening scores. Some of the benefits include:

Live and Recorded Lessons

Students can attend live sessions and review recorded lessons if they miss any.

Mock Tests and Trainer Feedback

Taking mock tests and receiving expert feedback helps identify weak areas and improve performance.

Weekly Skill Lessons and Podcasts

Regular skill-based lessons and listening to podcasts improve comprehension skills.

Reviewing Past Tests

Analyzing previous test performances helps in identifying patterns of mistakes and working on them.

Maintaining a Vocabulary Notebook

Keeping track of difficult words and their meanings helps in better understanding conversations.

Self-Assessment Using Feedback Forms

Candidates can use an Interactive Feedback Form to evaluate their listening and reading performance. This tool helps in:

• Identifying recurring mistakes.
• Tracking progress over time.
• Developing personalized strategies for improvement.

The interactive feedback form is now available to students at Khaira Education centres.

Recommended OET Preparation Books by Gurleen Khaira

• OET Speaking Skills Pocket Book
• Nurses’ Guide to the Updated OET 2.0
• OET Speaking and Writing Made Easy for Nurses

Conclusion

Improving OET Listening scores requires awareness of common errors, practicing targeted strategies, and consistent self-assessment. By following expert advice and taking advantage of structured learning resources, candidates can enhance their listening skills and perform better on the test. Avoiding distractions, using review time wisely, and staying calm are key to success. With the right preparation and guidance from Khaira Education, test-takers can achieve their desired OET scores and advance in their healthcare careers.

For expert guidance and structured training, connect with Khaira Education today!