These vital ingredients are the basis of success in any exam, especially for a high score. Without them, there will always be disappointment on results day.
Humans tend to want things done quickly and with minimal fuss. This may explain why many people fool themselves into thinking they are ready to take an exam before they are.
To score well in the OET, there needs to be :
- Commit to a plan
- Sound Knowledge of the subtest layouts and time constraints.
- Knowing the marking criteria for each subtest
- Know your strengths and weaknesses
- Good exam technique and
- Some professional guidance to pull it all together.
Commit to A Plan
Without a plan, people tend to coast from topic to topic, picking up some great information but never making much progress. Make sure your study plan has clear and achievable goals, and stick to it.
Sound Knowledge of the Subtests
You can never start studying until you know how long each test takes and what tasks you must complete during each exam.
The marking criteria are the drivers of your study.
The Marking Criteria
So, your English is at C1 level. You are fluent and confident in English.
That doesn’t mean you’re ready to sit the exam. Why not? I hear you ask. Because if you don’t know what the examiners are looking for in their marking, you won’t know the right things to study for the exam. It’s a specialised exam that needs specialised study.
Weaknesses and Strengths
It’s human to want to concentrate on our strengths; it makes us feel good. However, you should work on improving your weaknesses more than you work on your strengths.
It’s a good idea to take the Pulse placement test so you know accurately where your strengths and weaknesses are.
The Pulse takes 30 minutes and indicates where to start studying.
Exam Technique
As mentioned above, the exam is specialised in the medical profession. To succeed well, it’s vital to be familiar with the exam techniques to help you keep up and know precisely what the examiners are looking for. Marking guides are available online, but interpreting can sometimes take effort. That may be when you need a little help.
Professional Guidance
Do you look at all the free OET information available online and wonder why, with all those resources, you haven’t made much progress towards passing the OET?
It’s great to learn from the free material, but eventually, you will need to put everything together to prepare for the exam. But in what order?
Is it more important to learn the exam layout first or the marking criteria?
That’s where a professional tutor comes in. They teach you exam techniques specific to the OET. They guide you in grammar if you’re not quite at C1 level, and they teach you the exam layout.
Hot tip
The exam can be challenging for native speakers, so it’s vital to seek help, at least with the exam technique.
Those are the five vital ingredients of a successful OET campaign. Good luck with your studies and exams, and if you need any help, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I’m here to help.
