1. Use the first 30 seconds well
Greet, give your name and role, confirm the patient, explain why you're there, and ask permission. It sets up relationship building for the whole role-play.
2. Ask what worries them before you explain
"What's worrying you most about…?" The patient's perspective criterion is the one nurses skip most, and it often separates C+ from B.
3. Make empathy specific
Instead of repeating "I understand", name what they said: "It sounds like the pain is really worrying you." Then pause and let them talk.
Try a nurse role-play freeScored on the OET Speaking criteria in about 14 seconds · no card · 6 free role-plays, up to 3 a day
4. Chunk and check
Give one piece of information, then check: "Does that make sense so far?" Long speeches lose information giving marks, even when every word is correct.
5. Signpost
"First the medication, then the follow-up." Providing structure is easy marks: the patient always knows where the conversation is going.
6. Swap jargon for plain words
"High blood pressure", not "hypertension"; "walk around", not "mobilise". This lifts appropriateness of language.
7. Have three rescue lines for a blank moment
Each one earns marks while you find your next point.
Practise out loud, a lot
Speaking improves with repetitions, not reading. Record yourself, listen back, and focus on one criterion at a time. Most nurses are surprised how little the "patient" gets to speak.
Try a nurse role-play freeScored on the OET Speaking criteria in about 14 seconds · no card · 6 free role-plays, up to 3 a day
Frequently asked questions
Why am I stuck at C+ in OET Speaking?
Usually because the clinical communication criteria are under-used: not exploring the patient's concerns, giving information in long speeches, or not structuring the conversation. Language is often already good enough.
How can I improve OET Speaking quickly?
Practise full role-plays out loud with feedback against the criteria, focusing on one weak criterion at a time. Recording yourself and listening back is the fastest self-check.
Does accent affect the OET Speaking score?
Accent itself is not penalised. What matters is intelligibility: whether the listener can follow you easily, which depends on clarity, stress and pace.
Is How You Talk an official OET score?
No. How You Talk gives a practice score against the published OET Speaking criteria, with specific feedback. Only a trained OET examiner awards an official grade.