Speaking: Format and What Happens on Test Day

The Speaking sub-test is profession-specific. Doctors play a doctor; nurses play a nurse. The other person — the interlocutor — plays a patient, parent or carer.

Structure (about 20 minutes)

Stage	Time	Assessed?
ID check + warm-up questions about your background	~3–4 min	No
Role play 1: preparation with the role card	~3 min	No
Role play 1: conversation	~5 min	Yes
Role play 2: preparation	~3 min	No
Role play 2: conversation	~5 min	Yes

The interlocutor

• Follows their own role card (which you don't see) — it may tell them to be worried, reluctant or annoyed.
• Does not mark you. The recording is assessed later by trained OET assessors.
• Signals when time is up if the role play hasn't ended naturally.

Rules you should know

• You can make notes on the role card and refer to it during the role play. Return it at the end.
• During preparation, you can ask the interlocutor to clarify anything on the card (e.g., Have I met this patient before?).
• You start the role play. Don't wait for the interlocutor.
• There