Shajahan Jan 25, 2024
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Entrance Tips

OET at Home: Everything You Need To Know

Are you planning to take up an OET test? Has the COVID19 pandemic severely affected your lives with travel bans and restrictions? If you prefer to stay at home and attend the test, here is OET at Home for you!

What is OET at Home? 

  • OET at Home is the newest mode of OET test delivery where you can take up the test from your own home. We know you will have several confusions regarding the home version of the OET test. Here in this blog, you will get to know everything about the new OET test delivery.

Apart from OET on Paper at a Test Venue and OET on Computer at a Test Venue, OET@home gives you the convenience to be in your comfort zone to take your exam. However, there are no changes in the exam pattern, format and objectives in any of the tests. The assessment and level of difficulty will also remain the same irrespective of the mode of the exam you choose. 

Check Out: Why Healthcare Professionals prefer OET?

Do’s and Don'ts For Your OET Test at Home

To get ready for your OET test at home, you must ensure several things are in place. You should know where to sit and what to have with you & what not to have with you. Ensure that you follow the below guidelines:

Do’s for OET at Home

  • Choose a quiet place where there are no other people and distractions
  • Set up a workplace with a table and chair and not on a bed
  • Your testing location must be indoors (walled)
  • Your testing location must be well lit

 

Dont’s for OET at Home

  • No other people or pets must be in the room. You must be alone.
  • Your desk or table must be free of books, notes, electronic gadgets and mugs
  • Do not use a dual monitor while attending your exam

Exam Instructions for Your OET at Home

The Following Table lists the things you must be aware while attending OET;

You Must Have You Must Not Have
ID Proof : Make sure that you present the same ID you used when you booked your test. Bags, boxes or pencil case
Your computer with a webcam and an uninterrupted Internet Connection. Do not keep watch, mobile phone, camera or any other electronic devices on your table
A clear plastic bottle of water, with no label and no lid. Dictionaries or any other books.
A medium to a large mirror (e.g. 30cm x 30cm) for the environment check and remote proctoring. This is to enable students to write an exam in a remote location and maintain the exam’s integrity. Correction fluid or correction tape
A wired headset or earphones for Listening, Reading and Writing test. Ensure your earphones are not Bluetooth connected. Do not use your Headset/ earphones for your Speaking Test.
Blank paper and pencil so you can make notes during the Speaking test. Paper/notepad, Pens or pencils for other tests except Speaking test.

 

How to Take Your OET Test at Home?

  • The Listening, Reading and Writing sub-tests will be delivered together in one test sitting via Prometric’s Pro-Proctor system.  The test will be in the order of Listening- Reading - Writing.
  • The Speaking test will be delivered separately via Zoom video call.

All You Need to Know About OET Sub-tests

As we already know, there are 4 subtests in the OET exam. Neither format, objectives, assessment nor the difficulty of the exam will have any changes from that of other OET exam delivery modes. If you are preparing for an OET test, this is the right time to advance your English skills to take up your OET exam from home. Read below to get more information about all the sub-tests in OET@home. 

OET Reading 

The Reading subtest is one of the four subtests. Here are the guidelines you must remember while taking your OET Reading test. 

  • Your Reading test consists of three parts
  • The test will have a total of 42 question items. 
  • The time for Part A is 15 minutes
  • The time allotted for Part B and C is 45 minutes

While you attend your exam, ensure that you scroll down to view the full texts in the PDF Viewer for Reading Parts A and C. Also keep your answers short - just a word or short phrase for Part A of the Reading test.

OET Writing

The Writing subtest is another subtest. Here are the guidelines you must remember while taking your OET Writing test. 

  • The writing sub-test will have tasks about healthcare scenarios and specific to your profession.
  • This sub-test will have 45 minutes  
  • Spelling, punctuation and grammar are aspects included under Language.

Ensure that you scroll down to view the full text of the case notes in the PDF viewer. The writing format, assessment and the level of difficulty will be the same as that of other modes of OET exam delivery. 

OET Listening

Your OET listening part has a section where you have to listen to conversations between people. People from different countries can speak. Since there are several OET-accepted countries, you must know various accents to understand what the audio is about. If you are in the UAE and planning to take up an OET test, an OET course in Dubai or OET Course in Sharjah can prepare you for the exam.

  • The Listening sub-test consists of tasks with real-life healthcare situations and workplace conversations.
  • The Listening sub-test is divided into 5 sections (each task is one section) 
  • There will be a total of 42 question items based on general healthcare topics
  • OET gives you only a single chance to hear the recording
  • At the end of the sub-test, you will get 2 minutes to recheck the answers

OET Speaking 

Speaking test is one important subtest that you must focus on and prepare to get qualified.  Here are the guidelines you must remember while taking your OET Speaking test. 

  • The role-plays are based on typical workplace situations and health care professional situations. 
  • Focus on your pronunciation, intonation and accent 
  • Make your conversations clear to your listener 
  • Speaking sub-test will be carried out with a human interlocutor via video conferencing software (Zoom video call).
  • There will be live human involvement and role-play nature in the OET Speaking sub-test.
  • The OET Speaking sub-test takes around 20 minutes 
  • The test consists of two role plays.

Candidates can check with OET speaking Assessment Criteria Glossary to understand the speaking criteria and the points the examiner evaluates. Complete your higher secondary education with NIOS Course.

How to Check-In for Your OET Online Test at Home?

Here is the step-by-step guidelines for you to check in your OET at Home. 

  1. Get Started
    On the day of your test, go to the Prometric ProProctor site at rpcandidate.prometric.com/Home/. Launch your test 15 minutes before your scheduled test time. Enter your confirmation number and the first four letters of your last name.
  1. Image Capture
    The first step is to capture the image of your face. Position your face and click the CAPTURE button. Make sure that your image is clear and not blurry at all. 
  1. Present your ID
    Position your ID and capture it. Ensure that you present the same document you used when booking OET. Use the guides on the screen and click the CAPTURE button. Make sure that the ID you capture is clear and readable. 
  1. Checklist
    There will be a checklist on the screen. Read it and ensure that you have met all the requirements.  After you have read it all, click PROCEED. When you click Proceed, the Prometric Readiness Agent will appear on-screen.
  1. Security Checks
    There will be 3 security checks. Your Prometric Readiness Agent will help you through these 3 checks. Wait for your Agent to help you. 
  1. Candidate Detail Confirmation
    You will now have to confirm with you your name, ID details, address and test details via live video chat. Don’t worry. Your Readiness Agent will help you in these security checks.  
  1. 360° Environment Check
    Now you will have to show them a 360° view of your environment. This view must include your computer screen, keyboard and your work surface, using your webcam. You should also be ready to remove items or make other changes to ensure that your environment is ready for your OET test at home. You must ensure that your workspace is clean and clear.
  2. Candidate Check
    Finally, your Readiness Agent will check you. Now you will have to stand up to do a scan. They will scan your sleeve, pocket and glasses. Ensure that you do not wear any large jewellery during the test. Tie up your hair properly and do not attach anything to your ear. You can also take a water bottle, but it must not have any lids or labels.

About Your Proctor

  • You will not see your Proctor during the Listening, Reading and Writing subtests. But your Proctor will be monitoring you throughout the test.
  •  The Proctor will be available to help you if any issues arise at any point during the test.
  •  The LIVE PROCTOR feature on the right of your screen can be enabled to speak or send messages to the Proctor for any required help.

What If Your Internet Drops Out During Your OET Test at Home?

As you already know, OET is a globally recognised exam that holds its credential and recognition. So, you must be careful about your internet connection while you attend the exam. In case if your Internet connection drops out during the test, your answers from the previous sections will be saved. But when your connection gets ready again, you will need to do a security check again and restart the test section that you were answering at the moment of your internet drop. Incase if your Internet drops out for more than 20 minutes, your test will end and you will not be able to continue your exam.

NB: (OET is currently taking a short pause with OET tests on the computer (at test venues and home). Keep updated with the official page of OET to know the launching date for OET testing on the computer (at the venue and home). Please note that OET on paper at test venues continues to be available globally.)

English Trainer

Shajahan is a graduate in English language and literature, who is passionate about teaching and making his students successful by efficient teaching methods in all components of language. As a trainer, he is responsible for developing linguistic ability and enhancing English competency level for professionals especially those who are in the healthcare domain who undertake English proficiency tests such as OET and IELTS for working or studying in native English-speaking countries.

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