New updates and changes to the OET exam have been announced. Starting from 2018 there will be some changes to the format of the exam.
UPDATE AUGUST 2018: We have a new version of this article with detailed information on the new changes. Click here to read it.
The good news is that the test itself will remain largely unchanged and will still focus on reading, writing, listening and speaking however there will be small changes to some of the content that is given.
Starting from September 2018 (registration for tests begins 21 June) the following changes will be made (as per https://www.occupationalenglishtest.org):
- in the Speaking sub-test a wider range of communication skills, more similar to those that you encounter at work, will be assessed
- in the Listening sub-test a broader range of accents will be introduced. The Listening sub-test will also be shorter, feature a broader range of accents and focus more on professional-to-professional interaction e.g. a doctor to doctor conversation. As per the old test, you will still be tested on your ability to follow facts during a consultation and understand a short talk.
- the Reading sub-test will include new task types such as matching, short-answer questions, and a new broader range of documents, such as policy or procedure documents. As per the old test, it will still be relevant for all professions and test your ability to understand texts and source information from multiple texts (‘skim’ and ‘scan’).
- in the Listening and Reading sub-tests, tasks that reflect professional-to-professional communication, such as consulting with a colleague, will be added
- an additional and more detailed scoring scale will be included alongside your A to E results score so that you have a better idea of how you did.
The test will not become easier or more challenging, however the expectation is for the test to become balanced with some of the more unfair obstacles (such as difficult to understand accents) being updated.
Overall, these updates should help students to better understand the test format. You don’t need to change the way that you study for the test however it is important to keep these changes in mind if you plan to take the OET exam later in the year.
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