OET Speaking Sample Role-Play for Medicine: A Worked Example With Analysis

A practice OET-style role-play for doctors, with a model structure, sample phrases and a checklist of what examiners look for. Created by HighYield, not an official OET task.

This is an original, OET-style role-play created for practice. It is not an official OET task. Use it to understand how a good role-play is structured and to practise aloud.

The Role Card (You Are the Doctor)

Setting: GP clinic.
Patient: Mr Ahmed, 58, who has recently been diagnosed with high blood pressure.
Task: Find out how he is managing his new medication. Explain why taking it every day matters, even if he feels well. Advise him on lifestyle changes. Answer his questions.

A Model Structure

Stage	What to do	Example language
Opening	Greet, introduce, set the agenda	"Hello Mr Ahmed, I'm Dr Khan. I'd like to talk about how you are getting on with your new tablet. Is that all right?"
Information gathering	Ask open questions, then focused ones	"How have you been finding the tablet?" / "Have you missed any doses?"
Patient's perspective	Ask about worries and understanding	"Is there anything about the treatment that worries you?"
Explanation	Give information in small chunks	"High blood pressure often has no symptoms, which is why the tablet matters even when you feel well."
Advice	Practical, specific	"I'd suggest reducing salt, walking for 30 minutes most days, and checking your blood pressure at home."
Checking understanding	Invite questions, summarise	"What will you do if you forget a dose?"
Closing	Summarise, safety-net, follow-up	"Please come back in two weeks, or sooner if you feel dizzy or faint."

A Sample Exchange

Patient: I stopped the tablet for two days. I felt fine, so I thought I didn't need it.
Doctor: Thank you for telling me honestly. Many people feel the same. High blood pressure usually doesn't cause symptoms, so you can feel well even when it is high. The tablet protects your heart and blood vessels over time, so it's best to take it every day. Would it help if we linked it to something you do each morning, like breakfast?

What Examiners Look For

Language: clear, fluent speech, suitable tone, accurate grammar.
Clinical communication: building a relationship, understanding the patient's perspective, structuring the conversation, gathering information and giving information.

Self-Check After You Practise

Did I explain without jargon?
Did I ask about the patient's feelings or worries?
Did I check understanding?
Did I speak at a steady pace and not rush?
Did I finish with a clear summary and follow-up?

Next, read the OET Speaking guide and use the phrases in our OET vocabulary guide.

Practise With Real-Format Tests

OET Practice on HighYield has full-length Listening and Reading tests in the real format, Writing letters with model answers and Speaking role-plays. Try the free Listening test to see how it works. The Speaking section lets you practise role-plays with a recording and a model reply.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is each OET Speaking role-play?

Each role-play is about five minutes, with preparation time beforehand. The whole Speaking test is about 20 minutes.

Is this an official OET role-play?

No. It is an original practice scenario written by HighYield in the OET style.

What makes a high-scoring OET role-play?

Clear structure, plain-language explanations, empathy, checking understanding and a clear ending.

Do nurses use the same role-play style?

The skills are the same, but the scenarios are written for nursing. Practise with nursing situations such as discharge advice.