OET SPEAKING CRITERIA | The Ultimate tips for GATHERING information

Gathering Information in the OET Speaking Exam

Jo from Specialist Language Courses explains how to perform well in the OET information-gathering criterion. Candidates should show that they listen attentively, ask suitable questions, clarify uncertainty, and check their understanding of the patient’s answers.

Key techniques

Use active listening

• Listen carefully and give brief feedback, such as “Uh-huh,” “I see,” or “Okay.”
• Avoid unnecessary interruptions.
• Acknowledge the patient’s feelings when appropriate. For example: “It must have been quite a shock.”

Ask open questions first

Open questions let patients describe events and concerns in their own words. Examples include:

• “Can you tell me a little bit about how it happened?”
• “Could you tell me about your diet?”
• “Would you mind telling me more about your pain?”

Follow up with closed questions

Once the patient has explained their experience, ask focused questions to obtain specific details. Examples include:

• “Can you rate your pain from 0 to 10?”
• “Does anything relieve the pain?”
• “Have you taken any medication?”
• “Have you noticed anything which triggers your asthma?”

Avoid compound questions

A compound question asks two things at once, which can confuse the patient or cause information to be missed. Instead of asking about exercise and diet in one question, ask about each separately.

Avoid leading questions

Leading questions suggest or steer the patient toward a particular answer. Keep questions open and neutral.

• Instead of “So would you say you don’t do much exercise?”, ask: “Can you tell me about how much exercise you do?”
• Instead of suggesting that symptoms are worsening or describing the pain for the patient, ask: “Have you noticed any other changes in your symptoms?” or “How would you describe the pain?”

Clarify when something is unclear

Do not be afraid to ask for clarification; it helps prevent misunderstandings. Useful phrases include:

• “I would just like to check that I have understood correctly…”
• “This is the first time that this has happened, is that right?”
• “Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that. Could you tell me again…?”

Summarise the patient’s information

Briefly restate important details to confirm your understanding and invite the patient to correct or add information.

For example: “So, just to check, you have some concerns about healing and scarring, is that right?”

Summaries can also help identify the patient’s main concern and lead into the next question.

Preparation tips

• Practise listening to effective interviews and role plays to observe active listening and summarising.
• Practise using open and closed questions appropriately, while avoiding compound and leading questions.
• Build a bank of useful phrases for politely interrupting and asking for clarification.
• During preparation time, mark on the role card where you might ask questions and what kind would be appropriate.
• Use sample OET role-play videos to study natural language in healthcare interactions.

Speakers and sources featured

• Jo — presenter from Specialist Language Courses.
• Nurse and patient — speakers in the illustrative role-play examples; no names are given.
• Matthew Smith’s YouTube channel — recommended as a resource featuring trainee GP role plays.