How to Pass OET: A Surgery Nurse’s Journey from B1 to a Job Offer in Ireland

Introduction

In this interview, Kadria, a surgery nurse from Turkey, explains how she built her English from B1, switched to OET from IELTS, overcame an initial exam failure, and ultimately earned a hospital job offer in Ireland. Her story shows what to focus on: vocabulary, daily exposure, exam choice, and a resilient mindset. If you want to follow the same path, check out our OET preparation products.

From IELTS to OET: Choosing the Right Exam

Kadria began by considering IELTS but pivoted to OET on a teacher’s advice. OET’s clinical focus matched her nursing background and gave her a clearer path to success.

“OET is special for healthcare professions… it was logical to switch.”

Build General English First (Aim for B1)

She emphasises reaching B1 before OET prep: grammar basics, core structures, and high-frequency vocabulary. For a structured start, try our free OET Key Skills course.

Vocabulary for OET

OET is about recognising and using vocabulary at the right time. Kadria kept daily notes, organised terms by skill, and drilled paraphrase recognition.

• Collect: Extract 10–15 phrases after each class/mock.
• Organise: File by skill (Reading, Listening, Writing, etc.).
• Rehearse: Same-day rewrite + next-day review + weekly test.
• Drill: Map each word to 3–5 paraphrases.

Study Load & Daily Exposure

In the final months, she averaged ~6 hours/day using classes, self-study, podcasts, and medical TV series. Massive input built automaticity and paraphrase recognition.

Paper vs Computer: The Attempt That Changed Everything

Her first paper-based attempt failed. Switching to computer-based OET made typing and editing easier, leading to success.

Mindset: Plan for Setbacks and Don’t Quit

“Be ready that it may take two attempts… Don’t give up.”

She budgeted time and money for 2 attempts, kept momentum after setbacks, and relied on family support to protect study time.

Interview & Job Outcome

After multiple attempts and steady study, she interviewed twice for the same Irish hospital and received a job offer.

Step-by-Step Plan You Can Follow

1. Decide exam → choose OET if in healthcare.
2. Reach B1 with an 8–12 week burst.
3. Build a vocabulary system.
4. Add daily exposure (classes + media, ~6h/day).
5. Analyse mocks, focus on paraphrases.
6. Choose computer-based if typing is faster.
7. Plan for two attempts.
8. Prepare for interviews with clear nursing scenarios and explanations.

FAQ

Is B1 enough to start OET?
Yes — it’s the minimum for effective OET prep.

Should I choose computer-based or paper-based OET?
If you type faster and want easier editing, choose computer-based.

How many hours should I study?
In the final stretch, aim for several hours daily — ~6 hours worked well here.

What if I fail the first time?
Normal. Plan for 2 attempts and keep momentum afterwards.

Pull Quotes

“OET is about vocabulary—recognising paraphrases is key.”

“Computer-based OET made Writing much easier for me.”

“Treat it like a life priority and don’t give up.”