OET Medical Vocabulary: Words for Each Sub-test
OET says you don't need specialist knowledge for Listening and Reading. What matters is using common healthcare words accurately. You need to spell them correctly and recognise them in different words. You also need to write them in a formal letter and explain them in plain English to a patient. This guide gives word lists for each of those skills and a simple way to learn new words.
On this page
What vocabulary each sub-test needs
| Sub-test | What matters | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | Spelling words you hear correctly, and recognising when the speaker uses different words from the question. | The question says "stop the medication". The speaker says "come off the tablets". |
| Reading | Copying words exactly in Part A, and recognising paraphrases in Parts B and C. | The text says "discontinue". The correct option says "stop". |
| Writing | Formal verbs and phrases for letters, and turning note-style abbreviations into full words. | "c/o SOB" becomes "reports shortness of breath". |
| Speaking | Everyday words for medical terms, and phrases for empathy and checking understanding. | "Hypertension" becomes "high blood pressure". |
Medical terms and plain English
In Speaking you talk to patients, so plain English matters. In Writing you write to professionals, so the medical term is usually right. Learning both versions together helps in both sub-tests.
| Medical term | Plain English for a patient |
|---|---|
| Hypertension | High blood pressure |
| Myocardial infarction | Heart attack |
| Cerebrovascular accident | Stroke |
| Dyspnoea | Shortness of breath, breathlessness |
| Pyrexia | A fever, a high temperature |
| Oedema | Swelling |
| Haemorrhage | Bleeding |
| Analgesia | Pain relief, painkillers |
| Hypoglycaemia | Low blood sugar |
| Adverse effect | Side effect |
| Benign | Not cancer |
| Malignant | Cancer |
| Prognosis | How the illness is likely to go |
| Contraindicated | Not safe to use in your case |
| Renal | To do with the kidneys |
| Hepatic | To do with the liver |
| Intravenous | Into a vein, through a drip |
| Sutures | Stitches |
| Nil by mouth | Nothing to eat or drink |
| Mobilise | Get up and walk around |
Paraphrases for Listening and Reading
Questions and correct options often use different words from the recording or text. If you know common pairs, you recognise the answer faster. These are some that come up in healthcare English.
| Formal or written | Everyday or spoken |
|---|---|
| Commence | Start |
| Discontinue, cease | Stop, come off |
| Administer | Give |
| Deteriorate | Get worse |
| Improve, resolve | Get better, clear up |
| Prior to | Before |
| Following | After |
| Reduce | Cut down, lower |
| Frequent | Often, a lot |
| Adhere to | Stick to, follow |
Language for letters
OET letters use a small set of formal verbs and phrases again and again. Learn them as complete phrases, with the right preposition.
| What you want to say | Letter phrase |
|---|---|
| Why the patient came | Mr Lee presented with a two-day history of… |
| Admission | She was admitted on 12 March with… |
| Starting a treatment | He was commenced on amoxicillin 500 mg three times daily. |
| How the patient responded | She has responded well to treatment, and her pain has reduced. |
| Current state | He remains independent with all activities of daily living. |
| What is planned | She is due for a follow-up appointment on 4 April. |
| Your request | I would be grateful if you could review her medication. |
| Closing | Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. |
For more letter phrases and a model letter, read our OET Writing guide.
Words to spell correctly
In Reading Part A, a misspelled answer gets no marks. In Listening, you can still lose marks for spelling. These words are common in healthcare English and easy to misspell.
| Correct spelling | A common mistake |
|---|---|
| diarrhoea (or diarrhea) | diarhoea |
| haemorrhage (or hemorrhage) | haemorhage |
| paracetamol | paracetemol |
| cholesterol | cholestrol |
| diabetes | diabetis |
| physiotherapy | phisiotherapy |
| anaesthetic (or anesthetic) | anaestetic |
| oesophagus (or esophagus) | oesophogus |
| pneumonia | neumonia |
| temperature | temprature |
How to learn new words
The most useful words to learn are the ones you missed in your own practice. After each test, note any word you didn't know or spelled wrongly, then use this routine.
A routine for each new word
-
Write it in a phrase
Copy the sentence it appeared in, or a short phrase such as "commenced on insulin". Words are easier to use when you learn what goes with them.
-
Add the other version
Write the plain-English version for a medical term, or the formal version for an everyday word.
-
Use it twice
Write one sentence as it would appear in a letter. Then say one sentence out loud as you would explain it to a patient.
-
Review it after a day, three days and a week
Cover the meaning and test yourself. Move a word to a "known" list once you get it right three times.
Vocabulary checklist for each practice test
- I noted every word I didn't know or spelled wrongly.
- I wrote each new word in a phrase, with its other version.
- I used each new word in one letter sentence and one spoken sentence.
- I reviewed last week's words.
Practise on OET Practice
-
Collect words from your answer review
After Listening and Reading, your result shows each question with your answer and the correct answer. Note any word you missed or misspelled.
Open the exam library -
Use new words in a letter
Write a practice letter and use two or three new letter phrases. Your feedback shows whether they work.
Open Writing practice -
Explain in plain English
In Speaking practice, explain each medical point in everyday words, then listen to your recording to check.
Open Speaking practice
Sources
- OET Reading sub-test (opens in a new tab) — OET (oet.com)
- OET Listening sub-test (opens in a new tab) — OET (oet.com)
- Study skills: assessment criteria (opens in a new tab) — OET (oet.com)
Written by OET Practice team. Last reviewed: 27 October 2026. Read our editorial policy .