Stamina is really important for Test Day
When we talk about stamina, we tend to think about sports and exercise. For example, how far you can run and how long you can run for. However, what people sometimes don't know is that high-stakes tests like OET demand a high amount of stamina.
Know how long OET Test Day runs for
The test day format is:
There are only breaks between each individual test to collect in completed papers and give out the next papers. You cannot leave the test room at this time.
This is a long time to concentrate in English and, if you are not used to it, it will be a struggle to remain focused the whole time.
Build stamina for your OET Test Day
You can work on and build you stamina before you take OET. The best way to do this is to test yourself in OET test conditions. To do this you will need to:
- Read through OET's Test Regulations so you know what to expect on Test Day
- Recreate test conditions based on 6.0 of the Test Regulations
- Use a stopwatch to measure the length of each sub-test
- Only use stationery you are allowed to bring into the test room
- Follow all the rules and time limits as if it was a real test.
It’s good to practise each sub-test individually and try to improve your skills intensively. It’s also important to practise each sub-test one after each other at least once a week.
Think of yourself as a long-distance runner rather than a sprinter. You need to be able to keep going at the same performance level for the whole time. You don't want to reduce your performance because you are running out of energy and concentration.
Don’t take your stamina for granted; start preparing for long-distance and success right away! For information about studying for OET, make sure you head over to the OET Blog.