The candidate card
Setting
Cardiology outpatient clinic, UK
Candidate
In this original independent practice role-play, you are a doctor reviewing Mr Venancio Torricelli, aged 58, whose stable angina was diagnosed last month; today's assessment confirms no current chest pain or change in his usual symptom pattern. Earlier today you confirmed that he understands his written GTN dosing instructions and when resolved but changing episodes require urgent GP or NHS 111 advice. He remains frightened of calling an ambulance unnecessarily; his written plan says to call 999 immediately for sudden chest pain or discomfort that does not go away, pain spreading from the chest to an arm, neck, jaw, back or stomach, or chest pain with sweating, sickness, light-headedness or breathlessness, without waiting for further GTN doses, and never to drive himself to hospital. He also avoids everyday activities because of fear, but an individual activity-advice appointment is already arranged; this discussion focuses on recognising emergency warnings, feeling able to seek help and briefly addressing activity avoidance.
Task (interlocutor: patient)
- Find out what he understands about the emergency instructions and what might stop him calling an ambulance
- Explain when to call 999 immediately, using the written warning signs and clarifying that he should not wait for further GTN doses or drive himself
- Address his main worry about seeking emergency help and clarify any misunderstanding about what needing GTN means
- Explore his fear of everyday activity, respond to his avoidance with brief advice and confirm that he will attend his arranged individual activity-advice appointment
- Agree how he will keep the spray and plan accessible, inviting him to restate the immediate emergency instruction and clarifying any uncertainty
In the test you get 3 minutes to read the card and plan, then about 5 minutes to talk. This card is original, written for this site; the interlocutor's card is not shown.
Prepare this card, then say it out loud.
Plan your opening and the tasks below. Keep these notes when you move to the AI role-play.
In this original independent practice role-play, you are a doctor reviewing Mr Venancio Torricelli, aged 58, whose stable angina was diagnosed last month; today's assessment confirms no current chest pain or change in his usual symptom pattern. Earlier today you confirmed that he understands his written GTN dosing instructions and when resolved but changing episodes require urgent GP or NHS 111 advice. He remains frightened of calling an ambulance unnecessarily; his written plan says to call 999 immediately for sudden chest pain or discomfort that does not go away, pain spreading from the chest to an arm, neck, jaw, back or stomach, or chest pain with sweating, sickness, light-headedness or breathlessness, without waiting for further GTN doses, and never to drive himself to hospital. He also avoids everyday activities because of fear, but an individual activity-advice appointment is already arranged; this discussion focuses on recognising emergency warnings, feeling able to seek help and briefly addressing activity avoidance.
Getting your plan ready…
Preparation is free without an account. AI conversation and marking need sign-in; your first role-play is free. Notes are saved on this device when available. This checklist is your plan, not a score.
How to approach this card
- Ask what he understands about calling an ambulance straight away and what might prevent him doing so.
- Use the written warning signs to explain when he should call 999 immediately: sudden chest pain or discomfort that does not go away, pain spreading from the chest to an arm, neck, jaw, back or stomach, or chest pain with sweating, sickness, light-headedness or breathlessness. Clarify that he should not wait for further GTN doses or drive himself.
- Explore his hesitation about seeking help. Reassure him that following the emergency instructions is appropriate even if assessment does not find a heart attack.
- Ask what he understands about the spray's purpose and respond to any misunderstanding he actually expresses. Explain its general role in relieving angina symptoms without promising that future chest pain will be harmless.
- Briefly explore which activities he avoids and why. Explain that suitable activity can be tailored to his symptoms and circumstances, remind him to stop and follow his plan if symptoms occur, and confirm that he will attend the arranged activity-advice appointment.
- Invite him to restate the immediate emergency instruction while referring to the plan. Clarify uncertainty and agree where he will keep the spray and plan.
Phrases to adapt
Use your own words; these show the register, not lines to memorise.
- We can take this a step at a time.
- What worries you most about using the plan?
- What might make you hesitate to call an ambulance?
- Would talking this through again help you feel more prepared?
- Now let's look at when you should call an ambulance straight away.
- What else would you like to know before we finish?
Medical words in plain English
| Term | How you might say it to the patient |
|---|---|
| stable angina | Your diagnosed chest-pain condition, with no change in your usual symptom pattern today. |
| GTN spray | Your prescribed spray for angina symptoms, used under the tongue. |
How this card is marked
Two assessors mark the recording on nine criteria: intelligibility, fluency, appropriateness of language and resources of grammar and expression (each 0–6), then relationship building, understanding and incorporating the patient's perspective, providing structure, information gathering and information giving (each 0–3). See the AI Speaking practice guide for what each criterion looks for.
More Medicine role-play cards
- Recurrent urinary symptoms with negative testing: explain diagnostic uncertainty General practice, UK
- Recurrent falls: explore different acceptable-risk preferences Geriatric outpatient clinic, UK
- Irritable bowel syndrome after assessment: discuss symptom management and safety-netting Gastroenterology clinic, UK
All sets: nurses, doctors, other professions. Your profession's guide: OET Medicine.
Questions about this role-play
What symptom instructions should I cover today?
Focus on the immediate emergency warnings listed on the candidate card, including calling 999 without waiting for further GTN doses and not driving himself. His routine GTN sequence and urgent advice for resolved but changing episodes have already been checked. Revisit those instructions only if uncertainty emerges.
What if he asks for a daily walking target?
Briefly explore his activity fears and acknowledge his wish to regain confidence. Explain that stable angina does not automatically mean stopping all everyday activity, but suitable activity should reflect his symptoms and individual advice. Confirm that he will attend his arranged appointment to discuss this. Remind him to stop, rest and follow his action plan if symptoms occur. Do not invent a duration, distance or progression schedule or guarantee that activity is risk-free; detailed exercise counselling is not required.
How can I check that he understands the action plan?
Invite him to refer to the written plan and explain when he would call an ambulance immediately. Frame this as checking how clearly you have explained the instructions. Confirm that he would not wait for further GTN doses when emergency warning symptoms occur. Clarify any uncertainty; a separate hypothetical scenario or full rehearsal of all help-seeking pathways is not required.
Sources
Last checked . Rules and prices change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
OETAce is an independent practice site. OET is a registered trademark of Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment (CBLA); we are not affiliated with or endorsed by CBLA. All practice material here is original.