The candidate card
Setting
General practice, UK
Candidate
This is original independent practice material; you are a female GP seeing Mr Jesse Wesack, aged 35, who reports a painless testicular lump first noticed five days ago. He accepts that it needs examination but requests a male doctor. For this fictional case, the confirmed arrangements are examination by you now or a reserved appointment with a male GP this afternoon; a trained male chaperone is available for either appointment, and the next routine male-GP appointment is next week. No examination or investigation has yet taken place; this conversation is to agree arrangements, not perform the examination.
Task (interlocutor: patient)
- Find out briefly about the lump, any pain or associated symptoms, and what would help him feel comfortable with examination
- Explain why the lump needs assessment without assuming its cause, and outline examination and possible ultrasound
- Explain the confirmed appointment choices and offer a chaperone, privacy and control over whether examination proceeds
- Respond respectfully to his preference and concerns, encouraging timely assessment without pressuring him to accept examination by you
- Agree an acceptable appointment and check his understanding of when new symptoms would require emergency help
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.
This is original independent practice material; you are a female GP seeing Mr Jesse Wesack, aged 35, who reports a painless testicular lump first noticed five days ago. He accepts that it needs examination but requests a male doctor. For this fictional case, the confirmed arrangements are examination by you now or a reserved appointment with a male GP this afternoon; a trained male chaperone is available for either appointment, and the next routine male-GP appointment is next week. No examination or investigation has yet taken place; this conversation is to agree arrangements, not perform the examination.
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
- Start by acknowledging his request so that brief symptom questions do not sound like an attempt to overturn it. Ask what else he has noticed and what would make examination comfortable; explore possible embarrassment or worry without assuming either explains his preference.
- Explain the uncertainty before discussing appointments: being painless does not establish what the lump is. Describe examination as looking and gently feeling, with permission, and ultrasound as a possible next step; avoid reassuring him about a cause before assessment.
- Present the reserved male GP appointment this afternoon alongside examination by you now, before mentioning next week's routine availability. This order makes the timely option matching his preference clear and avoids creating a false choice between accepting you and delaying.
- Separate choosing an appointment from consenting to an intimate examination. Explain privacy, the available trained male chaperone and his ability to decline or stop; a likely concern is losing control, but ask rather than treating that concern as established.
- Close by asking him to describe the agreed arrangement in his own words, then check his understanding of emergency advice. If time is short, prioritise a workable appointment and the complete warning signs over speculative explanations of possible diagnoses.
Model route: what a strong candidate might say
Example lines in a workable order for about 5 minutes: opening, key questions, the patient's concern, explaining, then the close. Use them to plan, not to memorise: the patient's replies are not scripted here, and your next line should follow what they actually say.
1. Opening
- “Hello Mr Wesack, I'm one of the GPs here. Thank you for coming in promptly about this.”
- “Can you tell me about the lump you've noticed and what has brought you in today?”
2. Key questions
- “Is there any pain, swelling or other symptom with the lump, and has anything changed since you noticed it five days ago?”
- “Have you noticed anything else, such as feeling unwell or any change elsewhere?”
- “What would help you feel comfortable about being examined?”
- “Is there anything about the examination you'd like me to explain first?”
3. Handling the patient's concern
Likely concern: He likely feels uncomfortable being examined by a female doctor and may worry about delay or embarrassment.
- “Thank you for telling me, and that's completely reasonable. My aim is to make this as comfortable as possible while making sure you're seen without unnecessary delay.”
- “The choice is yours, and I won't pressure you to be examined by me. Either option can include a trained male chaperone and privacy.”
4. Explaining
- “A new lump in the testicle needs to be checked, and I can't tell you the cause without examining you. An examination comes first, and an ultrasound scan may be arranged afterwards.”
- “You can be examined by me now, or by a male GP this afternoon, with a male chaperone for either. The next routine male GP appointment is next week, so this afternoon is sooner. You stay in control of whether it goes ahead.”
5. Closing
- “So you've chosen your preferred appointment. I'll book it now, and the chaperone will be arranged. Can you tell me what the plan is, so I know I've explained it clearly?”
- “If you get sudden severe pain in the testicle, especially with swelling, redness, sickness or vomiting, or you feel feverish or unwell, go to the emergency department or call 999 and don't wait for your appointment.”
Phrases to adapt
Use your own words; these show the register, not lines to memorise.
- Thank you for telling me your preference.
- You do not need to justify wanting a male doctor.
- Would you like me to explain the examination before you decide?
- What questions are still on your mind?
Medical words in plain English
| Term | How you might say it to the patient |
|---|---|
| testicular lump | A lump in or around a testicle. |
| ultrasound | A scan that uses sound waves to make pictures. |
| chaperone | A trained person present to support you during an intimate examination. |
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
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All sets: nurses, doctors, other professions. Your profession's guide: OET Medicine.
Questions about this role-play
What if he declines both confirmed appointment options?
Ask which part of each arrangement is unacceptable and whether anything within the confirmed options would help. Do not invent another available clinician or promise a different appointment. Explain the importance of assessment, acknowledge his decision and document what was offered and declined.
How should I answer if he asks whether an ultrasound is definitely needed?
Say that no examination or investigation has happened yet, so you cannot confirm that a scan will be needed. Keep the distinction between a possible investigation and an agreed booking clear. Do not promise scan availability, results or a diagnosis during this arrangements conversation.
What emergency advice should accompany the appointment agreement?
Seek emergency care for sudden or severe testicular, lower abdominal or groin pain; sudden testicular swelling; testicular pain with nausea, vomiting or fever; testicular pain accompanied by abdominal pain, regardless of severity, onset or duration; or testicular pain lasting more than an hour or continuing at rest. Go immediately to A&E or call 999 in the UK (000 in Australia). Do not drive yourself or wait for your appointment. Australian guidance, UK guidance. Sources checked 5 November 2026.
How do I encourage timeliness without pushing him toward me?
Present both options neutrally, stating what each means for timing: now with you, or this afternoon with a male GP, versus next week. Say the lump needs prompt assessment, then let him choose. Do not suggest his preference is a problem.
What if he wants to wait for the routine male appointment next week?
Respect that it's his decision, but explain clearly that you would prefer he be seen sooner and that a reserved male-GP slot exists this afternoon. Ask what is stopping him from taking it, and repeat the emergency symptoms to watch for.
Sources
Last checked . Rules and prices change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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