The candidate card
Setting
Community clinic (child health / immunisation)
Candidate
You are a child health nurse running an immunisation clinic. Mr Ferdinand Pascual has brought his 12-month-old daughter for her scheduled 12-month vaccines, which include the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. She is healthy, well today and up to date with all her previous vaccines. Before you start, Mr Pascual tells you he has read online that the MMR vaccine is dangerous and he wants to put it off.
Task (interlocutor: parent)
- Find out about Mr Pascual's concerns about the MMR vaccine and where his information has come from
- Explain why the MMR vaccine is recommended at 12 months and the risks of delaying it (seriousness of measles, recent outbreaks)
- Reassure him about the vaccine's safety (e.g. no link with autism, common mild side effects and what to expect)
- Agree a plan for his daughter's vaccination (e.g. vaccinating today or a follow-up appointment soon)
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.
How to approach this card
- Begin by asking what he has read and where, in a curious rather than corrective tone. Do not assume why he is hesitant; ask what worries him most. Let him finish before correcting anything, since early correction can end the conversation.
- Acknowledge that checking information is reasonable, without agreeing that the vaccine is dangerous. Then address his specific points rather than reciting a general script. Describe his sources neutrally instead of criticising particular websites.
- Put delay in context: measles is serious, there have been recent outbreaks, and she is due now and well today. Keep it factual, avoid scare language and do not quote figures you cannot verify.
- Give safety reassurance in two parts: state clearly that there is no link with autism, then describe the common mild reactions and what to expect afterwards. Give the clinic's full written after-vaccination advice rather than a partial list of warning signs.
- Offer options that keep her protected: vaccinating today, or a definite follow-up soon. If he still declines, do not pressure him; leave the door open, document it and book soon. If time is short, prioritise his concern, safety reassurance and a plan.
Phrases to adapt
Use your own words; these show the register, not lines to memorise.
- It makes sense to check information before vaccinating. Which part worried you most?
- Thank you for telling me before we started. What did you read, and where?
- I will not rush you. Would you like to go through what to expect afterwards?
- What would help you feel comfortable making a decision today?
Medical words in plain English
| Term | How you might say it to the patient |
|---|---|
| MMR | One vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella. |
| outbreak | When an infection spreads to a number of people in the community. |
| immunisation | Having a vaccine so the body can learn to fight a germ before meeting it. |
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). Grade B usually means 5 on each language criterion and 2 on each clinical one. See the AI Speaking practice guide for what each criterion looks for.
More Nursing role-play cards
- Home visit: older man embarrassed by his new urinary catheter Home visit (community nursing)
- Ward: husband alarmed by his wife's sudden confusion Hospital ward (medical)
- Emergency: young woman who does not plan to carry her adrenaline autoinjector Emergency department
All sets: nurses, doctors, other professions. Your profession's guide: OET Nursing.
Questions about this role-play
He says the internet told him it is dangerous. Should I argue?
No. Ask which claim worries him, then answer that one specifically. Debating a website makes people defend it. Going through his points one at a time shows respect while you give accurate information, including that there is no link with autism.
What if he still wants to delay after my explanation?
Check what is stopping him today, restate that she is well and due, and offer a definite follow-up date soon rather than an open-ended wait. Respect his decision, record it, and give him a way to contact you with further questions.
How do I explain side effects without frightening him?
Describe the common reactions as usually mild, then give the clinic's standard written advice, including when to seek help, in full. Do not give a partial list from memory. Ask him to repeat back what he would do.
Sources
Last checked 22 Oct 2026. 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.