The candidate card
Setting
Veterinary clinic
Candidate
You are a veterinarian. Mr Farai Rinaldi, aged 68, has brought back his 11-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat, who is overweight. Blood and urine tests have confirmed diabetes mellitus, and the cat is otherwise bright and eating well. You have recommended twice-daily insulin injections, but Mr Rinaldi has told the receptionist he 'could never stick a needle in' his cat.
Task (interlocutor: owner)
- Find out Mr Rinaldi's concerns about giving injections and his home situation (daily routine, any help available)
- Explain in simple terms what diabetes means for his cat and why twice-daily insulin is needed
- Reassure him about giving injections (fine needles, injection under the skin, practical support from the clinic)
- Explain the warning signs of low blood sugar and what to do
- Agree a plan for starting treatment and follow-up
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
- Open by asking what worries him about injections and what his day looks like, including whether anyone can help. His fear is the barrier, so exploring it first lets you target your reassurance and plan.
- Explain diabetes in a few plain sentences, then why insulin is given twice daily. Keep it practical and avoid a physiology lecture; he needs to understand enough to see why treatment matters and why routine matters.
- Reassure with specifics, not just comfort: fine needles, injection under the skin, and the clinic showing him and supporting him. Offer to let him practise with you. The trap is saying it is easy; acknowledge it is daunting.
- Cover low blood sugar as a complete, clear set (see the FAQ), because insulin is the cause and an owner who only hears injections will miss this. Check he can repeat the signs and what to do.
- If time is short, prioritise why insulin is needed, a supported first injection, and the low blood sugar signs. Close by agreeing when treatment starts, who he can phone, and a booked follow-up.
Phrases to adapt
Use your own words; these show the register, not lines to memorise.
- Lots of people feel exactly like that before their first injection.
- Who is at home who could help you with the routine?
- I will show you how, and you can practise here with me first.
- Can you tell me which signs would make you phone us straight away?
Medical words in plain English
| Term | How you might say it to the patient |
|---|---|
| diabetes mellitus | Your cat's body cannot control sugar in the blood properly, so insulin is needed. |
| subcutaneous injection | A small injection just under the loose skin, not into muscle. |
| hypoglycaemia | Blood sugar that has dropped too low, which can make the cat unwell. |
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 Veterinary Science role-play cards
- Rabbit with gastrointestinal stasis needing admission Veterinary clinic
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- Exercise restriction after cruciate ligament surgery Veterinary clinic
All sets: nurses, doctors, other professions. Your profession's guide: OET Veterinary Science.
Questions about this role-play
What low blood sugar advice should I give, completely?
Signs include weakness, wobbliness, trembling, odd behaviour, seizures or collapse. Give no more insulin until the vet advises. If alert and swallowing, offer food. If not seizing and safe to do so, smear a little glucose syrup or honey on the gums; never pour liquid in or force food. Do not put fingers in a seizing cat's mouth. Call the vet immediately; drowsiness, seizures or collapse need emergency treatment.
What if he still says he cannot do it?
Explore what exactly frightens him, then offer practice at the clinic with support and ask whether anyone at home could help. Agree a review soon after starting. Do not promise it will be easy; offer support and a check on how it is going.
How much should I say about the cat being overweight?
The card gives weight only as a description, so mention it gently if relevant, without blame. Keep the main focus on diabetes, insulin and the injection plan, and say you can discuss other aspects of care at the follow-up.
Sources
Last checked 22 Oct 2026. Rules and prices change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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