Use the list for listening, then spelling
Learn a word’s sound, meaning and written form together. Seeing a familiar term on a screen is easier than retrieving it while a patient keeps speaking. Cover the first column, read the plain-English cue and write the term from memory. Then listen to it in a consultation and check whether you can recognise the same word without the cue. Keep your own error list short enough to revisit after a day.
The error column gives illustrative spelling traps, not acceptable answer variants. The source profession notes explain regional forms, plurals and easily confused terms. For example, dysphagia means difficulty swallowing, whereas dysphasia relates to language; myocardial infarction is a heart attack, while “infraction” is the wrong word. Standard US forms such as edema, diarrhea and fiber should not be added to an error list merely because the preferred column here uses British spelling.
Start spelling drills Try the free Listening Part A test
Jump to a profession: Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Dietetics, Optometry, Podiatry, Radiography, Speech Pathology, Veterinary Science.
Nursing vocabulary
Nursing role-play, letter and original spelling notes
On a small screen, swipe the table sideways to read the meaning and spelling example.
| Correct spelling | Plain-English meaning | Example misspelling | Part A study topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| haemorrhage | heavy bleeding | haemorrage | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| oedema | swelling caused by fluid in tissues | oedma | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| diarrhoea | frequent loose or watery stools | diarhoea | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| dyspnoea | shortness of breath | dysponea | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| catheterisation | putting a catheter tube into the body | catheterisaton | Procedures and equipment |
| sphygmomanometer | an instrument used to measure blood pressure | sphygmomanometre | Procedures and equipment |
| paediatric | relating to children’s healthcare | paediatic | People and care settings |
| anaesthetic | a medicine used to prevent pain during a procedure | anaestetic | Medicines and treatment |
| pressure injury | skin or tissue damage caused by sustained pressure | presure injury | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| nil by mouth | instructions to take no food or drink by mouth | nill by mouth | Daily care and function |
Medicine vocabulary
Medicine role-play, letter and original spelling notes
On a small screen, swipe the table sideways to read the meaning and spelling example.
| Correct spelling | Plain-English meaning | Example misspelling | Part A study topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| oesophagus | the tube carrying food from the mouth to the stomach | oesophagous | Anatomy and examination |
| haematuria | blood in the urine | haematurea | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| ischaemia | reduced blood supply to part of the body | ischaemea | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| anaemia | a lack of enough healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin | anaemea | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| colonoscopy | a camera examination inside the large bowel | colonoscoppy | Procedures and equipment |
| dysphagia | difficulty swallowing | dysphagea | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| gastro-oesophageal reflux | stomach contents flowing back into the oesophagus | gastro-oesophagel reflux | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| myocardial infarction | a heart attack | myocardial infraction | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| haemoptysis | coughing up blood | haemoptisis | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| tachycardia | a fast heart rate | tachicardia | Symptoms and diagnoses |
Dentistry vocabulary
Dentistry role-play, letter and original spelling notes
On a small screen, swipe the table sideways to read the meaning and spelling example.
| Correct spelling | Plain-English meaning | Example misspelling | Part A study topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| gingivitis | inflammation of the gums | gingivitus | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| periodontitis | gum disease affecting the tissues supporting teeth | periodontitus | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| caries | tooth decay | carries | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| mandible | the lower jaw | mandabel | Anatomy and examination |
| maxilla | the upper jaw | maxila | Anatomy and examination |
| occlusion | the way upper and lower teeth meet | oclusion | Anatomy and examination |
| abscess | a collection of pus | abcess | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| leukoplakia | a white patch in the mouth that does not rub off | leucoplakea | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| bruxism | grinding or clenching the teeth | bruxizm | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| fissure sealant | a coating protecting grooves in teeth | fisure sealant | Medicines and treatment |
Pharmacy vocabulary
Pharmacy role-play, letter and original spelling notes
On a small screen, swipe the table sideways to read the meaning and spelling example.
| Correct spelling | Plain-English meaning | Example misspelling | Part A study topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| contraindication | a reason a treatment should not be used | contraindacation | Medicines and treatment |
| adherence | following an agreed medicine or treatment plan | adherance | Medicines and treatment |
| interaction | a change in a medicine’s effect caused by another substance | interraction | Medicines and treatment |
| corticosteroid | a type of steroid medicine | cortico steroid | Medicines and treatment |
| anticoagulant | a medicine that reduces blood clotting | anticoagulent | Medicines and treatment |
| nephrotoxic | harmful to the kidneys | nephrotoxik | Medicines and treatment |
| over-the-counter | available without a prescription | over-the-countr | Medicines and treatment |
| dose administration aid | a pack or device organising medicine doses | dose adminstration aid | Procedures and equipment |
| paracetamol | a medicine used for pain and fever | paracetemol | Medicines and treatment |
| inhaler technique | the way a person uses an inhaler device | inhaler technque | Medicines and treatment |
Physiotherapy vocabulary
Physiotherapy role-play, letter and original spelling notes
On a small screen, swipe the table sideways to read the meaning and spelling example.
| Correct spelling | Plain-English meaning | Example misspelling | Part A study topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| physiotherapist | a professional helping people improve movement and function | physiotherpist | People and care settings |
| proprioception | the sense of the position and movement of body parts | propriaception | Anatomy and examination |
| range of motion | how far a joint can move | range of moton | Anatomy and examination |
| flexion | bending a joint | flection | Anatomy and examination |
| extension | straightening a joint | extention | Anatomy and examination |
| quadriceps | the muscle group at the front of the thigh | quadraceps | Anatomy and examination |
| hamstrings | the muscles at the back of the thigh | ham strings | Anatomy and examination |
| ligament | a band of tissue connecting bone to bone | ligement | Anatomy and examination |
| sciatica | pain associated with irritation of the sciatic nerve | siatica | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| rehabilitation | support and treatment to restore function | rehabiliation | Daily care and function |
Occupational Therapy vocabulary
Occupational Therapy role-play, letter and original spelling notes
On a small screen, swipe the table sideways to read the meaning and spelling example.
| Correct spelling | Plain-English meaning | Example misspelling | Part A study topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| activities of daily living | everyday personal care tasks such as washing and dressing | activities of daily liveing | Daily care and function |
| dexterity | skill in using the hands | dexterety | Daily care and function |
| cognition | thinking and other mental processes | cogniton | Daily care and function |
| hemiplegia | paralysis affecting one side of the body | hemiplegea | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| commode | a portable toilet chair | comode | Procedures and equipment |
| grab rail | a fixed rail used for support | grab rale | Procedures and equipment |
| wheelchair | a chair with wheels used for mobility | wheelchare | Procedures and equipment |
| ergonomic | designed to reduce physical strain during use | erganomic | Daily care and function |
| perceptual | relating to how sensory information is interpreted | perceptuel | Daily care and function |
| fatigue management | ways to plan activity and conserve energy | fatique management | Daily care and function |
Dietetics vocabulary
Dietetics role-play, letter and original spelling notes
On a small screen, swipe the table sideways to read the meaning and spelling example.
| Correct spelling | Plain-English meaning | Example misspelling | Part A study topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| dietitian | a professional advising on diet and nutrition | dietitien | People and care settings |
| coeliac | relating to the immune condition triggered by gluten | coeleac | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| gluten | a protein found in wheat, barley and rye | glutton | Medicines and treatment |
| malnutrition | a harmful imbalance or lack of nutrients | malnutriton | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| carbohydrate | a nutrient group including sugars and starches | carbohydrite | Medicines and treatment |
| glycaemic | relating to blood glucose | glycaemik | Anatomy and examination |
| fibre | plant material in food that is not fully digested | fibere | Medicines and treatment |
| gestational diabetes | diabetes first identified during pregnancy | gestational diabetis | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| cholesterol | a fatty substance found in the blood and body cells | cholestrol | Anatomy and examination |
| enteral feeding | feeding into the digestive tract, usually through a tube | entral feeding | Medicines and treatment |
Optometry vocabulary
Optometry role-play, letter and original spelling notes
On a small screen, swipe the table sideways to read the meaning and spelling example.
| Correct spelling | Plain-English meaning | Example misspelling | Part A study topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| ophthalmologist | a doctor specialising in eye disease and surgery | opthalmologist | People and care settings |
| intraocular pressure | pressure inside the eye | intraoccular pressure | Anatomy and examination |
| glaucoma | an eye condition involving damage to the optic nerve | glaucomea | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| cataract | clouding of the lens of the eye | cateract | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| macula | the central part of the retina | maculla | Anatomy and examination |
| retina | the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye | retinna | Anatomy and examination |
| astigmatism | uneven focusing associated with the shape of the eye | astigmatizm | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| presbyopia | age-related difficulty focusing on near objects | presbiopia | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| diplopia | double vision | diplopea | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| visual acuity | a measure of how clearly a person sees | visual accuity | Anatomy and examination |
Podiatry vocabulary
Podiatry role-play, letter and original spelling notes
On a small screen, swipe the table sideways to read the meaning and spelling example.
| Correct spelling | Plain-English meaning | Example misspelling | Part A study topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| callus | an area of thickened skin | callous | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| orthoses | supports or devices used to improve position or function | orthosies | Procedures and equipment |
| plantar fasciitis | a painful condition affecting tissue along the sole of the foot | plantar fascitis | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| neuropathy | nerve damage or dysfunction | neuropethy | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| metatarsal | relating to the long bones of the foot | metatarsel | Anatomy and examination |
| ulceration | the formation or presence of an ulcer | ulseration | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| onychomycosis | a fungal infection of a nail | onychomicosis | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| ingrown toenail | a nail edge growing into the surrounding skin | ingrown to nail | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| Achilles tendinopathy | a condition affecting the Achilles tendon | Achilles tendonopathy | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| debridement | removal of dead or damaged tissue | debreedment | Procedures and equipment |
Radiography vocabulary
Radiography role-play, letter and original spelling notes
On a small screen, swipe the table sideways to read the meaning and spelling example.
| Correct spelling | Plain-English meaning | Example misspelling | Part A study topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| radiographer | a professional who produces medical images | radiograhper | People and care settings |
| contrast medium | a substance used to make structures clearer on imaging | contrast meduim | Medicines and treatment |
| claustrophobia | fear of enclosed spaces | clostrophobia | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| gadolinium | an element used in some MRI contrast agents | gadolinum | Medicines and treatment |
| ionising radiation | radiation able to remove electrons from atoms | ionising radation | Procedures and equipment |
| extravasation | fluid leaking from a blood vessel into surrounding tissue | extravisation | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| fluoroscopy | imaging using real-time X-rays | flouroscopy | Procedures and equipment |
| ultrasound | imaging using high-frequency sound waves | ultra sound | Procedures and equipment |
| mammography | X-ray imaging of the breast | mamography | Procedures and equipment |
| cannula | a small tube placed into the body, often into a vein | canula | Procedures and equipment |
Speech Pathology vocabulary
Speech Pathology role-play, letter and original spelling notes
On a small screen, swipe the table sideways to read the meaning and spelling example.
| Correct spelling | Plain-English meaning | Example misspelling | Part A study topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| dysphagia | difficulty swallowing | dysphagea | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| aspiration | food, fluid or other material entering the airway | asperation | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| aphasia | a language disorder caused by damage to the brain | aphasea | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| dysarthria | difficulty producing clear speech because of muscle control problems | dysartria | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| stuttering | speech interrupted by repetitions or blocks | stutering | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| articulation | the production of speech sounds | articulaton | Anatomy and examination |
| mildly thick fluids | fluids at level 2 of the IDDSI thickness framework | mildy thick fluids | Medicines and treatment |
| audiologist | a professional who assesses hearing | audiologest | People and care settings |
| tracheostomy | an opening made into the windpipe | tracheostomyy | Procedures and equipment |
| laryngeal | relating to the larynx or voice box | larynjeal | Anatomy and examination |
Veterinary Science vocabulary
Veterinary Science role-play, letter and original spelling notes
On a small screen, swipe the table sideways to read the meaning and spelling example.
| Correct spelling | Plain-English meaning | Example misspelling | Part A study topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| anaesthesia | loss of sensation used during a procedure | anaestesia | Medicines and treatment |
| desexing | surgery to prevent an animal from reproducing | dessexing | Procedures and equipment |
| spay | surgery removing a female animal’s reproductive organs | spaye | Procedures and equipment |
| castration | removal of the testes | castrasion | Procedures and equipment |
| hyperthyroidism | an overactive thyroid gland | hyperthyrodism | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| vaccination | giving a vaccine to help protect against disease | vacination | Medicines and treatment |
| parvovirus | a virus that can cause severe intestinal illness in dogs | parvo virus | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| heartworm | a parasitic worm transmitted by mosquitoes | heart worm | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| tick paralysis | paralysis caused by toxins from some ticks | tick paralisis | Symptoms and diagnoses |
| periodontal disease | disease affecting the gums and supporting tissues of teeth | peridontal disease | Symptoms and diagnoses |
Review by Listening Part A topic
These are study categories, not an official syllabus. A consultation can cross several categories, and Listening and Reading are shared across professions. A pharmacist may therefore need to recognise a mobility aid, and a physiotherapist may hear medicine names. Use the topic groups to predict whether a gap needs a symptom, an anatomical term, a treatment or a piece of equipment.
Symptoms and diagnoses
haemorrhage, oedema, diarrhoea, dyspnoea, pressure injury, haematuria, ischaemia, anaemia, dysphagia, gastro-oesophageal reflux, myocardial infarction, haemoptysis, tachycardia, gingivitis, periodontitis, caries, abscess, leukoplakia, bruxism, sciatica, hemiplegia, coeliac, malnutrition, gestational diabetes, glaucoma, cataract, astigmatism, presbyopia, diplopia, callus, plantar fasciitis, neuropathy, ulceration, onychomycosis, ingrown toenail, Achilles tendinopathy, claustrophobia, extravasation, aspiration, aphasia, dysarthria, stuttering, hyperthyroidism, parvovirus, heartworm, tick paralysis, periodontal disease
Procedures and equipment
catheterisation, sphygmomanometer, colonoscopy, dose administration aid, commode, grab rail, wheelchair, orthoses, debridement, ionising radiation, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, mammography, cannula, tracheostomy, desexing, spay, castration
People and care settings
paediatric, physiotherapist, dietitian, ophthalmologist, radiographer, audiologist
Medicines and treatment
anaesthetic, fissure sealant, contraindication, adherence, interaction, corticosteroid, anticoagulant, nephrotoxic, over-the-counter, paracetamol, inhaler technique, gluten, carbohydrate, fibre, enteral feeding, contrast medium, gadolinium, mildly thick fluids, anaesthesia, vaccination
Daily care and function
nil by mouth, rehabilitation, activities of daily living, dexterity, cognition, ergonomic, perceptual, fatigue management
Anatomy and examination
oesophagus, mandible, maxilla, occlusion, proprioception, range of motion, flexion, extension, quadriceps, hamstrings, ligament, glycaemic, cholesterol, intraocular pressure, macula, retina, visual acuity, metatarsal, articulation, laryngeal
A practical review routine
Choose ten terms relevant to a consultation you have just practised. Say each aloud, hide it, write it and check every letter. Mark the exact error, such as a missing second n in cannula or a transposed vowel in fluoroscopy. On the next pass, listen without pausing and return to missed terms after the extract. Repeating a test after seeing its key is useful revision; use a fresh full test when estimating progress.
Continue with medical spelling dictation, the spelling lesson, free Reading Part A or practice plans. A vocabulary list supports accuracy but does not replace timed listening or a complete four-skill score profile.
Questions candidates ask
What vocabulary should I learn for OET Listening Part A?
Practise recording symptoms, diagnoses, medicines, procedures, equipment and daily-care details. Read the note heading first to predict the kind of word needed, then write the words you hear.
Are American spellings mistakes in OET?
Do not treat standard regional spellings as invented errors. This list keeps the British and Australian forms in our profession guides; alternatives such as edema and fiber are different from accidental misspellings.
Is this an official list of words that will appear?
No. It is an independent study list built from OETAce profession guides. The misspellings illustrate errors to avoid; they are not ranked by frequency and do not predict examination content.
Sources
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