OET

What is OET?

The Occupational English Test (OET) is a language assessment designed specifically for healthcare professionals. It evaluates the English language proficiency of individuals who intend to work in healthcare settings where English is the primary language. The test assesses all four language skills—reading, writing, speaking, and listening. While candidates can take Writing and Speaking tests tailored to 12 different healthcare areas, all candidates undergo the same Reading and Listening tests.

Who accepts OET?

  

Nursing  & Midwifery Council (NMC)

 Level B (350-440) in Speaking, Listening, and Reading and Level C+ (300-340) in Writing

General Dental Council (GDC)

 Not Accepted

General Medical Council (GMC)

 Minimum Overall Score B, in reading, writing, listening and speaking at one sitting of the test.

General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)

 OET Overall with a score of at least a B, in each of the four areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking at one sitting of the test.

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

 Accepted with “Comparability Statement” from test provider.

UKVI

 Not accepted.

NEU Professionals

 Accepted for NMC, HCPC. GPhC and GMC.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

OET Test on Paper: With this option, candidates can book their test up to 24 days in advance, specifically on Fridays and Saturdays during each test administration. After completing the test, candidates can expect to receive their results approximately 17 days later. However, it’s important to note that these timelines are subject to change.

OET Test on Computer: This delivery mode allows candidates to book their test with a shorter lead time of 7 days in advance. Test slots are available on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays during each test administration. Results for this mode are typically available in just 10 days after completing the test.


OET Test@Home®: Similar to the OET Test on Computer, candidates can also book their test 7 days in advance. Test slots are available on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays during each test administration. Results for this mode are also provided within 10 days after completing the test. This option allows candidates to take the test from the comfort of their own homes, providing added flexibility and convenience.

Listening:

The Listening sub-test lasts approximately 40 minutes and comprises three parts, totalling 42 question items. Topics are broadly related to healthcare and accessible across all professions. Part A involves listening to two health professional-patient consultations and completing the health professional’s notes. Part B consists of listening to six short workplace extracts and answering multiple-choice questions. Part C entails listening to two presentations or interview extracts and answering multiple-choice questions. This sub-test assesses various skills such as identifying specific information, gist, opinion, or the speaker’s purpose, evaluated through note-completion tasks and multiple-choice questions. Answers for Part A are double-marked by assessors, while Parts B and C are automatically scored.

Reading:

The Reading sub-test consists of three parts with 42 questions in total and takes 60 minutes to complete. Topics are relevant to healthcare and open to candidates from all professions. Part A involves expeditious reading tasks, Part B comprises short workplace extracts, and Part C consists of longer articles. Timing for Parts B and C combined is 45 minutes. The sub-test assesses skills such as skimming, scanning, identifying detail, gist, main points, explicit or implied meanings, and attitude or opinion through various question types. Answers for Part A are double-marked by assessors, while Parts B and C are automatically scored.

Writing:

The Writing sub-test lasts 45 minutes and is profession-specific. Candidates are tasked with writing a letter based on a typical workplace situation relevant to their profession. This may include a referral letter, discharge letter, or letter advising or informing patients, carers, or groups. Five minutes are allocated for reading case notes and/or related documentation, with 40 minutes for writing. The sub-test evaluates six criteria and answers are double-marked by assessors.

Speaking:

The Speaking sub-test takes around 20 minutes and is profession-specific, involving two role-play tasks based on typical workplace scenarios. Candidates assume the role of a healthcare professional while the interlocutor represents a patient, client, or carer. Each role-play is preceded by a short warm-up conversation. Candidates have three minutes to read the role-play card and five minutes to role-play the task points. The sub-test evaluates linguistic and clinical communication criteria. Role-plays are recorded and double-marked by assessors, with the interlocutor having no role in the assessment.

After completing your OET exam, you can access an overview of your latest test results through your online profile on the OET website. Results for OET on Computer (whether at a venue or OET@Home) are typically available within 10 days of the test date, while OET on Paper results are accessible 17 days after the test date. Official copies of Statements of Results can be downloaded from your online profile, allowing you to select the specific test administration for which you wish to view results. Each of the four sub-tests in OET is reported on a scale from 0 to 500 in ten-point increments (e.g., 350, 360, 370, etc.). These numerical scores are then mapped to letter grades ranging from A (highest) to E (lowest) for each sub-test. There is no overall grade for OET; instead, your Statement of Results displays your score on the 0 to 500 scale. It’s important to note that while OET on Computer results are typically released within 10 days for 95% of candidates, timing may vary due to public holidays, especially towards the end of the year.

Most recognising boards and councils require candidates to score at least 350 in each of the four sub-tests. But to make sure you’re up-to-date with requirements, always check with the relevant boards and councils that regulate your profession.

There are many aspects to being able to use a language effectively, and it is not unusual for candidates to have profiles which are uneven across the different component skills of Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Even within a single skill, a candidate may be relatively strong in certain areas (for example, fluency) and relatively weak in another (such as accuracy).

The length of time the results are recognised as valid is decided by the authorities that recognise OET (e.g. boards and councils, government departments). Always check your authority’s website for details to make sure you know their requirements.

Book a test today!