What is the OET?
The OET is the Occupational English Test. The OET is broken down into four areas: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. It is designed specifically to assess the English Language skills of international healthcare professionals wanting to work in an English-speaking environment.
Which level do I need to achieve in the OET to work as a registered nurse in UK ?
The NMC require you to gain a minimum of Level B in speaking, listening, and reading and Level C+ in writing of the test. Please see the score scale below:
How do I book my OET?
OET is available monthly in over 40 countries. OET exam is conducted twice in one month. You can book your test online at: https://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/book-oet/
What do the OET tests involve?
Speaking: Specific to your profession, based on typical workplace situations. You will take part in two role-plays, where you’ll take your professional role while the other person plays a patient or client, or sometimes a relative or carer. Time= Approx. 20 minutes.
Writing: Specific to your profession, based on typical workplace situations. The task is to write a letter, usually a referral letter. Sometimes, especially for some professions, a different type of letter is required, i.e. a letter of transfer or discharge, or a letter to advise or inform a patient, carer, or group. Time= 45 minutes
Listening: It has 3 parts, where you will follow and understand a range of health-related spoken materials such as patient consultations and lectures. Time= Approx. 45 minutes
Reading: There are 3 parts in reading and a total of 42 question items. The topics are of generic healthcare interest and are therefore accessible to candidates across all professions. Time= 60 minutes
The 3 parts are:- Part A – Quick reading task This assesses your ability to locate specific information from four short texts in a quick and efficient manner.
- Part B – Careful reading task This assesses your ability to identify the detail, gist or main point of six short texts sourced from the healthcare workplace (100-150 words each).
- Part C – Careful reading task This assesses your ability to identify detailed meaning and opinion in two texts on topics of interest to healthcare professionals (800 words each).
When will I receive my OET results?
Results are issued online approximately 16 business days after the test. Your certificate will be posted to you directly from OET approximately 7 days after the results are published online.
How long are my OET results valid for?
Your OET results are valid for 2 years.
Can I request a re-mark?
You may request a re-mark of your test results. Requests for re-marking must be made within 5 days of results being published.
Can I combine my test certificates if I wish to go to UK?
You can achieve the required mark across two test sittings if:
- You sit the tests within six months of each other, and
- You are tested in all four skills at the same time, and
- All grades in both sittings are above Grade C+ and you achieve Grade B or higher in all four fields when the results of both sittings are viewed together.
- Test 1: Listening (B), Reading (C+), Writing (B), Speaking (C+)
- Test 2: Listening (C+), Reading (B), Writing (C+), Speaking (B)
What's in the OET Test?
To help you understand what’s in the OET Test, and why it’s suitable for healthcare professionals like you, we’ve briefly outlined these details below:
The OET Test is divided into four sub-tests: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
The Listening and Reading subtests are designed to assess a candidate's ability to understand spoken and written English, based on health-related topics and tasks common to all professions.
The Writing and Speaking subtests are specific to the 12 individual healthcare professions and designed to reflect common tasks performed in the workplace.
Here’s a quick summary of what’s in each sub-test of the OET Test:- Listening: Approx. 40 minutes , Follow and understand a range of health-related spoken materials such as patient consultations and lectures.
- Reading 60 minutes, Read and understand different types of text on a health-related subject.
- Writing 40 minutes (plus 5 minutes of reading time) , Write a letter, usually a referral letter, but could be a letter of transfer or discharge, or a letter to advise or inform a patient, carer, or group.
- Speaking Approx. 20 minutes , Take part in two role-plays. You play a healthcare professional while the interlocutor plays a patient or client, or sometimes a relative or carer.
How much does the OET Test cost?
The full OET Test (four sub-tests including Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking) costs AU$587 (or US$455 for OET on Computer at a venue and OET@Home in the US) .
Single sub-tests can be booked at lesser costs for OET on Paper at a venue.
If you’d like to book individual sub-tests, you can do so for OET on Paper at the majority of our venues around the world (unfortunately, we don’t offer this option in the USA). Here are the prices (including the AU$7 online booking fee):
- 1 sub-test: AU$315
- 2 sub-tests: AU$415
- 3 sub-tests: AU$515
Please keep in mind this option is only available if you’ve previously taken the full OET Test. Before booking individual sub-tests, please ensure the organisation you’ll be sharing your results with accepts scores from individual sub-tests tests / less than a full test.
How long does the OET Test take?
The OET Test takes approximately three hours for the Listening, Reading and Writing sub-tests, and 20 minutes for the Speaking sub-test.
Here are the timings for each sub-test:- Listening Approx. 45 minutes
- Reading 60 minutes
- Writing Approx. 45 minutes
- Speaking Approx. 20 minutes
Tips about Speaking sub-test timings:
To help ensure a smooth test day, we’ve detailed some tips below about the timings for the Speaking sub-test according to the mode of the test.
OET on Paper at a venue:While the OET Test doesn’t take the full day to complete, we recommend you allocate the full day to take the OET Test as the Speaking sub-test can be scheduled anywhere between 8:00am-8:00pm.
OET on Computer at a venue/OET@Home:Your Speaking sub-test can be taken on the same day or a different day from the comfort of your own home. For OET on Computer at a venue, be sure to allocate time for the commute to or from the venue when you select the time for your Speaking sub-test.
How many sub-tests can I take in the OET Test? Can I book just one (or more) sub-tests?
If you’re looking to take the OET Test and want to sit one or more sub-tests, we’ve detailed some guidance below about how many sub-tests you can book based on the mode of the OET Test.
How many sub-tests can I take/book?
OET on Paper at a venue: When you book the OET Test for the first time, you can book the full OET Test (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking) for OET on Paper.
After your first OET Test, you’ll then be able to book one or more sub-tests.
OET on Computer at a venue/OET@Home: Any time you book OET on Computer at a venue or OET@Home, you’ll be able to book the full OET Test (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking). Unfortunately, we don't offer less than four sub-tests for this test mode.
Before you book the OET Test:
Before you book the OET Test, make sure you’re up to date on the English language proficiency requirements you’ll need to meet. These are the requirements set by the organisations you'll provide your OET Test results. Most organisations require you to take the full OET Test, but a handful of organisations don’t, so it’s important to understand their requirements before you book.
What results are considered “a pass” in the OET Test?
There is no single OET Test result you can get that is considered “a pass”. The OET Test is accepted by organisations across the globe as proof of English language proficiency for many purposes. Each organisation sets these requirements.
Our advice is to research the English language proficiency requirements of the organisations that accept the OET Test to learn what results are considered “a pass”. They’ll also cover other requirements for English language proficiency tests, including what mode of the test you’ll need to take, which of the 12 OET Test professions you’ll need, and any further English language proficiency requirements relevant to the OET Test.
- For links to all the organisations that accept OET Test results, visit: oet.com/discover/who-recognises-oet
Who recognises the OET Test?
- Australia, Canada , Egypt , Finland , India , Ireland, Maldives, Malta , Namibia , New Zealand , Philippines , Qatar , Singapore , Spain , Sri Lanka , Ukraine , United Arab Emirates , United Kingdom , United States of America .
Why should I choose the OET Test?
The OET Test is the English test of choice for healthcare professionals looking to register and practice in an English-speaking country.
Our candidates choose the OET Test because of four main reasons:
- Recognition You can use the OET Test as your proof of English language proficiency with healthcare regulators in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and United States, and immigration authorities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
- Confidence Past test takers recommend the OET Test because you can feel confident that both study and test materials reflect real healthcare scenarios.
- Relevance With the OET Test, you’ll have the required English language and communication skills to deliver safe and high-quality care to your patients.
How can I pay for the OET Test?
You can pay for your OET Test online when you book. Pay with your valid (unexpired, not cancelled) card.
You can use:- Visa, Mastercard and American Express: debit, credit and prepaid cards
- JCB and UnionPay: debit and credit cards only
Note: disregard any mention of credit card only when booking; all cards mentioned above are accepted. All payments are processed securely online via Stripe, and you’ll receive a booking confirmation email once you’ve booked.
How is OET different from other English Tests?
The OET is designed for 12 specific healthcare professions and candidates belonging to a similar discipline are advised to take the exam. As part of the OET Exam Pattern, the exam requires candidates to solve healthcare scenarios during the English and Communication Skills tests.
What countries recognize OET as proof of English Language Proficiency?
OET is recognized as proof of English Language proficiency by health regulators across Australia, Canada, Ireland, Maldives, Malta, Namibia, New Zealand, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America.
Which English Language Test is Right for You: OET or IELTS?
IELTS and OET are language proficiency tests for non-native English speakers. IELTS offers more test formats being Academic and General Training, each with four components, while OET has only one format specifically for healthcare professionals.
Is OET easy to pass?
Is the OET exam difficult? People often compare OET with other language tests, but it is different from them. The OET exam is considered to be an easier test. It is also because it is specific to the healthcare industry, and only those from that field will be taking this exam.
Can I prepare for OET in 8 weeks?
If your recent test or placement test results show your current level of English is close to an OET B grade already, you may only need a few weeks to familiarise yourself with the test format. On the other hand, if the results show you are a C+ or C grade at the moment, then you will need more time to improve.