Welcome to the OET Exam Hub

About OET

The Occupational English Test (OET) is an international English language proficiency test specifically designed for healthcare professionals. It assesses the language communication skills of healthcare professionals who are seeking to register and practice in an English-speaking environment.

Course Highlights

Discover the key features of the OET program, which offers diverse examination modes catering to different preferences:

  1. OET on Paper at a Test Venue
  2. OET on Computer at a Test Venue
  3. OET at Home

Additionally, explore the comprehensive OET Coaching program with the following notable aspects:

  • OET boasts an impressive pass rate exceeding 75%.
  • Widely acknowledged and accepted in the UK, New Zealand, Ireland, and the USA.
  • The OET exam offers 12 distinct versions to ensure a well-rounded assessment.
  • Conducted 16 times annually, providing flexibility for candidates to choose suitable exam dates.
  • Available across 120 locations in 40 countries, making it accessible globally.

About OET

The OET is a globally recognized English language proficiency test specifically tailored for healthcare professionals. Designed to meet the needs of healthcare personnel aiming to work abroad, this test is a prerequisite for migration, emphasizing the importance of achieving the required score. By focusing on language skills and clinical communication, the OET ensures healthcare professionals can deliver high-quality and safe patient care. Furthermore, the OET score holds credibility with various prestigious universities worldwide, significantly enhancing opportunities for success in establishing a healthcare career overseas.

Why Choose OET?

Tailored for Healthcare Professionals

OET is recognized and trusted by healthcare boards and councils worldwide. Unlike general English language tests, OET focuses on the language skills relevant to healthcare settings, ensuring that candidates can effectively communicate in their professional roles.

Real-life Healthcare Scenarios

The test is designed to simulate real healthcare scenarios, including tasks such as writing referral letters, interacting with patients, and participating in discussions with colleagues. This makes OET a practical and relevant assessment for healthcare professionals.

Global Recognition

OET is accepted as proof of English proficiency by regulatory healthcare bodies and employers in countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Dubai, and Singapore.

OET Exam Components

Listening

The listening section assesses your ability to understand spoken English in a healthcare context. It includes various accents and dialects commonly encountered in healthcare settings.

Reading

The reading section evaluates your ability to comprehend and analyze texts related to healthcare. This includes articles, patient information leaflets, and workplace guidelines.

Writing

The writing component requires candidates to produce profession-specific written communication, such as letters, notes, and reports. It assesses your ability to convey information accurately and effectively.

Speaking

The speaking test involves a face-to-face interview with a trained interlocutor. Candidates engage in role-play situations relevant to their healthcare profession, demonstrating their ability to communicate effectively.

Which Countries Recognize OET?

OET is recognized by regulatory healthcare boards and councils in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the USA, UAE, Ireland, Dubai, Singapore, Namibia, and Ukraine. The table below gives you information about the countries, boards, and universities accepting the OET scores:

Country Healthcare Boards & Councils Universities
Australia Chinese Medicine Board of Australia
Dental Board of Australia
Medical Board of Australia
Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
Occupational Therapy Board of Australia
Optometry Board of Australia
Paramedicine Board of Australia
Pharmacy Board of Australia
Physiotherapy Board of Australia
Podiatry Board of Australia
Australasian Veterinary Boards Council
Australian Dental Council
Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS)
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council
Australian Pharmacy Council
Australian Physiotherapy Council
Dietitians Association of Australia
Occupational Therapy Council of Australia – all test types
Sino-Australia Association of Physical Rehabilitation Medicine
South Australian Medical Education and Training
Speech Pathology Australia
Australian Catholic University
Charles Darwin University
Charles Sturt University
Curtin University
CQ University
Deakin University
Edith Cowan University
Federation University
Flinders University
Griffith University
James Cook University
Macquarie University
Murdoch University
Queensland University of Technology
RMIT University
Southern Cross University
Swinburne University of Technology
The University of Adelaide
University of Canberra
University of Newcastle
University of New England
University of Notre Dame Australia
University of Queensland
University of South Australia
University of Southern Queensland
University of Technology Sydney
University of the Sunshine Coast
University of Wollongong
Victoria University
Western Sydney University
Canada The Alberta International Medical Graduate Program – all test types
Practice Ready Assessment – British Columbia – all test types
Alberta Health Services – OET on Paper and OET on Computer at test venues
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta – all test types
College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia – all test types
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba – all test types
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador – OET on paper and OET on computer at test venues
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia – all test types
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan – OET on paper and OET on computer at test venues
Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada (FMRAC)
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University
Ireland Medical Council – OET on computer at test venue
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
Dental Council of Ireland
Institute of Technology Tralee
CORU
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland
Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
NA
Maldives Maldives Medical and Dental Council
Maldives Nursing and Midwifery Council
NA
Malta The Council of Nurses and Midwives
Malta Medical Council
NA
Namibia Health Professions Councils of Namibia NA
New Zealand Dental Council of New Zealand
Dietitians Board of New Zealand
Medical Council of New Zealand
Midwifery Council of New Zealand – all test types
New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)
Nursing Council of New Zealand
Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand
Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board of New Zealand
Pharmacy Council of New Zealand
Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand
Podiatrists Board of New Zealand
Veterinary Council of New Zealand
AGI Education Ltd
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Aspire2 International
ATMC New Zealand
Ignite Colleges
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology
New Zealand Tertiary College
NorthTec
Otago Polytechnic
Southern Institute of Technology
Toi-Ohomai Institute of Technology
Unitec Institute of Technology
Universal College of Learning
University of Auckland
University of Otago Language Centre
Whitireia New Zealand
WINTEC
Philippines NA Ateneo de Davao University
Jose Rizal Memorial State University
Lyceum of the Philippines University – Laguna
ATS Learning Center
Qatar Hamad Medical Corporation NA
Singapore Singapore Dental Council
Singapore Medical Council
Singapore Pharmacy Council
Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC)
AHPC – Occupational Therapy
AHPC – Physiotherapy
AHPC – Speech-language Therapy
AHPC – Diagnostic Radiography and Radiation Therapy
NA
Spain CRUE
Universidad de La Rioja
NA
Ukraine Ukrainian Council of Nursing and Midwifery
Ukrainian Medical Council
Ukrainian Professional Council of Public Health Services
NA
United Kingdom Academy of Medical Royal Colleges
ENT UK
General Medical Council
General Pharmaceutical Council
Nursing and Midwifery Council
Royal College of Anaesthetists
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
Royal College of Physicians of London
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Royal College of Surgeons of England
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists
The Royal College of Pathologists
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
Brunel University London
Canterbury Christ Church University
Imperial College London
King’s College London
Teesside University
UK Foundation Programme
Ulster University
University of Chester
University of Highlands and Islands
University of Leicester
University of the West of Scotland
United Arab Emirates Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA)
Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA)
NA
United States of America CGFNS International Inc.
Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates| Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (ECFMG®|FAIMER®)
Florida Board of Nursing
Oregon State Board of Nursing
Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs – Health professions
Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
Massachusetts Board of Registration In Nursing
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
NA

Understanding the OET Exam

The OET exam serves as a comprehensive evaluation of the English language proficiency of healthcare professionals. It encompasses a thorough assessment of four essential skills:

  • Listening
  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Speaking

Full Form of OET

OET stands for Occupational English Test, underscoring its specific relevance to a particular occupation. This specialized test is instrumental in refining clinical communication skills essential for ensuring safe and effective patient care.

OET Syllabus

The OET exam syllabus comprises four distinct sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Each section is designed with varying formats and time allocations, aligning with the specific language requirements vital for healthcare professionals.

Listening Section:

This component comprises three parts:

  • Consultation Extracts
  • Short Workplace Extracts
  • Presentation Extracts

Candidates will face a total of 42 questions in this section, with a duration of 50 minutes.

Reading Section:

This section includes three parts:

  • A summary task
  • Multiple-choice questions
  • A matching task

A total of 42 questions are presented in this section, with a time frame of 60 minutes.

Writing Section:

In this segment, candidates are tasked with composing a letter based on a given case note. They can choose from a selection of 12 different healthcare areas.

Speaking Section:

Candidates engage in an interactive session with an interlocutor assuming the role of a patient or client. Similar to the Writing section, candidates can select from 12 distinct healthcare areas.

Overall, the OET exam not only evaluates language proficiency but also ensures that healthcare professionals are equipped with the necessary communication skills vital for success in their specific fields.

OET Exam Pattern

OET Exam Pattern Test Duration OET Description
Listening 45 minutes Includes 3 parts
Reading 60 minutes Includes 3 parts
Writing 45 minutes Profession-specific letter writing
Speaking 20 minutes Interact with interlocutor

What are the OET Exam Modes?

There are three different types of OET Exam modes:

  • OET on Paper at a Test Venue
  • OET on Computer at a Test Venue
  • OET at Home

How are OET Exam Results Reported?

Grade OET score from September 2018 OET band descriptors
A 500
490
480
470
460
450
Can communicate very fluently and effectively with patients and health professionals using appropriate register, tone, and lexis. Shows complete understanding of any kind of written or spoken language.
B 440
430
420
410
400
390
380
370
360
350
Can communicate effectively with patients and health professionals using appropriate register, tone, and lexis, with only occasional inaccuracies and hesitations. Shows good understanding in a range of clinical contexts.
C+ 340
330
320
310
300
Can maintain the interaction in a relevant healthcare environment despite occasional errors and lapses and follow standard spoken language normally encountered in his/her field of specialization.
C 290
280
270
260
250
240
230
220
210
200
 
D 190
180
170
160
150
140
130
120
110
100
Can maintain some interaction and understand straightforward factual information in his/her field of specialization but may ask for clarification. Frequent errors, inaccuracies, and mis or overuse of technical language can cause strain in communication.
E 90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Can manage simple interaction on familiar topics and understand the main point in short, simple messages, provided he/she can ask for clarification. A high density of errors and mis- or overuse of technical language can cause significant strain and breakdowns in communication.

OET Sample Test

Engaging in an OET sample test or mock examination serves as a valuable tool for enhancing the necessary skills required to achieve a high score. Prospective candidates can utilize mock tests to evaluate their proficiency in each section before undertaking the actual OET exam, which has a duration of 175 minutes. Practicing with mock tests significantly contributes to qualifying for the exam with an optimal score.

OET Validity

The OET score remains valid for a period of two years. Upon the expiration of this timeframe, individuals seeking to retain their score must undergo the test again.

OET Login

The OET registration process involves several straightforward steps:

  1. Visit the official OET website.
  2. Create a login account by providing a username and password.
  3. Complete all required information.
  4. Schedule an appointment for the OET exam, selecting the desired date and time.
  5. Review all details before finalizing.
  6. Complete the OET registration by paying the applicable fees.
  7. Click on the Register/Apply button.
  8. A confirmation will be sent to the registered mobile number.

OET Eligibility

Healthcare professionals specializing in one of the twelve designated areas, including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, dentists, pharmacists, and others, are eligible to take the Occupational English Test (OET). Notably, CBLA (Council for a Better Listening and Assessment) does not specify any particular age group or educational qualification requirements for test registration.

OET Exam Requirements

Candidates preparing for the OET exam must meet the following prerequisites:

  • Minimum age of 18 years.
  • Educational background equivalent to secondary education.
  • Valid government-issued identity proof.
  • Digital passport photo.

Additionally, candidates should adhere to specific exam conduct guidelines, including logging in 15 minutes before each section, using a PC/laptop with required specifications, turning off mobile phones, writing the exam in isolation, and having a water bottle nearby.

OET Exam Fees

The cost of the OET exam is approximately $587 AUD / $455 USD. However, fees are subject to change, and candidates are advised to check the current fee structure before registering for the exam.

Preparation Resources

Preparing for the OET exam is crucial to achieving your desired score. Explore our comprehensive range of preparation resources, including practice tests, sample materials, and tips to enhance your language skills.

Test Dates and Locations

Find information about upcoming OET exam dates and available test locations. Plan your exam schedule and choose a convenient location to take the test.

How to Register

Learn about the registration process, including fees, required documents, and deadlines. Ensure a smooth registration experience to kickstart your journey towards OET success.

Contact Us

Have questions or need assistance? Contact our support team for prompt and helpful guidance. We're here to support you on your OET journey.

Prepare with confidence, excel in your OET exam, and open doors to new opportunities in your healthcare career!

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