The Occupational English Test (OET) is an English language exam specifically for healthcare professionals who want to work in English-speaking countries. It’s recognized by healthcare councils and organizations in over 15 countries, including Australia, the UK, the USA, New Zealand, and Ireland. Some well-known councils accepting OET scores include the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Who Takes the OET?

The OET is designed for professionals in fields like:

  • Nursing
  • Medicine
  • Dentistry
  • Pharmacy
  • Veterinary Science
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Speech Pathology …and more. Each profession has a unique test format that reflects real workplace situations relevant to that field.

OET Exam Formats

The OET can be taken in two ways:

  1. OET on Paper at a Test Venue
  2. OET on Computer at a Test Venue
    • If taking the test on a computer, only Reading, Listening, and Writing sections are done at the test center, while the Speaking test can be taken from home via Zoom.

OET Test Sections

The OET is divided into four parts: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. Here’s a quick breakdown of each:

  1. Reading: Consists of three parts with 42 questions in total, testing the ability to locate and understand healthcare-related information. Total time: 60 minutes.
  2. Writing: A task specific to the test-taker’s profession, usually involving a letter (e.g., discharge or referral letters) based on a typical workplace scenario. Time: 45 minutes.
  3. Listening: Contains three parts, assessing the ability to follow consultations, workplace conversations, and presentations on healthcare topics. Time: 40 minutes.
  4. Speaking: Involves role-playing with an interlocutor, who acts as a patient or client. The scenario will reflect everyday conversations a healthcare professional would have in their job.

OET Scoring

Each test is scored on a scale of 0 to 500, and scores are converted into letter grades:

  • 450–500: Grade A
  • 350–440: Grade B
  • 300–340: Grade C+
  • 200–290: Grade C
  • 100–190: Grade D
  • 0–90: Grade E

How to Register for OET

  1. Go to the official OET website and create an account.
  2. Choose your test mode (computer or paper) and test location.
  3. Enter personal details, select your profession, and choose a test date and center.
  4. Upload ID proof (passport or government-issued ID) and pay the fee (Visa or MasterCard).

Exam Fees (in AUD)

  • All 4 tests: $587
  • 3 tests: $477.50
  • 2 tests: $339
  • 1 test: $200.50

Checking Your OET Results

  1. Log in to your myOET account.
  2. Select the “Results” button to view or download your scores.

After getting your OET results, you can explore options for studying abroad or pursuing healthcare careers in English-speaking countries.