What’s in the OET test?

It's important to understand what to expect when you are planning to sit for OET. By doing so can help you better understand why OET is perfect for healthcare professionals.

The test is divided into four subtests: 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.

Writing and speaking subtests are specific to the 12 individual healthcare professions and designed to reflect common tasks performed in the workplace.

Which health care professionals can take the OET?

The OET has been developed for Dentistry Dietetics, Medicine, Nursing, occupational therapy, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Radiography, Speech Pathology, and Veterinary Science

Why should I choose OET over IELTS?

OET is the English test of choice for healthcare professionals looking to register and practice in an English-speaking country.

Candidates choose OET for four main reasons:

OET is accepted by healthcare regulators in the UK, Ireland Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Dubai for registration purposes, as well as both Australian and New Zealand immigration for all visa categories where proof of English language skills is mandatory.

OET is recommended by past test takers because the preparation and test materials reflect real healthcare scenarios leading to increased confidence on test day.

OET makes sure that health professionals have the required English language communication skills to deliver safe and high-quality care.

OET provides a broad range of preparation resources, many of which are online and free of charge.

Who recognizes OET as proof of English proficiency?

OET is used as proof of English proficiency by health regulators in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Namibia, Singapore and Dubai for registration in 12 healthcare professions. OET is also accepted by major health educators and recruiters.

What are the acceptable scores for passing the OET?

For work and study purposes, you need to score a B in all the 4 sub-tests.

For immigration purposes, if you are the principal applicant then you need to score a B in all 4 sub-tests.

If you are a partner or child (above 16 yrs of age) of a principal applicant then you need to score C in all sub-tests.

Can 2 OET test scores be clubbed?

Most of the countries accept 2 test scores combined if you have done all 4 subtests in 1 sitting both times and if all subtests scores are B and above. Both full tests need to be done within 6 months. A gap of more than 6 months in between 2 tests is not accepted.

If I fail a sub-test how many times can I re-sit it?

You can re-sit it any number of times. However, scores from 2 tests can be clubbed together only if they are taken within 6 months of time.

When you re-sit a test make sure you have assessed the reasons about why you failed to get the required score in the earlier test.

How many years are my test scores valid?

Test scores are valid for 2 years.

How many subtests can I take?

First-time candidates are required to sit all four subtests; reading, writing, listening and speaking.

If the candidate is required to re-sit the OET please contact the Regulatory Authority that governs the candidate's profession to see if they allow you to sit individual subtests, or if all four subtests are required in one sitting.

Some professions require candidates to pass all four subtests in one sitting; meaning if you fail one or more sub-tests you are required re-sit all 4 sub-tests in one sitting.

To ensure you’re up-to-date with your individual requirements, please check with the Regulatory Authority that governs your profession.

Can I take OET if I am not a health professional?

OET is an English language exam that tests the language and communication skills of healthcare professionals who are interested to register and practice in an English-speaking environment. It is designed to focus on the communication needs of health professionals in the workplace and to provide a valid and reliable assessment of language skills in that setting. Regulatory authorities who recognize OET as proof of English language proficiency do so on that basis.

If you aren’t a health professional working towards registration in an English-speaking context, OET may not be the most suitable test of English language for your needs as there a lot of other alternatives.