The Occupational English Test (OET) is an international English language test designed specifically for healthcare professionals. Unlike general English exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE, every section of the OET uses healthcare content — clinical conversations, medical reading passages, referral letters, and patient consultations. This makes it the most relevant English test for anyone planning to work in healthcare abroad.
Who Is OET For?
OET is available for 12 healthcare professions:
- Nursing
- Medicine (doctors)
- Dentistry
- Pharmacy
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational therapy
- Radiography
- Optometry
- Podiatry
- Speech pathology
- Veterinary science
- Dietetics
When you register for OET, you select your profession. The Listening and Reading sub-tests are common to all professions, while Writing and Speaking are tailored to your specific field.
Exam Structure
Listening (Approximately 45 Minutes)
Three parts with 42 questions. Part A is a clinical consultation where you take notes while listening. Parts B and C use short workplace extracts and longer presentations with multiple-choice questions. Audio plays once — no replays.
Reading (60 Minutes)
Three parts with 42 questions. Part A tests expeditious reading across multiple short healthcare texts. Parts B and C present longer passages with comprehension and inference questions.
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Writing (40 Minutes)
One task based on patient case notes. You write a professional letter (referral, discharge, transfer, or patient information) appropriate to your profession. Approximately 180 to 200 words.
Speaking (Approximately 20 Minutes)
Two role-play scenarios where you interact with a patient (played by an interlocutor). You play your professional role. Each scenario lasts about five minutes with preparation time.
Scoring
Each sub-test is scored 0 to 500 in 10-point increments, mapped to letter grades:
- Grade A (450–500): Expert level
- Grade B (350–440): High proficiency — the standard registration benchmark
- Grade C+ (300–340): Good proficiency
- Grade C (200–290): Moderate proficiency
- Grade D (100–190): Limited proficiency
Most healthcare regulators worldwide require Grade B (350+) for professional registration. Some accept Grade C+ (300+) in Writing.
Which Countries Accept OET?
OET is recognised by healthcare regulatory bodies in over 30 countries, including:
- United Kingdom — NMC (nurses), GMC (doctors), GDC (dentists), GPhC (pharmacists)
- Australia — AHPRA (all healthcare professions)
- New Zealand — Medical, Nursing, and other health practitioner councils
- Ireland — Medical Council, NMBI, CORU
- USA — ECFMG (doctors, via Pathways)
- UAE — DHA, DOH, MOHAP
- Singapore — SMC, SNB
- Canada — Select provincial medical and nursing boards
OET vs IELTS vs PTE
- OET: Healthcare-specific content. More expensive (USD 587). Results in 16 business days. Accepted for healthcare registration.
- IELTS: General academic content. Cheaper (USD 255). Results in 3–5 days. Accepted for registration and immigration.
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- PTE: General academic content, AI-scored. Cheapest (USD 220–250). Results in 1–5 days. Accepted by AHPRA but not GMC or ECFMG.
Most healthcare professionals find OET easier because the content matches their daily work. However, IELTS and PTE are cheaper and more widely available.
Test Delivery Options
- OET on Computer: Taken at Prometric test centres worldwide.
- OET on Paper: Available at selected venues on specific dates.
- OET@Home: Taken remotely from your own computer with online proctoring.
Exam Fees
Full test (all four sub-tests): Approximately USD 587. Individual sub-test retakes are available at reduced rates for paper-based tests. Results are valid for two years from the test date.
The OET is purpose-built for healthcare professionals. If your goal is medical or nursing registration in a country that accepts it, OET offers the most relevant and intuitive test experience available.