What is OET?

The Occupational English Test (OET) is a special test developed to assess the language proficiency of healthcare professionals needing to work in an English speaking country. The OET exam scores are accepted by international healthcare councils in 15+ countries including Australia, the UK, the USA, New Zealand, and Ireland.

Some of the notable councils accepting OET scores are:

•  UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
•  the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
•  the Nursing and Midwifery Councils of New Zealand

The OET exam is also accepted by many top Australian universities, healthcare bodies, and the Australian Border and Immigration Protection.

Since its inception in the late 1980s, OET has been key eligibility for the healthcare professions such as:

• Dentistry
• Dietetics
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Occupational Therapy
• Optometry
• Pharmacy
• Veterinary Science
• Physiotherapy
• Podiatry
• Radiography 
• Speech Pathology

OET exams are delivered by two modes:

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

Candidates who opt for OET on computer at a test venue can only take up Reading, Listening, and Writing at the test venue. Whereas the speaking test can be taken at home via Zoom on a tablet or computer.

• A valid email address

• A valid identification document (Passport or National ID)

• Passport-sized photo that meets the OET photo requirements

• Visa or Mastercard credit card

Step 1 - Click on the Book button on the official OET Website.

Step 2 - Choose the exam delivery mode, (i.e) OET on computer or OET on computer.

Step 3 - Submit email id, preferred name and country location.

Step 4 - On the “About You Section”, candidates are asked to fill in the gender, date of birth, first language and legal name (Legal name should match the name on the ID submitted on test day).

Step 5 - Specify the OET on computer, specify the month and select the test option (medicine or nursing).

Step  6 - Choose a location and find the test centres.

Step  7 - Upload id proof and process the payment (The OET Centre accepts Visa and MasterCard).

Step 8 - Candidates will receive a confirmation email with all the relevant information about the OET Exam.

• OET Reading
• OET Writing
• OET Listening 
• OET Speaking

The OET writing test is customised and profession specific. For instance, the writing task will be based on a typical workspace situation and will vary from profession to profession. For instance, a nurse does the writing task based on her workplace situation and vice versa. The overall duration to complete the OET writing exam is 45 minutes.

OET Writing Exam structure

• The OET writing task involves writing a variety of letters. Some different letter formats in the writing task including, a letter of discharge, a letter of transfer, a letter to inform or advise a patient, or a group. 
• The writing task varies from profession to profession. For instance, radiography professionals are tasked to respond to a written complaint.

The standard process involves 2 independent trainers assessing the OET writing performance, and the performance is measured by a band score against the following 6 criteria:

• Purpose
• Content 
• Conciseness & Clarity 
• Genre & Style
• Organisation & Layout 
• Language

The OET Listening test comprises 3 parts with 42 questions to answer. All questions are derived from general healthcare topics. The total duration of the Listening test is about 40 minutes which includes, recorded speeches and pause to permit adequate time to complete writing the answers. 

Note: Recordings will be played once, and candidates are expected to fill in their answers while listening to the recording.

The OET speaking test uses customised materials for each profession (nurse, pharmacist, and veterinary). Here, candidates will take up the professional role, and the interlocutor plays the role of either a client, patient, or relative. For veterinary science professionals, the interlocutor might play the role of a pet owner.

OET Speaking Test structure

In the OET speaking test, a candidate’s profession is verified by the interlocutor, followed by a warm-up conversation about their professional experience. Post which, the interlocular explains the role of both and gives a 3-minute duration to prepare for the OET speaking test. The speaking test will be of typical workplace conversation that reflects the situations faced by healthcare professions every day. The entire discussion of this role-play happens for about five minutes.

How is the OET Speaking Score Calculated?

The following are the criteria for calculating the OET speaking scores:

• Intelligibility
• Fluency
• Appropriateness of Language
• Resources of Grammar and Expression
• Relationship-building
• Understanding and incorporating the patient’s perspective
• Providing structure
• Information-gathering
• Information-giving

To take all OET sub-tests: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking it costs around 21600 pesos (AU $587) in the Philippines.

For taking up individual OET tests such as OET Reading or OET Listening, the following are the exam fee:

Steps to check your OET results:

1. Click on myOET profile to log in.
2. Select the result button on your dashboard to access the results.
3. View/download/print your OET results.
4. You can view your section-wise results under the tab “MY TEST HISTORY”.

Note: Enable pop-ups on your browser if you are unable to download your results.

Wondering what to do after completing your English proficiency test? Explore our top courses to study abroad or just fill in the enquiry form on this page! Our AECC Global's expert counselors are here to guide you in helping you choose a course and institution that matches your career inspirations. Get in touch now!