What is Occupational English Test

2024 Feb 29

What is Occupational English Test (OET)?

The Occupational English Test (OET), administered by Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment Trust (CBLA), is an English language test for healthcare professionals. It assesses the language skills of medical professionals aiming to work or study in healthcare various countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, and more.

The OET helps these healthcare workers demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively in English while delivering high-quality healthcare. By taking the OET, individuals can fulfill a key requirement for obtaining registration and practicing in their chosen field.

OET tests English skills for healthcare professionals on separate listening, reading, writing, and speaking sections.

Each section has its own time limit. OET uses a unique grading system: no overall score, just individual section grades from 0-500 .

Each section's score is based on a letter grade (A-E), with A being the highest and E the lowest.

To pass the OET, you need a minimum score of 350 out of 500 in each section.

OET Delivery modes

OET Test on Paper	OET Test on Computer	OET Test@Home
• Book your test 24 days in advance to test day* • Book your test on Fridays and Saturdays during each test administration • Receive your results after 17 days	• Book your test 7 days in advance to test day   • Book your test on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays during each test administration   • Receive your results in just 10 days**   **OET on Computer results are released within 10 days for 95% of candidates.	• Book your test 7 days in advance to test day   • Book your test on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays during each test administration   • Receive your results in just 10 days**   **OET on Computer results are released within 10 days for 95% of candidates

OET Test on Paper : Here's What You Need to Know

Test Dates:

• Americas: Fridays
• Rest of the world: Saturdays (check availability for specific test centers)

Taking All Sub-tests:

• To receive your results, you must take all four OET sub-tests: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking in your first sitting.

Retesting Single Sub-tests:

• You can retake individual sub-tests outside the USA after your initial OET, but not within the USA.
• Important: Before registering, confirm if the organization you're applying to accepts individual sub-test scores.

Booking Deadline:

• Secure your spot by booking before the published test closing date. Check the official website for specific dates: [Link to published test closing dates]

Confirmation and Reminders:

• Upon successful booking, you'll receive a confirmation email.
• One week before your test, expect an email from the test venue with the address and schedule.
•  

Ready to take the next step? Find your test center and book your OET on the official website: https://oet.com/test/book-a-test

OET Test on Computer Venue : Here's What You Need to Know

Combined Sub-tests:

• Listening, Reading, and Writing: You must take these three sub-tests together during a single test administration.
• Speaking: You must complete the OET Speaking sub-test online within the same test administration window, but not necessarily on the same day. This window usually includes the 5 days before or after your combined sub-tests.

Key Points:

• The Listening sub-test start time varies by venue.
• The Speaking sub-test timing is flexible within the window, but must be within the same administration.
• Failure to complete the Speaking sub-test online within the window invalidates your entire OET. You'll need to rebook for a new test administration.

OET on Computer (at a Venue) Slot Booking:

• Booked on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays within a specific test window.
• Currently only available for Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Physiotherapy. Availability for other professions will expand upon approval by relevant healthcare boards.
• Bookings close 7 days before the combined sub-tests' start time at 11.59 PM GMT/UTC.
• Find upcoming closing dates: https://oet.com/test/book-a-test

Confirmation:

• Upon successful booking, expect a confirmation email.

OET at Home: Here's What You Need to Know

System Requirements & Eligibility:

• Before registering: Double-check that your computer meets the system requirements and that the organization you want to register with accepts OET@Home. It's currently only available for Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Physiotherapy. Future availability for other professions depends on approval by relevant boards.

Scheduling Your Test:

• OET@Home bookings are open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays within a specific test administration window.
• Similar to other OET formats, you must take the Listening, Reading, and Writing sub-tests together.
• The Speaking sub-test must be completed online within the same window (usually 5 days before or after your other sub-tests). Completing it outside this timeframe invalidates your OET, requiring a rebooking.

Booking Deadlines:

• Ensure you secure your spot 7 days before the combined sub-tests' start time. Bookings close at 11:59 PM GMT/UTC. Find upcoming closing dates on the website: https://oet.com/test/book-a-test

Confirmation:

• After successful booking, expect a confirmation email.

• Ready to book your OET@Home test? Visit the official website for full details and to check your eligibility: https://oet.com/test/book-a-test

OET Exam Fees and Duration

OET Exam Fees for Nurses:

• Cost: AU$ 587 (or US$ 455 for computer-based exam in the US).
• Note: This fee applies specifically to nurses taking the OET exam.

OET Exam Syllabus for Nurses:

The OET tests your English proficiency in four key areas:

• OET Listening: Understanding spoken English in healthcare settings.

Part A: Consultation Notes (5 minutes each)

• Listen to two consultations between healthcare professionals and patients.
• Take notesbased on the information you hear, filling in the healthcare professional's notes.
• This section tests your ability to understand key details and medical terminology relevant to consultations.

Part B: Short Workplace Extracts (1 minute each)

• Listen to six brief recordingsfrom healthcare workplaces (e.g., team meetings, patient handovers, professional discussions).
• Answer one multiple-choice questionfor each extract based on the information you hear.
• This part focuses on understanding everyday workplace communication in healthcare settings.

Part C: Presentations & Interviews (5 minutes each)

• Listen to two different presentations or interviews related to healthcare.
• Answer six multiple-choice questionsfor each extract, testing your comprehension of key points and ideas.
• This section challenges you to understand longer, more complex spoken presentations and discussions.

OET Scoring

• Part A: Double-checked by human experts for accuracy.
• Part B & C: Scored efficiently by computer.

• OET Reading: Comprehending healthcare-related written materials.

Part A: Speed Reading (15 minutes):

• Process 4 short healthcare textson a specific topic.
• Answer 20 questions- find matching information, complete sentences, and provide short answers.
• Show off your ability to grasp key points quickly.

Part B: Workplace Essentials (Time Varies):

• Analyze 6 workplace extractslike memos, policies, and guidelines.
• Answer 1 multiple-choice questionfor each extract.
• Demonstrate your understanding of everyday healthcare communication.

Part C: Deep Dive Articles (Time Varies):

• Delve into 2 longer articlesrelevant to healthcare professional development.
• Tackle 8 multiple-choice questionsper article.
• Prove your ability to comprehend complex healthcare information.

Remember: Parts B and C share a combined 45-minute timeframe.

OET Scoring

Key Skills Tested:

• Skimming & Scanning:Finding specific details and main points quickly.
• Understanding:Grasping gist, implicit meaning, and author's intent.
• Response Styles:Matching, sentence completion, short answers, multiple choice.

Grading System:

• Part A:Double-marked by human experts for accuracy.
• Parts B & C:Scored automatically by computer.

• OET Writing: Composing professional healthcare documents.

Challenge:

• Write a letter (usually a referral, transfer, discharge, patient update, or complaint response).
• 5 minutesto analyze case notes and documents.
• 40 minutesto compose your well-structured letter.

Show off your abilities:

• Choose appropriate tone and language for the audience.
• Organize information clearly and concisely.
• Use medical terminology accurately.
• Proofread for grammar and clarity.

OET Scoring

Six Key Areas Assessed:

• Discover the essential skills evaluated here: https://cdn-aus.aglty.io/oet/pdf-files/Writing-Criteria-August-19.pdf

Double-Checked for Accuracy:

• Your writing is assessed by human experts for quality and precision.

• Speaking: Communicating effectively in real-life healthcare situations.

Challenge: Engage in two realistic healthcare role plays.

Format:

• Warm-up chat:Get comfortable with the interlocutor.
• 3 minutes prep:Review your prompt and scenario.
• 5-minute role play:Apply your communication skills.

Clues for success:

• Match scenario details:Use information provided.
• Follow conversation prompts:Stay on track.
• Demonstrate key communication skills:Build rapport, clarify information, answer questions professionally.

OET Scoring

• 9 Key Criteria: Explore them here: https://cdn-aus.aglty.io/oet/pdf-files/speaking-assessment-criteria-updated-2018.pdf
• Double-Marked for Accuracy: Experts assess recordings for quality.
• Interlocutor's Role: Guides role plays, not assessment.

Each sub-test has its own specific content and format. Here are some resources to help you prepare:

Ready to get your desired score? Prepare with Nersify.

OET Score Validity

• The OET score is valid for two years for applying for further studies or employment. Remember to retake the test if you need your score beyond this timeframe.

OET for Nurses Around the Globe

Good news for healthcare professionals! Your OET scores are now recognized as proof of English language proficiency in 15 countries, including the recent additions of the U.S. and Canada. Here's the complete list:

• Australia
• Canada
• Ireland
• Maldives
• Malta
• Namibia
• New Zealand
• Philippines
• Qatar
• Singapore
• Spain
• Ukraine
• United Kingdom (U.K.)
• United Arab Emirates (UAE)
• United States of America (U.S.)

OET Score Requirements in the UK for Nurses

OET has been graded on a scale of 0-500 for each of the four sections such as Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking (also known as subtests). The highest score is 500, and the lowest is 0. See the below table to get clear idea about OET Score, the equivalent grade, and your level of English. 

OET SCORE	OET GRADE	YOUR LEVEL OF ENGLISH
450-500	A	You can communicate well and have fluency in the English language. You can fluently and effectively communicate with patients and healthcare professionals using appropriate registered tones and lexis. The candidate has a deep understanding of written and spoken language.
350-440	B	You can communicate effectively with patients and health professionals. Of course, there could be occasional inaccuracies and hesitations, but it shows a good understanding of clinical contexts.
300-340	C+	Despite occasional errors and lapses, you can maintain the interaction in a relevant healthcare environment.
200-290	C	You can understand standard spoken language typically encountered in your specialization but may require clarification on higher-level language.
100-190	D	You can maintain some interaction and understand specific factual information in your field of specialization but may ask for clarification. However, inaccuracies could be frequent, and overuse of technical language can cause strain in communication.
0-90	E	You can manage simple interactions on familiar topics and understand the main point in short and simple messages. You can interact only if the other person is ready to clarify details.

OET Grades for Different Countries

OET or Occupational English Test is accepted in 15 countries. The OET grades and the scores needed to work or study in these OET-accepted countries vary. Check the OET grade requirements of all these 15 countries below. 

Countries	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
AUSTRALIA	B	B	B	B
NEW ZEALAND	B	B	B	B
IRELAND	B	B	C+	B
THE UK	B	B	C+	B
THE USA: OREGON	B	B	B	B
THE USA: FLORIDA	C+	C+	C+	C+
THE UAE	B	B	B	B
THE PHILIPPINES	B	B	C+	B
NAMIBIA	B	B	B	B
UKRAINE	B	B	B	B
SINGAPORE	B	B	B	B
MALTA	C+	C+	C+	B
SPAIN	B	B	B	B
CANADA	B	B	B	B
Maldives	C	C	C	C
Qatar	B	B	B	B

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) now accepts OET scores as proof of English language proficiency for registration, study, and work in the healthcare sector.

Meeting the score requirements:

• You'll need to achieve at least Grade B in all four sub-tests: Listening, Reading, Speaking.
• For Writing, a C+ grade is required.

OET's benefits in the UK:

• Gain wider recognition for your English proficiency compared to other tests.
• Fulfill visa requirements and pursue your healthcare career dreams.
• Open doors to diverse opportunities in study, work, and registration.
•  

Combining IELTS and OET Scores for English Language Requirements: Yes, You Can!

Struggling to hit the English language proficiency mark for certain applications in one sitting? Worry not, both IELTS and OET offer the option to combine scores from two test attempts under specific conditions.

Here's what you need to know:

Validity: Combine scores from tests taken within six months of each other. Your overall test results must also be within two years of your application submission.

Testing Format: All four sections (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking) must be tested simultaneously in each attempt. You cannot combine individual section scores.

Minimum Scores:

• IELTS:
• All scores in both tests above 6.5.
• Writing: 6.5 minimum in any of the two tests.
• Reading, Listening, Speaking: At least 7 in either test.
• OET:
• All grades in both tests above C+.
• Writing: C+ minimum in any of the two tests.
• Reading, Listening, Speaking: At least B in either test.

Remember: Combining scores only helps meet the minimum requirement. Aim for higher scores to enhance your application competitiveness.

Still unsure? Check the official websites of IELTS and OET for detailed information and updated requirements.

• IELTS: https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/
• OET: https://oet.com/

 

Conclusion

With its acceptance in 15 countries, including the recent additions of the U.S. and Canada, OET offers exciting opportunities for nurses and midwives seeking international placements. Utilize the resources mentioned throughout this blog and practice diligently to achieve your desired score. Take the first step towards your global healthcare dream today!

Additional points to consider:

• Include a call to action for readers to visit the OET website or contact you for further information.
• Briefly summarize the key takeaways of your blog, such as the OET's unique format, recognition, and score requirements.
• Add a personal touch by sharing the story of a successful OET candidate or highlighting the rewards of a global healthcare career.