International medical graduates' guide to the OET

In order to assess the language skills of healthcare professionals, the OET is an English language test.

What is the OET exam?
OET exam structure
Scoring
Exam dates
OET practice materials

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International medical graduates' guide to the OET

In order to assess the language skills of healthcare professionals, the OET is an English language test.

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What is the OET exam?
OET exam structure
Scoring
Costs
Exam dates
OET practice materials

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How does the OET exam work?

Designed for healthcare professionals, the OET is an English language test that measures a person's reading, listening, writing, and speaking skills in English.

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How does the OET exam work?

The OET exam is a rigorous assessment designed to evaluate the English language proficiency of healthcare professionals. It consists of four sub-tests: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Each section is carefully crafted to ensure that candidates are able to demonstrate their ability to effectively communicate in an English-speaking healthcare environment. The test materials are authentic and relevant to the medical field, ensuring that candidates are tested on scenarios they may encounter in their professional practice.

How does the OET exam work?

Designed for healthcare professionals, the OET is an English language test that measures a person's reading, listening, writing, and speaking skills in English.

VERSION

different versions of the OET exam

The OET exam is available in 12 versions tailored to different healthcare professions, including

VERSION

different versions of the OET exam

The OET exam is available in 12 versions tailored to different healthcare professions, including

DENTISTRY

Dentistry is a specialized field of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of oral diseases and conditions.

DIETETICS

Dietetics is a specialized branch of healthcare that focuses on the science of nutrition and its effects on human health.

MEDICINE

Medicine is a complex and ever-evolving field that encompasses the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases or injuries.

PHARMACY

Pharmacy is a crucial component of the healthcare system, providing patients with access to vital medications and expert advice on their proper use.

PHYSIOTHERAPY

Physiotherapy is a specialized form of rehabilitation that focuses on restoring movement and function.

PODIATRY

Podiatry is a specialized field of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders related to the feet and ankles.

NURSING

Nursing is a multifaceted profession that requires a high level of skill, dedication, and compassion.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

ccupational therapy is a critical healthcare profession that focuses on helping individuals.

OPTOMETRY

Optometry is a specialized branch of healthcare that focuses on the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of issues related to the eyes and visual system.

RADIOGRAPHY

Radiography is a crucial diagnostic imaging technique that allows medical professionals to visualize the internal structures of the body.

SPEECH PATHOLOGY

Speech pathology is a specialized field within healthcare that focuses on diagnosing and treating communication disorders.

VETERINARY SCIENCE

Veterinary science is a multifaceted field that encompasses the study and practice of medical care for animals of all shapes and sizes.

VERSION

OET exam structure

All four language skills are assessed in the OET exam:

Writing

Listening

Speaking

Reading

VERSION

OET exam structure

The OET exam structure is designed to comprehensively assess all four language skills – reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Each section of the exam is meticulously crafted to evaluate a candidate’s proficiency in English for healthcare settings. 

Writing

Listening

Speaking

Reading

OET Scoring

A score of 0 to 500 is assigned to each of the four OET sub-tests.
From E (lowest) to A (highest), the numerical score is converted into a letter grade.

 

GradePoints
A450 – 500
B350 – 440
C+300 – 340
C200 – 290
D100 – 190
E0 – 90

test structure

OET listening

About 40 minutes are allocated to the OET Listening sub-test.

Part A – Consultation extracts (about 5 minutes each): Two pre-recorded health professional-patient consultations will be played. As you listen to the health professional’s notes, you will need to identify specific information.

Part B – You’ll listen to six recorded extracts from the healthcare workplace (e.g. team briefings or handovers) and answer one multiple-choice question for each extract.

During Part C of the OET listening subtest, you will be asked to listen to a recording of a healthcare presentation or interview for about 5 minutes. Two extracts will be heard, followed by six multiple-choice questions.

OET reading

A total of 42 questions will be covered in the OET reading sub-test, which will last approximately 60 minutes.

There will be four short texts on the OET Reading sub-test that you will need to read and then source specific information from. This sub-test will last approximately 15 minutes. During the allocated time period, you will answer 20 questions about each of these short texts, which are related to a single healthcare topic.

In Part B, you will have 45 minutes to complete careful reading tasks. These tasks will involve six short texts from the healthcare workplace, each containing 100-150 words. These texts may include policy documents, hospital guidelines, manuals, or internal communications like emails and memos. Your performance will be evaluated based on your ability to determine the details or main point of each text.

OET writing

In the OET writing subtest, the tasks are based on an example of a typical workplace situation for each profession. It usually takes about 45 minutes to complete. Typically, you will be asked to write a referral letter, but it can also be a transfer letter or a discharge letter. You will receive stimulus material (i.e. case notes) to assist you in understanding the letter’s context.

Scoring in the OET writing sub-test is made against six criteria:

  • Purpose & Content
  • Genre & Style
  • Organization & Layout

OET speaking

It takes approximately 20 minutes to complete the OET Speaking sub-test, which is delivered individually. During each role-play scenario, you will take on your professional role while your interlocutor assumes the role of a patient, a client, or a patient’s relative or caregiver; you will be assessed on your ability to effectively communicate.

The OET speaking sub-test structure consists of two role-plays. During each role-play, you’ll be given a card with information about the situation.