OET Exam GuideEvery exam's format, scoring, and task types were checked against each exam board's own official documentation in July 2026.

Occupational English Test

Score range

0–500 per sub-test · Grade A–E

Duration

~3 hours

Format

Profession-specific — 12 healthcare professions

Sections

4

Format

Test format & sections

Listening

~40m · 42 questions

Part A: Note completion — 2 healthcare consultations (24q)Part B: MCQ — 6 workplace extracts (6q)Part C: MCQ — 2 longer talks (12q)

Part A: 2 healthcare consultations (~5 min each), fill in 12 blanks per consultation — capture essential clinical information accurately. Part B: 6 short single-question workplace extracts (handovers, briefings, instructions), one MCQ each. Part C: 2 longer presentation/interview extracts (~5 min each), 6 MCQ each.

Reading

60m · 42 questions

Part A: Speed reading text matching (20q)Part B: 6-option gap fill from one healthcare text (6q)Part C: MCQ — 2 longer articles testing inference and attitude (16q)

Part A: 4 short texts on the same healthcare theme — locate information quickly under time pressure. Part C articles come from medical journals or professional publications — inference and understanding the author's stance are key.

Writing

40m · 1 task

Referral letterDischarge summary letterTransfer letterAdvice / care management letter

Write a 180–200 word profession-specific letter from case notes. Marked on 6 official criteria, each banded 0–7: Purpose, Content, Conciseness & Clarity, Genre & Style, Organisation & Layout, Language. Common errors: including irrelevant clinical details, inappropriate tone, unclear purpose.

Speaking

~20m · 2 role-plays

History takingPatient / carer educationBreaking bad newsDischarge planningTreatment explanation

2 role-plays with a trained interlocutor playing a patient or carer. Each ~5 minutes with brief prep time. Profession-specific scenarios. Scored on: Relationship Building, Understanding Patient Perspective, Providing Structure, Information Gathering/Giving, Linguistic Criteria.

Scoring

How OET is scored

Each sub-test scored independently 0–500, then converted to a Grade (A–E). Listening and Reading use statistical scaling. Writing and Speaking are marked by trained OET raters.

Score levels

450–500 (A)
Distinction — well above pass
350–440 (B)
Pass — required by most boards
300–340 (C+)
Below pass — accepted by some boards for one sub-test
200–290 (C)
Below pass
0–190 (D/E)
Fail

Typical requirements

Grade B (350+)UK: GMC, GDC, NMC, GPhC, HCPC registration
Grade B (350+)AU: AHPRA registration (all professions)
Grade B (350+)NZ, UAE, Singapore, Ireland regulatory boards
Grade A (450+)Some dental / pharmacy councils require Grade A
FAQ

OET frequently asked questions

Who is OET for?

OET (Occupational English Test) is designed specifically for healthcare professionals. It is currently available for 12 professions: Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Veterinary Science, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Podiatry, and Optometry.

How is OET scored?

Each of the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) is graded A–E, where A is the highest. There is also a numeric score (0–500) for each skill. Most healthcare regulators require a minimum of Grade B in all four sub-tests.

How long are OET scores valid?

2 years from the test date for most regulatory bodies. Some may accept scores up to 3 years old — always verify with the specific regulatory body in your country.

How is the Writing sub-test different from other exams?

The OET Writing task is profession-specific. You receive case notes relevant to your healthcare role and must write a letter — typically a referral, transfer, or discharge letter. The task tests clinical communication, not general writing ability.

Is OET accepted for UK NMC registration?

Yes — OET is accepted by the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as an alternative to IELTS. The minimum requirement is Grade B in all four components. It is also accepted by the GMC, GDC, GPhC, and HCPC in the UK.

Can I retake individual OET sub-tests?

Yes — OET allows you to retake individual sub-tests (Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking) rather than the full test, as long as your existing results are still within the 2-year validity window.