Occupational English Test (OET)
OET is a well-respected English language test for the healthcare sector that assesses the language and communication skills of healthcare professionals. OET provides a valid and reliable assessment for all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking.
Many organizations, including hospitals, universities and colleges, are using OET as proof of a candidate’s ability to communicate effectively in a demanding healthcare environment. It provides a valid and reliable assessment of all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking- with an emphasis on communication in healthcare sector. OET tests health professionals from the following 12 professions:
- Dentistry
- Dietetics
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Optometry
- Occupational therapy
- Pharmacy
- Physiotherapy
- Podiatry
- Radiography
- Speech Pathology
- Veterinary Science
Test Format
OET assesses listening, reading, writing and speaking.
| Paper (Duration) | Content | Remarks |
| Listening
(approx. 50 minutes) |
2 tasks
Common to all 12 professionals |
Follow and understand a range of health-related spoken materials such as patient consultations and lectures. |
| Reading (60 minutes) | 2 tasks
Common to all 12 professionals |
Read and understand different types of text on health-related subjects. |
| Writing (45 minutes)
Reading time: 5 minutes Writing time: 40 minutes |
1 task
Specific to each profession |
Write a letter in a clear and accurate way which is relevant for the reader. |
| Speaking (20 minutes) | 2 tasks
Specific to each profession |
Effectively communicate in a real-life context through the use of role-plays. |
Reporting result
Candidates receive a separate grade for each sub-test, ranging from A (highest) to E (lowest). There is no overall grade for OET.
| OET Grade | Description |
| A | Very high level of performance |
| B | High level of performance, i.e. able to use English with fluency and accuracy adequate for professional needs. |
| C | Good level of performance; however, not acceptable to a range of health and medical councils |
| D | Moderate level of performance: requires improvement |
| E | Low level of performance: requires considerable improvement |
Who recognizes OET?
Many organizations, including hospitals, universities and colleges, are using OET as proof of a candidate’s ability to communicate effectively in a demanding healthcare environment. OET is recognized and trusted by regulatory healthcare boards and councils in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.
Benefits of OET
- Builds confidence at work and study
- Learn the communication skills to grow in healthcare sector internationally
- Validity and reliability
- Highly secure and trustworthy