OET Passing Score: What Score Do You Need to Pass OET?
OET has no single pass mark, because each regulator sets its own. The usual target is grade B, which is 350 out of 500, in every sub-test. In Listening and Reading that typically means at least 30 correct answers out of 42. Several regulators accept 300 (grade C+) in Writing, and Ahpra in Australia asks for more.
OET grades and score bands
Each sub-test is reported separately from 0 to 500, in steps of 10, and each score maps to a letter grade.
| Grade | Score (0 to 500) | What it means for registration |
|---|---|---|
| A | 450 to 500 | Above every common regulator minimum. |
| B | 350 to 440 | The usual pass: the minimum most regulators ask for in each sub-test. |
| C+ | 300 to 340 | Accepted for Writing by the NMC, NMBI, ECFMG and both New Zealand councils. Below the GMC and Ahpra minimums. |
| C | 200 to 290 | Below the usual registration minimums. |
| D | 100 to 190 | Below the usual registration minimums. |
| E | 0 to 90 | Below the usual registration minimums. |
Regulators look at each sub-test on its own, so one strong score does not make up for a weak one under most rules. Source: OET results and scoring. Enter your own results in the OET score calculator to see each grade and whether it meets your regulator's minimum.
OET pass marks by regulator
These are the minimums for the test dates current on 7 November 2026. Each regulator can change them, so confirm on its own page before you book.
| Regulator | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NMC (UK nurses, midwives) | 350 | 350 | 300 | 350 |
| GMC (UK doctors) | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 |
| GPhC (UK pharmacists) | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 |
| NMBI (Irish nurses, midwives) | 350 | 350 | 300 | 350 |
| Medical Council of Ireland | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 |
| Ahpra (Australia, tests from 23 April 2026) | 350 | 360 | 350 | 360 |
| Nursing Council of New Zealand | 350 | 350 | 300 | 350 |
| Medical Council of New Zealand | 350 | 350 | 300 | 350 |
| ECFMG (USA, 2027 Pathways) | 350 | 350 | 300 | 350 |
The HCPC (UK allied health) uses a total-score rule instead: 1400 with no element below 300 for most professions. Sitting rules, OET@Home acceptance and validity are in the full OET score requirements guide.
OET pass mark for nurses
For the NMC in the UK, nurses and midwives need OET Nursing with 350 in Listening, Reading and Speaking, and 300 (C+) in Writing. NMBI in Ireland and the Nursing Council of New Zealand ask for the same scores. Ahpra in Australia asks for more: 350 Listening, 360 Reading, 350 Writing and 360 Speaking for tests from 23 April 2026.
Nursing candidates usually spend most of their effort on Writing and Speaking. Start with our nursing Writing sample and nursing role-play cards, or see the OET course for nurses.
OET Medicine passing score
The GMC in the UK requires OET Medicine with at least grade B (350) in all four sub-tests, in the same test and your most recent sitting. The Medical Council of Ireland also asks for B in each module in a single sitting. ECFMG in the USA accepts 300 in Writing and 350 in the other three, all in one sitting. Full detail is in OET for ECFMG and the UK pathway guide.
Because doctors usually need four grade Bs together, one low sub-test means retaking everything. See the OET course for doctors and our Medicine Writing sample.
What is 30 out of 42 in OET?
Listening and Reading each have 42 questions worth one mark, and OET converts your raw mark to the 0 to 500 scale. OET says candidates awarded grade B (350) typically achieve at least 30 marks. That is a guide rather than a fixed rule, because the conversion can vary slightly between test versions, and OET does not publish a full raw-mark chart. Treat any online chart that gives an exact raw mark for every score as an estimate.
Writing and Speaking have no raw mark out of 42. Writing is marked on six criteria: Purpose, Content, Conciseness and Clarity, Genre and Style, Organisation and Layout, and Language. Speaking is marked on four linguistic criteria and five clinical communication criteria. Source: OET results and scoring.
What if you just miss your score?
A score of 340 is one 10-point step below grade B. First check your regulator: 340 passes Writing for the NMC but not for the GMC. Some regulators let you combine two sittings within 12 months, and others do not. Retaking OET after a near miss explains your options, including re-marking. A full retake costs AU$587: see OET exam fees.
OET passing score: FAQ
What is the passing score for OET?
There is no single pass mark because each regulator sets its own. Most ask for grade B, which is 350 out of 500, in each sub-test. The NMC, NMBI, ECFMG and the New Zealand councils accept 300 in Writing, and Ahpra asks for 360 in Reading and Speaking.
Is 350 a pass in OET?
For most regulators, yes. A score of 350 is grade B, the minimum most regulators ask for. Ahpra is the main exception, because it asks for 360 in Reading and Speaking for tests from 23 April 2026.
Is C+ a pass in OET?
Only for Writing with some regulators. The NMC, NMBI, ECFMG and the New Zealand councils accept 300 (C+) in Writing. The GMC and Ahpra do not.
How many marks out of 42 do I need to pass OET?
OET says candidates awarded grade B (350) typically achieve at least 30 marks out of 42 in Listening and in Reading. The exact conversion can vary slightly between test versions.
What is the OET pass mark for nurses in the UK?
The NMC asks for 350 in Listening, Reading and Speaking, and 300 in Writing.
Do I need to pass all four OET sub-tests at once?
It depends on your regulator. The GMC, GPhC, NMBI and ECFMG require one sitting. The NMC and Ahpra can accept two sittings within 12 months under their own rules.
Know how far you are from your score
Check your level with the free placement test, then get your letters and role-plays marked against the criteria OET uses.