What Is the OET Exam? Format, Scoring and Who Accepts It
OET, the Occupational English Test, is an English language test for healthcare professionals. It has four sub-tests (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking), is offered for 12 professions and reports each sub-test on a scale from 0 to 500. Regulators in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and the USA accept it for registration and certification.
What does OET stand for, and who is it for?
OET stands for Occupational English Test. It was designed for healthcare professionals, so the tasks use the language of real clinical work rather than general or academic English. According to the OET Test overview, it is tailored to 12 professions: Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Radiography, Speech Pathology and Veterinary Science.
Most people sit OET because a regulator, employer or certification body asks for proof of English: for example a nurse joining the NMC register in the UK, or an international medical graduate applying to ECFMG in the USA. If you work in another field, a general English test such as IELTS is usually the better fit. Our OET vs IELTS comparison covers that choice.
OET exam format and timing
Listening and Reading are the same for every profession. Writing and Speaking match the profession you booked.
| Sub-test | Time | What you do | Profession-specific? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | About 40 minutes | 42 questions. Part A: 24 questions from two consultations. Part B: 6 questions on short workplace extracts. Part C: 12 questions on two longer talks. | No |
| Reading | 60 minutes | 42 questions. Part A: 20 questions in 15 minutes. Parts B and C: 6 and 16 questions in the remaining 45 minutes. | No |
| Writing | 45 minutes | One formal letter from case notes, such as a referral, a transfer, a discharge or a letter of advice. | Yes |
| Speaking | About 20 minutes | Two role-plays with an interlocutor. You get 3 minutes to prepare each card and each role-play lasts about 5 minutes. | Yes |
That makes about two and a half hours for Listening, Reading and Writing, plus about 20 minutes of Speaking. Sources: OET Test overview, OET results and scoring. To see the tasks for yourself, use the free OET sample tests, our Writing samples and our Speaking role-play cards.
Three ways to take OET
The content is the same type of test. The mode changes how you sit it, when bookings close and how quickly results arrive.
| OET on Paper | OET on Computer | OET@Home | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Test venue, all four sub-tests on one day | Test venue; Speaking is usually online on a different day | Remote and proctored, where venue testing is not available |
| Professions | 7 of the 12 | All 12 | All 12 |
| Booking closes | 24 days before | 7 days before | 7 days before |
| Results | From 13 days (from 5 days in India and the Philippines) | In as little as 48 hours; 95% within 6 calendar days | In as little as 48 hours |
Check that your regulator accepts the mode before you book: several do not accept OET@Home. Read more in OET on computer vs paper.
How is OET scored?
Each sub-test gets its own score 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. |
In Listening and Reading each correct answer earns one mark out of 42. OET says candidates awarded grade B (350) typically achieve at least 30 marks. Writing is marked against six criteria and Speaking against linguistic and clinical communication criteria. Source: OET results and scoring. For the pass marks in detail, read the OET passing score explained, or try the OET score calculator.
Who accepts OET?
OET is accepted for healthcare registration in several countries. Each body sets its own minimum scores and rules.
| Country | Accepted by (examples) | Typical minimum |
|---|---|---|
| UK | NMC (nurses, midwives), GMC (doctors), GPhC (pharmacists), HCPC (allied health) | B in each sub-test; the NMC accepts C+ in Writing; HCPC uses a total-score rule |
| Ireland | NMBI (nurses, midwives), Medical Council | B in each sub-test; NMBI accepts C+ in Writing |
| Australia | Ahpra and the National Boards | 350 Listening, 360 Reading, 350 Writing, 360 Speaking for tests from 23 April 2026 |
| New Zealand | Nursing Council, Medical Council | B, with C+ accepted in Writing |
| USA | ECFMG (doctors), CGFNS VisaScreen (nurses) | ECFMG: 350, 350, 300 Writing, 350 in one sitting |
Rules change, so always confirm on the regulator's own page. Our OET score requirements guide links to each one and covers sittings and validity. For full routes, see the UK, Australia, USA and Gulf pathway guides.
How much does OET cost, and when can you sit it?
The full test costs AU$587 in every mode, or US$455 for OET on Computer and OET@Home in the USA. See OET exam fees by country for the approximate cost in your currency. If your plans change, OET charges AU$120 or AU$200 to cancel or reschedule: see the OET cancellation and refund policy.
Paper sessions run on fixed dates about twice a month. Computer sessions run Monday to Saturday in most weeks, and OET has published them up to 29 June 2027. The full calendar with booking deadlines and results dates is on our OET test dates page.
Are you ready to start OET preparation?
OET is a high-level English exam, even though the content is clinical. In our experience, most candidates need at least a strong B2 level of English before exam preparation pays off. The fastest way to check is the free English placement test, which gives an indicative level for each skill.
From there, follow a 4, 8 or 12-week OET study plan, sit a full mock test before booking, and get your letters and role-plays marked. Courses by profession: doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, dentists and other allied health professions.
What is the OET exam: FAQ
What does OET stand for?
OET stands for Occupational English Test. It is an English language test designed for healthcare professionals and is offered for 12 professions.
Is OET only for doctors and nurses?
No. OET covers 12 professions: Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Radiography, Speech Pathology and Veterinary Science.
How long is the OET exam?
Listening takes about 40 minutes, Reading 60 minutes and Writing 45 minutes, so about two and a half hours together. Speaking takes about 20 minutes and, on computer, is usually on a different day.
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. Several accept 300 in Writing, and Ahpra asks for more in Reading and Speaking.
Is OET easier than IELTS?
Many healthcare professionals find OET more familiar because the tasks are clinical, but it is still a high-level English exam. OET grade B at 350 to 390 compares with IELTS 7.0 in OET's published benchmarking.
How long are OET results valid?
OET itself sets no validity period. Each regulator decides how old a result can be, and two years is common.
Find out where your English stands
Take the free placement test first, then choose a plan that matches the gap between your level and your target score.