The Occupational English Test (OET) is recognised in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, as an English language assessment for international healthcare professionals. In the UK, the test is accepted by both the General Medical Council as evidence of the English language proficiency required to practise as a doctor, and the Nursing and Midwifery Council for those seeking to practise as nurses.

Similar to IELTS, the OET evaluates the four main language skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. However, the OET is specifically designed for healthcare professionals and focuses on the type of English used in medical and clinical environments. Because of its professional focus, many doctors and nurses consider the OET to be more relevant to their daily work and a more practical measure of their ability to communicate effectively in healthcare settings.

The test is tailored to different healthcare professions. For example, the OET for Doctors and the OET for Nurses are slightly different to reflect the specific communication skills required in each profession.

Structure of the OET

Listening (approximately 50 minutes)
This section includes two tasks that are common across all healthcare professions. It assesses the candidate’s ability to understand a variety of spoken healthcare-related materials, such as patient consultations and professional discussions.

Reading (60 minutes)
This section also includes two tasks common to all healthcare professions. It evaluates the ability to read and understand different types of texts related to healthcare topics.

Writing (45 minutes)
The writing component includes one task that is specific to the candidate’s profession. Candidates are required to produce a clear and accurate professional letter that is appropriate for the intended reader.

Speaking (approximately 20 minutes)
This section consists of two tasks designed specifically for each profession. It assesses the candidate’s ability to communicate effectively in real-life healthcare situations, often through role-play scenarios that reflect interactions between healthcare professionals and patients.

Duration – 2 weeks full time or 4 weeks part-time

Start dates – Our courses are scheduled so that students can take the test immediately after taking our course.