The OET is an international English test for healthcare professionals. It is recognised by government healthcare bodies around the world to assess the language communication skills of medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, dentists and allied health professionals.
In the UK, both the GMC and NMC recognise OET. The GMC requires overseas doctors to score a Grade B in each of the four papers – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. While the NMC requires nurses to score Grade B in Listening, Reading and Speaking and a Grade C+ or above in writing – to register with them to practice.
OET tests a wide range of healthcare English, including the ability to communicate effectively in medical scenarios, write a referral letter, understand a patient consultation, or follow a text adapted from a medical journal.
Booking an OET test
OET is available at more than 120 locations in 40 countries, with 14 test dates per year.
There are three main ways to take the OET test:
On paper at a test centre, on computer at a test centre or at home. If you wish to know more, click here.
SLC offers a wide range of options for healthcare professionals.
Preparing for an important test like OET is very important, you should aim to understand the language, techniques and strategies to succeed.
Choose the perfect preparation course for you:
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Not sure what’s best for you? Then get in touch!
Specialist Language Courses (SLC) are experts in Medical English, IELTS and OET preparation. We work with thousands of candidates every year and specialise in working with healthcare professionals. Clients include many NHS Trusts and private healthcare groups in the UK.
Call or email SLC to talk about your Medical English, OET and IELTS options.
If you are booking your OET test on a test venue, it closes 10 days before the test date (11:59PM UTC time). If you are booking through OET@Home, then it closes 7 days before the test date (11:59PM UTC time).
The OET exam is limited by the availability but also OET Test Regulations prohibits you from having more than one booking per test administration. In the same test administration it is not possible to have have multiple bookings across delivery modes.
Yes. OET allows you to resit and take the test on one section at a time. This can help you improve your score for a specific sub-test and to pass the OET exam if one section didn’t got the required score. But make sure you check the requirements of the healthcare board or authority where you are applying, as they only accept certificates which show you took all 4 papers at the same time.
It is valid for 2 years, however there are some organisations that may accept OET results after 2 years, which usually are subject to certain conditions.
Getting a B grade is not easy, but it is a grade that is required by most healthcare bodies. High quality preparation is key. SLC offers excellent preparation courses that will help you achieve a B grade. For more information, click here if you are a Doctor or here if you are a Nurse.
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