What is OET?
OET, the Occupational English Test, checks the English that health professionals use at work. It is owned by Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment and accepted by health regulators in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, the US and elsewhere.
| Sub-test | Time | What you do | Profession-specific? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | about 40 min | 42 questions: a consultation (Part A), workplace extracts (B), presentations and interviews (C) | No |
| Reading | 60 min | 42 questions: Part A is 15 minutes of fast reading, then Parts B and C | No |
| Writing | 45 min | One letter from case notes, usually a referral, about 180–200 words | Yes |
| Speaking | about 20 min | Two 5-minute role-plays with an interlocutor playing your patient | Yes |
Each sub-test is scored 0–500 and graded A to E; grade B (350) is the line most regulators use. Results come within days for computer tests. Sources: OET Test Handbook 2026, OET 2025 test statistics.
Start with the free sample tests, then read your profession's page and the letter guide for your most likely letter type. Every page starts with a one-line answer and ends with its sources.
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Questions candidates ask
What is OET?
OET, the Occupational English Test, is an English language test for healthcare professionals, owned by Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment. Regulators and employers in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, the Middle East and elsewhere accept it for registration or visas.
Which professions can take OET?
Twelve: dentistry, dietetics, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, podiatry, radiography, speech pathology and veterinary science.
Is OET easier than IELTS for nurses?
Many nurses find OET more familiar because every task is set in healthcare, but it isn't easy: in OET's 2025 statistics nurses averaged 313 in Listening and 303 in Reading, below the usual 350 line. Which test suits you depends on your regulator's lines and your strengths.
What score do I need in OET?
Most regulators want about 350 (grade B) in each sub-test, but AHPRA needs 350/360/350/360 for tests from 23 April 2026 and the NMC accepts 300 in Writing. Check your regulator's page for the exact lines.
Sources
Last checked 22 Oct 2026. Rules and prices change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
OETAce is an independent practice site. OET is a registered trademark of Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment (CBLA); we are not affiliated with or endorsed by CBLA. All practice material here is original.