OET Test

Our test is designed to assess English language ability, not medical knowledge. That means our test developers take care to minimise areas where test takers may use prior knowledge rather than language skills to respond.

That's why we have designed the OET Listening and Reading sub-tests to not be profession specific. They are common to all candidates and focus on a variety of issues of general medical and health interest. While some topics may include content that is familiar to one particular health practitioner’s area of experience and expertise, the language tasks and questions associated with the texts are designed to test language knowledge and ability.

The OET Writing and Speaking sub-tests are profession specific, which means the test materials reflect real workplace scenarios specific to the test-takers profession. We've designed the test this way because communicating via speaking and writing provides opportunities for candidates to draw on their professional experience to demonstrate their ability to communicate in common workplace situations.

For example, all medical professionals conduct consultations with patients/clients, but they are likely to need to engage with those patients/clients about different issues in different contexts. Research (Vidakovic & Khalifa, 2013) indicates that preparing for OET helps make candidates ready for the workplace and increases their confidence in communicating with patients and colleagues.

To ensure the OET Test meets the requirements for the recognising organisation with which you'd like to share your results, please consider: 

• Confirm with your Recognising Organisation:
  • the minimum OET Test results they'll accept 
  • which OET Test delivery modes they accept
  • if your OET Test results are required to be achieved in one sitting. 
• Confirm the test mode, profession, country, and venue availability on our booking page prior to booking your test. Not all delivery dates and testing modes are available in all countries, and you'll have to select your preferred test date and delivery mode when booking your test.

If you are not a health professional working towards registration in an English-speaking context, our test may not be the most suitable test of English language for your purposes.

The OET Test is an English language test that assesses the language and communication skills of healthcare professionals who seek to register and practise in an English-speaking environment. It is designed to focus on the communication needs of health professionals in the workplace and to provide a valid and reliable assessment of language skills in that setting. 

Regulatory authorities who recognise the OET Test as proof of English language proficiency do so on that basis. We recommend that you consult the relevant regulatory authorities before you decide to register for a test. See who recognises OET.

Here's a few things you'll need to know when you register and book the test: 

• To register, you must read and accept the OET Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy and OET Collection Notice; click ‘I Agree’ to complete your OET registration. Test Regulations are accessible via the Terms and Conditions. 
• Use a current personal email to register for OET; please do not use a university or workplace email address. (If you are applying for ECFMG certification, you must use the same email address as you used for ECFMG, personal or other email address.) 
• You must provide details of a valid identification (ID) for your booking. Be sure to upload a current photo that meets our requirements (find guidelines here). 
• You'll need to present the same ID on the test day for an ID verification process to ensure you are permitted to sit for the OET Test. 
• Fees for the OET Test are paid at the time of booking.
• Bookings are subject to availability.
• Our Test Regulations prohibit you from having more than one booking (within the same delivery mode or multiple delivery modes) per test administration. You may not be eligible for a full refund if you hold multiple bookings within the same test administration.