Designed for Healthcare Professionals
OET has been developed specifically for 12 healthcare professions. Tests reflect real workplace tasks and relevant language skills.
Test Overview
OET is an international English language test that assesses the language communication skills of healthcare professionals who seek to register and practise in an English-speaking environment.
Assessment Structure
OET covers all four language skills with an emphasis on communication in a healthcare environment.
Listening
approx. 50 minutes
Same content for all healthcare professions.
Part A: recorded, simulated professional/patient consultation with note-taking questions.
Part B: recorded talk or lecture on health-related topic, with range of short and multiple choice answers.
Reading
1 hour
Same content for all healthcare professions.
Part A: skim and scan short health-related texts and complete a summary paragraph by filling in missing words.
Part B: read longer health-related texts and answer multiple-choice questions.
Writing
45 minutes
Specific to profession, based on typical workplace situations.
The task is to write a letter, usually a referral letter. Sometimes, especially for some professions, a different type of letter is required: e.g. a letter of transfer or discharge, or a letter to advise or inform a patient, carer, or group.
Speaking
approx. 20 minutes
Specific to profession, based on typical workplace situations.
In a private room you will take part in two role-plays. You take your professional role (as a healthcare professional) while the interlocutor plays a patient or client, or sometimes a relative or carer.
Why choose
OET?
OET is recommended by healthcare professionals. Gain confidence, new skills and
career benefits.
Test dates
& locations
OET is available every month
in 29 countries.
