FAQs

There are many aspects to being able to use a language effectively, and it is not unusual for candidates to have profiles which are uneven across the different component skills of Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Even within a single skill, a candidate may be relatively strong in certain areas (for example, fluency) and relatively weak in another (such as accuracy).

The OET assessment process is designed to provide a true and current reflection of your language ability as evidenced by your performance on the specific tasks on test day. There are many different aspects to language ability, and it is not unusual for candidates to perform differently due to specific test day factors, especially if their ability is close to the borderline between two score bands. We understand that it can be frustrating to be awarded different scores and that if you re-sit the test you want to be able to target your preparation. Although it is not possible for us to give individual feedback to candidates on their test day paper, there are patterns in performance that are relevant to many candidates. You can receive personalised feedback on your general writing capabilities by purchasing a feedback voucher.

Yes, you are welcome to apply to have one or more sub-tests remarked. However, you must do so within 72 hours of your results being published. Please see our remarking policy.

OET Assessors and CBLA staff follow strict assessment guidelines to ensure that results are accurate, including double marking, training and monitoring of Assessors, clerical checks, and statistical analysis. If your score remains the same after re-marking, this is because we have checked and verified that the scoring data has been handled accurately, and that the assessment criteria have been applied correctly. You can appeal the outcome of the re-marking if you believe the re-marking decision was not arrived at properly and fairly. The best way to perform well on OET is to ensure that your English language communication skills are at the required level. For more information on improving your performance in the test, please visit the Preparation Portal.

One of the strengths of human assessors marking OET candidate papers is that they are able to make judgements about the nuances of expression used by candidates and do not rely on formulaic responses being provided. However, the slightly different scores which may be awarded by different assessors could occasionally impact borderline candidate scores and as a result these scores may change following a re-marking exercise.

Most recognising boards and councils require candidates to score at least 350 in each of the four sub-tests. But to make sure you’re up-to-date with requirements, always check with the relevant boards and councils that regulate your profession.

The length of time the results are recognised as valid is decided by the authorities that recognise OET (e.g. boards and councils, government departments). Always check your authority’s website for details to make sure you know their requirements. The Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) also publicises their requirements on their website.

You should always check the English Language Proficiency Requirements of your regulatory authority. This is not a matter of OET policy.

We take very seriously our responsibility to candidates and to recognising authorities for identifying, investigating and acting on cases of suspected malpractice. Irrespective of whether suspected test day cheating is reported, all OET test responses are routinely subject to statistical and qualitative analysis for the detection of unusual response patterns and irregular score profiles. Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment (CBLA, the owner of OET) reserves the right to withhold results while malpractice investigations are in progress. CBLA may share the details of any investigation, including candidate information, with relevant regulatory authorities and law enforcement agencies. You can find our policy on malpractice in the OET Test Regulations and Notice to Candidates.

If you are not a health professional working towards registration in an English-speaking context, OET may not be the most suitable test of English language for your purposes.
OET 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.
We recommend that you consult the relevant regulatory authorities before you decide to register for a test.

No, OET does not provide a generic test. OET tasks are contextualised and work-related and they target the following 12 professions:
Dentistry, Dietetics, Medicine, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Radiography, Speech Pathology, and Veterinary Science.
If your profession is not one of the 12 listed above, you may choose to sit the OET test for the profession which is closest to your own. For example, we understand that sonography registrants have taken the OET Radiography test, and that orthotics registrants have taken the OET Physiotherapy test. You may want to consider the sample tests available to get some idea of the test content for each profession.

The OET is a test of English language ability, not of medical knowledge, and our test developers take care to minimise areas where candidates may use prior knowledge rather than language skills to respond. The OET Listening and Reading sub-tests are therefore not 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, over and above the candidate’s knowledge of that field.
The OET Writing and Speaking sub-tests are profession specific in the sense that a candidate’s profession determines which test materials they are given. The reason for this is that the communicative skills of writing and speaking provide opportunities for candidates to draw on their professional role in order to demonstrate their level of 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.

Research indicates that the test is appropriate in content and difficulty for the healthcare workplace.
CBLA, in partnership with the LTRC and Cambridge Assessment English, is engaged in an ongoing programme of research and validation to ensure that OET continues to reflect the demands of communication in the workplace and that the test experience continues to have a positive impact on candidates and other stakeholders.

As a future test taker, it is only normal to ask yourself about the difference between the OET and other English language tests, such as IELTS, TOEFL or PTE. While all of these tests will examine the four essential language skills – reading, writing, speaking and listening – it is important to remember that OET is quite different. The OET has been designed to assess the English language skills of healthcare professionals, with a unique manner of testing and a scientific approach to the assessment process. It is sufficient to check out the sample questions and you will see how OET differs from other English language tests. Moreover, given its one-of-a-kind structure and testing, you should expect it to have a higher difficulty rate (in comparison to the majority of the English language tests out there).

Will a doctor take the same test as a nurse? And how about a physiotherapist – will he/she have the same testing experience with an occupational therapist? The answer to both questions is no. Each Occupational English Test has four sub-tests, meaning Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. This structure remains the same, regardless of the profession for which you are taking the test. All test takers, no matter their profession, will have the same Reading and Listening sub-tests on their exam. However, both Writing and Speaking sub-tests are different, in accordance to the profession for which you are examined.

OET is held in several countries across the world, and every candidate has book the exam through the same website. Online application is pretty easy but can take time if the process is not understood well. . Please read this article on how to apply online.

The usage of abbreviations is a matter of great concern for test takers, especially with regard to how it might affect their score. Well, abbreviations are allowed to be used in the Writing, Listening and Reading sub-tests. You are advised, however, to write what they stand for, in order to ensure the content will be understood. For the Listening sub-test, abbreviations can be used, without having to worry about the impact on the overall score. However, when it comes to the Writing sub-test, you might want to steer away from using uncommon abbreviations. These can create difficulties for the assessors, resulting in a low-grade. It is for the best to pay attention to such matters when taking the Writing sub-test.

The examination fee for the OET is $587 AUD. However, candidates outside Australia will need to check the exchange rate applicable on the day.

OET test is held once a month only. This is usually on the second or the third Saturday of the month. You can check exam dates here. The OET can be taken in approximately 40 countries, at one of the 110 locations, with test dates being available every month. The test is usually held at an exam center, English language school or reputed university, and you can check the available test dates and locations online. It is important to know that, while test dates are available every month, the registration is only open for the next two test dates at a time. When you apply for the Occupational English Test, be sure to take this into consideration.

The OET result will be published in your online profile, approximately 17 business days after each test day. You will also receive a statement of results by mail, 10 days after the online publication. The statement of results will present your grade, with A being the highest and E the lowest, for each of the four sub-tests.

Yes, you can make a request for re-marking. This is possible in the situation you believe your sub-test results are not accurate. The request for re-marking has to be made within 5 days from the date your results have been published in the online profile. You will have to complete the OET re-marking form and wait for the assessors to go over your tests. If the re-marking results in a change of your grade, this will be published in your online profile as well (update). You will also receive a new statement of results, by mail. It is essential to be aware of the fact that there is a $120 fee for each re-marked sub-test, this amount being necessary to cover the administrative fees (including the hiring of the assessors).