21/11/2025
What is OET?
OET stands for Occupational English Test. It's an English language proficiency test designed for healthcare professionals, including nurses, doctors, dentists, and other medical practitioners. The test assesses their English language skills in a healthcare context, and it's often required for registration and licensing purposes in countries like the US 🇺🇸, UK 🇬🇧, Australia 🇦🇺, and New Zealand 🇳🇿.
This test is designed for healthcare professionals, assessing their English language skills in a healthcare context. Here's what you need to know about the test structure.
The OET exam consists of four sub-tests as same as the IELTS.
1. Listening
Approximately 40-45 minutes long, with topics of generic healthcare interest. This section assesses your ability to understand spoken English in real-life healthcare settings
2. Reading
60 minutes long, with 42 questions in total. This section tests your ability to understand written English in healthcare contexts
3. Writing
45 minutes long, profession-specific. You'll typically write a referral or discharge letter
4. Speaking
20 minutes long, includes two role-play scenarios specific to your profession
