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The OET is recognized and accepted in various countries worldwide. It focuses on healthcare communication and language proficiency to ensure that healthcare professionals have the right language skills to provide effective patient care.
Are you thinking about taking the OET exam but unclear if it will be recognised in your nation? Well, the OET (Occupational English Test) is accepted as valid evidence of English language ability by many nations and organisations around the world. OET has become well-known as a dependable language test for healthcare workers from Australia to the United Kingdom and even Saudi Arabia. So, if you’re interested in learning more about the nations that accept the OET, keep reading!
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What is OET?
- OET stands for Occupational English Test. The tests aim to evaluate the linguistic proficiency of medical professionals who aspire to render medical services in an English-speaking environment.
- The course is an elaborative test that evaluates all four core aspects of the English language including listening, reading, writing, and speaking in context with the professional communication in the healthcare system.
- The test results ensure that the aspirant has due command over the language and can communicate with the patients, colleagues, doctors, etc. As communication is the core of a successful healthcare system, the aspirants who qualify OET are considered eligible to take up medical professional jobs in healthcare facilities.
Who conducts the OET exam?
Designed by Professor Tim McNamara in the late 1980s, the OET exam was first conducted under the guidance of the Australian National Office for Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR). Over the years, under the University of Melbourne’s Language Testing Research Centre and Cambridge Assessment English, the OET exam or Occupational English Testing has gone through several research and developments to keep pace with the current trends and since 2013, OET has been conducted and owned by Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment Trust (CBLA), a venture between Cambridge Assessment English and Box Hill Institute.
Who accepts the OET exam?
Healthcare professionals who are looking to study or work in the healthcare sector in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Maldives, Malta, Namibia, New Zealand, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America are required to take the OET exam. As these are the countries that largely recognize the OET test.
Why choose the OET exam?
Healthcare professionals who are required to prove their English proficiency to be able to work or study in the healthcare sector in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Maldives, Malta, Namibia, New Zealand, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America are required to appear for the OET test.
OET Accepted Countries and Grades For Nurses
The demand for medical professionals is at its highest and those who aspire to work in the United States in the medical industry have some great opportunities knocking on their doors. As per the recent update, The International Medical Graduates (IMG’s) and nurses worldwide can now seek opportunities in the US Healthcare System using the English proficiency test – OET.
Countries Accepting OET For Nurses
Listed below are the OET- acceptable countries:
- Australia
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- United States of America.
- India
- Ireland
- Maldives
- Malta
- New Zealand
- Philippines
- Qatar
- Singapore
- Spain
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- Namibia
- Egypt
OET Scores/ Grades for Nurses
Nurses applying to Oregon must achieve a minimum of 4 Grade Bs (minimum score of 350) and those nurses applying for licensure in Florida must achieve a minimum of 4 Grade C+s (minimum score of 300). Generally, International Medical Graduates (IMGs) for Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) Certification must score a minimum of 350 (Grade B) in the test.
It is the International Medical Education and Research or ECFMG Certification that evaluates the international medical graduates (IMGs) readiness to enter residency or fellowship programs in the US. ECFMG certifications are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, to obtain a license to practise from a Medical Licensing Authority.
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OET Grading Scale
Those who have appeared in OET exam, they can view their OET test scores after 16 days from the test date. As OET exam consists of 4 subtests and each one of them is marked on a scale of 0-500. OET doesn’t publish overall grade for OET performance of the candidate. They have to map it of their own by clubbing separate letter grade for each subtest which ranges from A (highest) to E (Lowest).
Grades Description
| Grades | Description of capability |
|---|---|
| A | This grade includes numeric score between 450-500. By this score and grade, it is considered that the candidate can communicate well and have a fluency in English language. He/she can fluently and effectively communicate with both patients and healthcare professions using appropriate register tone and lexis. The candidate has a deep understanding of written and spoken language. |
| B | It includes score between 350-440. This grade and score shows that the candidate an communicate effectively with patients and health professionals. There could be occasional inaccuracies and hesitations. This shows good understanding in a range of clinical contexts. |
| C+ & C |
C+ grade is given to the person getting marks between 300-340 and C to those who have obtained marks between 200-290. This means that the candidate can maintain the interaction in a relevant healthcare environment despite occasional errors and lapses. The candidate follows standard spoken language normally encountered in their filed o specialization. |
| D | It includes scores between 100-190. This shows that the candidate can maintain some interaction and understand straightforward factual information o the his/her field of specialization, but may ask for clarification. Inaccuracies could be frequent and miss or overuse of technical language can cause strain in communication. |
| E | This grade is given to the candidate who has scored between 0-90. This shows that candidate can manage simple interaction on familiar topics and understand the main point in short and simple messages. He/she can ask for frequent clarifications. |
Acceptable OET Score for Different Countries:
| Country | Grades |
| United States of America | Minimum 350 on the Listening, Reading, and Speaking sub-tests, and a minimum score of 300 on the Writing sub-test |
| Canada | Minimum B Grade in all four sub-tests |
| UK | At least 350 (Grade B) in each of the four sub-tests |
| Australia | Minimum B Grade in all four sub-tests |
| Ireland | Minimum C+ for writing
Minimum B for speaking, listening, and reading |
| Spain | N/A |
| New Zealand | A minimum score of 350 for reading, listening, and speaking; and a minimum score of 300 for writing for Nursing |
| Singapore | At least Grade B |
| UAE | Minimum C in all sub-tests |
| Qatar | An average score of 350 in all sections |
| Malta | Minimum B in all sub-tests |
| Philippines | Minimum C in listening, reading, and speaking
Minimum C+ in writing |
| Namibia | N/A |
| Maldives | N/A |
| Egypt | N/A |
Acceptable OET Grades for Different Countries:
| Countries | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
| AUSTRALIA | B | B | B | B |
| NEW ZEALAND | B | B | B | B |
| IRELAND | B | B | C+ | B |
| THE UK | B | B | C+ | B |
| THE USA: OREGON | B | B | B | B |
| THE USA: FLORIDA | C+ | C+ | C+ | C+ |
| THE UAE | B | B | B | B |
| THE PHILIPPINES | B | B | C+ | B |
| NAMIBIA | B | B | B | B |
| UKRAINE | B | B | B | B |
| SINGAPORE | B | B | B | B |
| MALTA | C+ | C+ | C+ | B |
| SPAIN | B | B | B | B |
| CANADA | B | B | B | B |
| Maldives | C | C | C | C |
| Qatar | B | B | B | B |
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OET Accepted Grades for Each Countries
OET grades accepted in the US
The grades that International Medical Graduates (IMGs) are expected to obtain in each of the four components of the OET exam (Medicine) are a minimum of 350 (Grade B). The Educational Commission necessitates this for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), which assesses whether or not a candidate who is an IMG is eligible to enter residency or fellowship programs which the Accreditation Council has recognised for Graduate Medical Education and later receive their license from a Medical Licensing Authority.
According to the Oregon State Board of Nursing, the grades required for Nursing are 350 or Grade Bs on each of the components. The Florida Nursing Board, however, requires 300 or 4 Grade C+s on the four components.
OET is currently working closely with other medical authorities to determine acceptable grades for other healthcare professionals and nurses in states other than Oregon and Florida.
OET grades accepted in Canada
Canada is also one of the most favoured Occupational English Test-acceptable countries among healthcare professionals. In order to be eligible to work in the Canadian healthcare sector, individuals must attain a minimum grade of B or 350 on each of the components of the Occupational English Test exam. OET results are accepted by The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia.
OET grades accepted in the UK
The Nursing and Midwifery Council determines the acceptability of OET grades in the UK. The grades required in the UK are at least grade B or 350 in the three components of listening, reading, and speaking, and a minimum of C+ or 300 in the writing component. Attaining these grades would enable Occupational English Test-qualified healthcare professionals to register themselves, study, work, and receive visas in the UK.
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OET grades accepted in Australia
One of the significant OET acceptable countries is Australia, where The Australian Health Care Councils/Boards/Agencies have established grades of A or B for all individuals in the healthcare professions, such as nursing personnel, doctors, occupational therapists, pharmacists and others.
OET grades accepted in Ireland
The OET grades deemed acceptable in Ireland have been reduced to a minimum of C+ or 300 on the listening and reading components for nurses and midwives who want to pursue professional opportunities in the country and have received their training abroad. However, the grades for speaking and writing have been kept at a minimum of B or 350.
OET grades accepted in Spain
In Spain, healthcare professionals must obtain a minimum grade of B in all four subtests of the Occupational English Test exam in order to be eligible to practice within their respective disciplines. Spain considers proficiency on the OET exam to be equivalent to the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference. It is one of the widely recognised standards of linguistic ability.
OET grades accepted in Malta
Minimum OET grades of B (350-440) in speaking and C+ (300 and 340) for reading, writing, and listening are required to be eligible to work as a healthcare professional in Malta.
OET grades accepted in New Zealand
New Zealand is among the most popular OET acceptable countries for healthcare professionals. The Nursing Council of New Zealand has stated that a healthcare professional must achieve a minimum score of 350 or Grade B for each component in order to render their services as healthcare personnel in the country. Immigration to New Zealand permits international healthcare personnel to appear for the OET exam for their visa application and healthcare registration.
OET grades accepted in Singapore
Healthcare professionals need to register themselves with the concerned healthcare board in order to be eligible to work in Singapore. Doctors must achieve a minimum grade of B across the four subtests of the OET exam. Grades must have been obtained in the last two years in order to be considered acceptable in Singapore.
OET grades accepted in the Philippines
Healthcare regulators in the Philippines expect nurses willing to work there to obtain a minimum grade of B in the Occupational English Test listening, reading, and speaking components and at least a C+ in writing. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has accepted OET as a test of English proficiency since 2017, and it comprises a computerised test with multiple choice questions along with an observed structured clinical examination (OSCE).
OET grades accepted in the UAE
The UAE is also a favoured destination among all the OET acceptable countries. The minimum acceptable grades are B across all the subtests of the Occupational English Test. The Dubai Government’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) entered an agreement with OET and it now recognises the test as an indicator of proficiency in the English language.
OET grades accepted in Qatar
In order to be eligible to seek work or education in the healthcare professions in Qatar, candidates need to achieve grades of at least B (350-440) in all four components of OET. However, if candidates have a partner or child, they need only score a minimum of grade C across all the four components of the OET exam.
OET grades accepted in Namibia
In Namibia, a minimum grade of 350 or B is considered to be acceptable for healthcare personnel wishing to work in the country. It is recognised as an acceptable test of English linguistic prowess.
OET grades accepted in Maldives
OET is accepted in the Maldives as an indicator of English language proficiency. The acceptable grades for staff nurses are a minimum OET score of C or 200-290. There is also an age bar of 25 – 40 years in the Maldives.
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OET Exam Eligibility 2023
Candidates looking to appear for the Occupational English Test exam are required to closely follow the Occupational English Test eligibility guidelines to be able to register for the OET test.
OET Eligibility: Age Requirements
CBLA, the conducting body of the Occupational English Test exam has not mentioned any age limit for the OET exam. There are no age criteria for candidates wanting to appear for the Occupational English Test exam. Hence, candidates wanting to go abroad to countries that accept OET are required to register for the Occupational English Test exam on the official website.
OET Eligibility: Education Qualification
Again, CBLA has not laid down any specific educational qualifications required by the candidate to appear for the Occupational English Test Exam. Hence, as long as the student is looking to work in the health care sector he fits the OET eligibility. Candidates should just note that the Occupational English Test exam is accepted by healthcare professionals who are looking to work or study in the healthcare sector in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Maldives, Malta, Namibia, New Zealand, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America.
OET Clubbing Accepted Countries
OET Clubbing requires OET results in two sittings. Candidates can even achieve the requisite grades by clubbing the grades obtained by them over a period of six months. OET clubbing accepted countries are listed below:
- Australia,
- The UK
- Spain
- Ireland
OET Score Clubbing
Combining OET Scores
Candidates can currently combine their OET results from two test sessions. The UK’s Nursing and Midwifery regulatory authority now accept combining OET results from two sittings. The OET criteria and combination are described in further detail below.
The NMC will now accept combined OET scores if no sub-test results are more than half the grades below the required mark. The individual test results from both tests can be C for Writing and C+ for Listening, Reading and Speaking to be eligible for clubbing, but the combined scores still need to be C+ for writing and B for listening, reading, and speaking.
The NMC will now accept combined OET scores if no sub-test results are more than half the grades below the required mark. The individual test results from both tests can be C for Writing and C+ for Listening, Reading and Speaking to be eligible for clubbing, but the combined scores still need to be C+ for writing and B for listening, reading, and speaking.
OET Score Clubbing : Needs
You can achieve the required mark across two test sittings if:
- You’re tested in all four sections at the same time
- All grades in both sittings are above grade C+, and
- You achieve at least a grade C+ in the writing section and at least a grade B in the reading, listening and speaking sections in either of the two test sittings.
Combined OET Scores: Accepted
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
| Test 1 | B | B | C+ | B |
| Test 2 | B | C+ | B | B |
In either of the two test sessions, the candidate received at least a grade B in the listening, speaking, and reading sections and at least a grade C+ in the writing component. No score fell below a grade C+.
Another change to the rules for clubbing is that the NMC has extended the period for combining scores. Previously, the period was 6 months, and the new rules have extended this to 12 months. This change will give students more time to prepare before retaking the test and give them more flexibility when scheduling their exams.
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FAQs
Q. Which countries accept Occupational English Test results?
Ans: Occupational English Test results are accepted as proof of English language skills worldwide, including in the UK, the USA, Canada, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
Q. What is the lowest Occupational English Test score for nurses?
Ans: Usually, the requirements for the nurses is to score a B in the Occupational English Test Listening, Reading and Speaking sub-tests and a C+ in Writing. As per the general rule, the nurses must obtain a minimum score of 350 out of 500 to become an accredited nurse in a foreign country.
Q. Which part of Occupational English Test is the most difficult?
Ans: Occupational English Test: Writing component
Q. How is Occupational English Test different from other English proficiency tests?
Ans: The Occupational English Test is curated for 12 specific healthcare professions. Along with testing the English language and skills, the test requires the candidate to solve real-life healthcare scenarios.
Q. What is the Occupational English Test exam date for 2023?
Ans: The Occupational English Test exam is conducted twice every month. To get a clearer idea about the dates, you can visit the official website of Occupational English Test and prepare as per the upcoming dates.
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| Related Links | |
| OET Speaking Topics | OET Writing – Complete Guide |
| OET Speaking – Complete Guide | OET Reading Samples |
| OET vs IELTS | OET Reading Tips |
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