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The OET (Occupational English Test) is the language assessment exam for medical professionals. Different countries have different evaluation criteria for the OET since medical councils have different guidelines, hence medical aspirants who want to move to an English speaking country are often confused regarding the requirements. Explore the essential OET requirements for pursuing a nursing career in Ireland.
OET Requirements for Ireland
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) determines the OET score requirements for overseas Nurses and Midwives’ Registration in Ireland. This is to ensure that they have the necessary knowledge of English to communicate effectively at their workplace. Communication is defined as speaking, reading, listening and writing, and the applicant must provide evidence that they possess these mandatory skills. To keep in line with other international health regulators, they have recently reviewed language standards.
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) started accepting these scores on January 2, 2018, and the Irish Medical Board (IMB) started accepting them on February 8, 2018. Once NMBI is satisfied that the applicants’ qualification meets the relevant standards, the applicant has to apply for registration through a separate application process. It is at this point that applicants are required to provide evidence of English language proficiency.
OET Scores for Nurses
NMBI accepts International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Test, IELTS Academic Test for UKVI, and the Occupational English Language Test (OET) as evidence of English language competency. As of now, the only medium of the test in Ireland is on paper.
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), the aspirants need to score a C+ in the Writing, a B grade in the Speaking, a B in the Reading and a B in the Listening component of the OET.
According to the latest amendments, the minimum Occupational English Test (OET) Grade and Score for nurses and midwives is as follows:
- Listening- B (350-450)
- Reading – B (350-450)
- Writing – C+ (300-340)
- Speaking B – (350-450)
These amendments ensure that the appropriate standard of English language is achieved. Ireland also accepts OET Score Combining. The test scores of two different tests are considered together if both tests are taken within a gap of six months and you have scored over 300 in all subtests. By combining the scores of various subtests together, you can achieve the required marks.
| OET | Minimum Occupational English Test (OET) Grade and Scores |
|
| Listening | B (350 – 450) | OET (Nursing) with Grade B in three components and C+ in one component. (please see table for example) |
| Reading | B (350 – 450) | |
| Writing | C+ (300 – 340) | |
| Speaking | B (350 – 450) | |
At present, only nurses, midwives and doctors can use OET results for registration purposes.
Note:
- Ireland only accepts IELTS/ OET test results that are less than two years old. If the test results are out of date, applicant will need to attempt the IELTS/ OET once again.
- The results must be achieved in a single sitting.
- NMBI will independently verify the applicant’s scores.
- The board only accepts one test result, not combined results.
- There is greater flexibility, in that candidates may achieve 6.5 or grade C+ in any one of the four papers other than writing where 6.5 or C+ is the lowest score acceptable, as long as the overall IELTS score is 7.0 and the OET results are 3x B and 1 x C+.
- The following three alternatives are acceptable to C+ in writing:
Alternative 1: C+ in Listening
| Components | Minimum OET Score |
| Listening | C+ |
| Reading | B |
| Writing | B |
| Speaking | B |
| Overall | N/A |
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Alternative 2: C+ in Reading
| Components | Minimum OET Score |
| Listening | B |
| Reading | C+ |
| Writing | B |
| Speaking | B |
| Overall | N/A |
Alternative 3: C+ in Speaking
| Components | Minimum OET Score |
| Listening | B |
| Reading | B |
| Writing | B |
| Speaking | C+ |
| Overall | N/A |
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OET Grading Scale
Applicants are graded based on their performance in the various components of the test. The grading scale is as follows:
- A: Very high level of performance. Indicates that the candidate can communicate effectively and with accuracy in all relevant aspects of the language.
- B: High level of performance. Shows that the candidate can use English proficiently and with effectiveness in most situations.
- C: Satisfactory level of performance. Indicates that the candidate can use English adequately in familiar contexts but may face difficulties in unfamiliar situations.
- D: Limited level of performance. Shows that the candidate has a basic command of English but has difficulties in using the language.
- E: Very limited level of performance. Indicates that the candidate’s English language skills are not adequate for effective communication in a healthcare environment.
Passing the OET test is an excellent addition to any healthcare worker’s CV. This test uses real-life healthcare scenarios which prepares aspirants to face them during their course of work. The team of experts at Entri App provides top notch training and will be there to support you at every step of your journey. We provide personal mentorship, live and recorded classes. We prepare the students for the test by making them go through several assessments and mock tests.
OET Score Requirements for Ireland: Frequently Asked Questions
For which medical professions are OET scores accepted in Ireland?
Ireland accepts scores from 12 medical fields such as Dentistry, Dietetics, Medicine, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Radiography, Speech Pathology and Veterinary Science.
What is the required OET score for nurses and midwives?
Aspirants should have a score of C+ in the Writing subtest, a B grade in the Speaking subtest, a B in the Reading subtest and a B in the Listening subtest of the OET.
What is the required OET score for doctors?
Aspirants should score a B grade in the Listening subtest, a B grade in the Reading subtest, a B grade in the Writing subtest and a B grade in the Speaking subtest of the OET.
