The Occupational English Test (OET) is an English language test for healthcare professionals who wish to work in one of twelve healthcare professions in an anglophone environment. It is accepted in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Ukraine, Dubai, Singapore and Namibia. A number of healthcare boards, healthcare councils and universities recognise OET as proof of an individual's proficiency in the English language. Kindly follow this link to view an extensive list of organisations who recognise OET: https://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/test-information/who-recognises-oet
OET is specifically aimed at professionals working in the following healthcare professions: Dentistry; Dietetics; Medicine; Nursing; Occupational Therapy; Optometry; Pharmacy; Physiotherapy; Podiatry; Radiography; Speech Pathology; and Veterinary Science. The test consists of four components: Listening; Speaking; Reading; and Writing. To discover how each component of the test is tailored to the area of healthcare in which you work, please follow this link: https://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/test-information/healthcare-professions/
OET illustrates that individuals have appropriate proficiency in the English language, but it also provides candidates with the key language used within the healthcare sector. It uses simulated scenarios within the context of healthcare, allowing individuals to develop the language most relevant to the environment in which they will work.
Listening: The listening section comprises of three parts and 42 questions. Candidates in all twelve healthcare professions sit the same listening test since the topics discussed are related to general healthcare. Recordings of extracts from consultations, the workplace and presentations are played to the candidate who must write his/her answers whilst listening. Detailed information on the listening section of OET can be found via this link: https://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/test-information/listening/
Reading: The reading section contains three parts and 42 questions. Candidates in all twelve healthcare professions sit the same listening test since the topics discussed are related to general healthcare. Candidates must complete an 'expeditious reading task' and two 'careful reading tasks'. Detailed information on the reading section of the test can be found here: https://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/test-information/reading/
Writing: The writing section is profession-specific, and the task is tailored to a typical workplace situation encountered by each type of professional. Candidates are asked to write a letter (a referral letter; a discharge letter; a transfer letter; or a letter to inform or advise a patient/carer). Candidates in certain professions might be asked to provide a written response to a complaint. For detailed information on the writing section of OET, please follow this link: https://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/test-information/writing/
Speaking: The speaking section involves a series of role-plays that are specific to the profession of the candidate. The candidate acts as the healthcare professional, whilst the examiner acts as the patient, carer or relative. Candidates have three minutes to prepare for each role-play, and each role-play lasts for approximately five minutes. Detailed information on the speaking section of the test can be found here: https://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/test-information/speaking/
For further information on the Occupational English Test, please visit https://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/.