The Occupational English Test (OET) is an international English language test for the healthcare sector. It assesses the language communication skills of healthcare professionals who wish to register and practise in an English-speaking environment.
OET is available for the following 12 professions: dentistry, dietetics, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, podiatry, radiography, speech pathology, and veterinary science.
The test has been owned by Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment Trust (CBLA), a venture between Cambridge English Language Assessment and Box Hill Institute.
OET AT MAKS BELA INTERNATIONAL
MAKS BELA INTERNATIONAL is the leading OET test training institute in Ambattur | Chennai. We make sure that we have all the materials that are available on this particular examination. Classes are conducted by tutors who are well versed in English and are rich in theoretical knowledge on the respective medical subject. From our past batches of OET, 80% have come out with B grade or above and are well placed in Australia. Our classes are held regular mode and intensive mode (crash courses), regular classes are held for new students and crash course is beneficial for students who have attended OET previously. Regular batches duration is 45-90 days and Crash batch is 30 days only.
Method of Training
Our training comprises of Preparation Class and Intensive Class (Crash Batch).
Preparation level
New students join provided preparation class to familiarize with OET system. OET is a test based on time frame. It assesses proficiency in English for Listening, Writing, Reading and Speaking. During this period, the time frame stipulated by the OET Exam is not insisted upon in preparing the lessons.
Intensive Level
After preparation stage, the students will start Intensive training according to OET system and time frame to prepare in each of the OET module. Discussion is held before starting the tests, after the test the trainer will discusses common mistakes in the class and individual corrections are made. In this class students are given guidance and tips on how to write, speak, listen and read in OET to achieve a good band in examination. Candidates will have model tests every Saturday similar to the OET exam. The results are given according to the OET grading system, i.e. A, B, C, D etc. Students are given correction and assessment after their test and provided care and attention on modules they find difficult. Once the candidates obtain a required score that is stable during all the tests, the trainer will advise him/her to apply for the exam. Others will be retained till they improve their performance.
Differences between IELTS & OET
1. If a candidate appears for IELTS and does not attain the required score, he/she will have to appear for the whole exam again, whereas, in OET, the candidate needs to repeat only the failed module. The fees will be levied for that particular module only.
2. OET, being a profession based English exam, it deals only with Medical topics. [i.e. for Nurses, nursing related topics, for physiotherapists, physiotherapy related topics, for Pharmacists pharmacy related subjects, etc.] Thus the exam is easier than IELTS, where they have questions based on general topics.
Recognition
OET is recognised by regulatory healthcare bodies and councils in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. Many organisations, including hospitals, universities and colleges, are using OET as proof of a candidate’s ability to communicate effectively in a demanding healthcare environment. In addition, OET is recognised by the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection for a number of visa categories, including work and student visas.
Each recognising organisation determines which grade results mean that candidates meet the language competency standards to function in their profession.
OET Test Format
OET provides a valid and reliable assessment of all four language skills – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking – with an emphasis on communication in medical and health professional settings. OET consists of four sub-tests:
- Listening (approximately 50 minutes)
- Reading (60 minutes)
- Writing (45 minutes)
- Speaking (approximately 20 minutes)
Listening
The listening test consists of two parts. In Part A, candidates listen to a simulated consultation (dialogue) between a professional and a patient and are required to take notes under headings. In Part B, candidates listen to a health professional giving a short talk on a health-related topic and are required to complete a range of open-ended and fixed-choice questions.
Reading
The reading test consists of two parts. In Part A, lasting 15 minutes, candidates are asked to skim read 3 or 4 short texts and complete a summary paragraph by filling in the missing words. It is designed to test the reader’s ability to scan texts within a time limit, source information from multiple texts, and synthesise information. In Part B, lasting 45 minutes, candidates are asked to read two passages on a general healthcare topic and answer 8–10 multiple choice questions for each text. It is designed to test the reader’s ability to read and comprehend longer texts.
Writing
The writing paper asks candidates to write a letter, usually a letter of referral. For some professions a different type of letter is required, e.g. a letter of transfer or discharge, or a letter to advise a patient, carer or group. Candidates are given case notes which must be included in their letter.
Speaking
The speaking test is in the form of one-to-one conversations with an interlocutor. It starts with a short warm-up interview about the candidate’s professional background. This is followed by two role plays. Candidates have 2–3 minutes to prepare for each role play. Role plays last about five minutes and are based on typical interactions between a health professional and a patient. The candidate adopts their usual professional role (e.g. as a nurse) and the interviewer plays a patient or sometimes a relative or carer. For veterinary science the interviewer is the owner or carer of the animal.
Scoring
Each of the four sub-tests that make up OET are graded A to E, where A is the highest grade and E is the lowest. There is no overall grade.
| OET grade |
Description of ability |
| A |
Very high level of performance |
| B |
High level of performance, i.e. able to use English with fluency and accuracy adequate for professional needs |
| C |
Good level of performance; however, not acceptable to a range of health and medical councils |
| D |
Moderate level of performance; requires improvement |
| E |
Low level of performance; requires considerable improvement |
Listening and reading
There is no fixed score-to-grade link for the listening and reading tests. Grade boundaries are continually reset because different test materials are used at each administration. A mean average of the percentage of candidates in each grade for the writing and speaking tests is applied to the spread of performances on the listening and reading tests to establish the grade boundaries.
Writing and speaking
In writing and speaking, the score is generated through statistical analysis of the two sets of scores from two independent assessors. This is converted, following established practice, to the final grade.
Timing and results
OET is available up to 12 times a year and can be taken at test venues around the world.
Results are published online approximately 16 business days after the test. Official statements of results are sent out in the post following the release of online results. There is no overall grade – candidates receive separate grades for each sub-test.
Most recognising organisations require candidates to have at least a B grade in each of the four sub-tests and recognise results as valid for up to two years. Most recognising organisations also require that candidates achieve the requisite grades for each sub-test in one sitting. However, candidates should check with the organisation that regulates their profession to confirm current requirements.
