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OET is a widely recognized English language test designed to set global healthcare communication standards. The Occupational English Test or OET is a healthcare-specific language test for assessing the English language proficiency of healthcare providers. This is not a generalized test used for general immigration purposes like IELTS or TOEFL. The OET test modules are designed exclusively to prepare professionals for effective communication in the healthcare setting.
Professor Tim McNamara along with NOOSR (National Office for Overseas Skills Recognition) in Australia introduced OET in 1980. The Language Testing Research Centre at the University of Melbourne has contributed significantly to the research and development of this language assessment test. The continuous review and modifications made by LTRC ensured that the test was in line with the occupational language requirements of the healthcare sector. The Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment Unit Trust(CBLA) has owned OET since 2013. CBLA is a joint venture of the University of Cambridge and the Boxhill Institute, a higher education provider in Australia.
International health practitioners who wish to practice in an English-speaking environment can take the OET exam. This English Language test consists of 4 modules which include Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing. The listening and reading module assesses the English language proficiency in handling general healthcare topics. Speaking and writing modules are specific to 12 professions within healthcare. The 12 healthcare professions covered under OET are given below:
| Dentistry | Pharmacy |
| Dietetics | Physiotherapy |
| Medicine | Podiatry |
| Nursing | Radiography |
| Occupational Therapy | Speech Pathology |
| Optometry | Veterinary Science |
The Occupational English Test differs from normal language proficiency tests as it covers the language requirements needed to handle topics in the global healthcare sector. This exam is the most preferred occupational language test for healthcare professionals in Kerala. It enhances the language skills needed to flourish in your healthcare career overseas. Moreover, the OET exam is recognized and trusted by healthcare institutions all over the world. The exam tests your English proficiency in communicating in a real healthcare workplace.
The Occupational English Test differs from normal language proficiency tests as it covers the language requirements needed to handle topics in the global healthcare sector. This exam is the most preferred occupational language test for healthcare professionals in Kerala. Moreover, the OET exam is recognized and trusted by healthcare institutions all over the world. The exam tests your English proficiency in communicating in a real healthcare workplace. For excelling in this exam, many professionals look for the Best OET Coaching Centre in Kerala. An OET training can enhance your language skills needed to flourish in your healthcare career overseas.
Healthcare professionals in Kerala who wish to practice or do higher studies abroad need to attain relevant scores in the OET exam. This English occupational language test is recognized and accepted by governments, healthcare regulators, employers, and educators worldwide.
OET training and exams help medical practitioners bridge the language barriers in healthcare settings. Limited English language proficiency may impact various aspects of medical practice which can adversely affect the quality of care.
Limited language proficiency can lead to persistent barriers to communication. It can lead to diagnostic errors, complicate interventions, prompt inadequate or excessive testing, etc. The Occupational English Test measures healthcare provider's language abilities across the skills of listening, reading, writing, and speaking especially in healthcare settings. This can greatly reduce errors due to miscommunication.
An OET exam ensures that you have the right level of English fluency to communicate effectively in the workplace and deliver safe and quality healthcare.
Candidates satisfying the eligibility guidelines can easily register for the OET test. The Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment authority has not specified any age limit to apply for the OET exam. Candidates must have a relevant educational qualification like a medical degree, or nursing degree, or be qualified to practice any of the 12 healthcare professions accepted by OET. The most common doubt asked by many candidates is ‘In which country is OET accepted?’ The test is accepted and recognized by the most popular destinations abroad. The countries that accept OET test scores are given below:
As mentioned earlier, the Occupational English Test conducted by CBLA has 4 sub-modules: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The entire test will take approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.
The listening test is divided into three parts and takes around 40 minutes to complete.
Approximately 60 minutes is required to complete the reading test. It assesses the candidate's reading skills through different types of questions.
A 45-minute time is given for this test; the initial five minutes is for reading the case notes or instructions and 40 minutes for writing.
Around 20 minutes is given for the speaking test where the candidate will be given profession-specific role-play tasks.
Candidates can choose any of the three OET examination modes based on their convenience. The OET test format and timing are the same for all three types, only the delivery mode is different. The three OET exam delivery modes are:
After the test, candidates can view or download the Statement of Results(SOR) from their online profile. The OET test scores are reported on a scale ranging from 0 to 500. There is also a letter grade equivalent to the numerical scores with A being the highest and E the lowest. The OET score range, corresponding grades, and fluency level are given in the table below for your reference.
| OET Score | Grade | Fluency Level |
|---|---|---|
| 450 to 500 | A |
Ability to communicate fluently and effectively with other healthcare providers and patients. Ability to understand any kind of written or spoken language in the healthcare setting. |
| 350 to 440 | B |
A good understanding of a range of clinical aspects and terminologies. Ability to communicate effectively in healthcare settings with only minute inaccuracies and occasional hesitations. |
| 300 to 340 | C+ | Can easily handle normal spoken language in their field of specialization. Occasional errors may occur. |
| 200 to 290 | C | Can easily handle normal spoken language in their field of specialization. Occasional errors may occur. |
| 100 to 190 | D | Ability to easily understand factual information in their field of study and interact with others in a healthcare setting. May have some strain on communication with some errors, inaccuracies, or misuse of language. |
| 0 to 90 | E | Ability to handle simple day-to-day interactions. |
Some countries accept combined test scores of OET exams taken in a gap of six months. The scores obtained in two OET tests are clubbed together to get a final clubbed score. The clubbed OET scores will be accepted if they satisfy the following conditions:
The countries that currently accept OET score clubbing are Ireland, Australia, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
The minimum score requirement for OET exams can vary depending on your profession, country, and recognizing boards or councils. However, most of the regulating boards accept a minimum score of 350. You should check and stay updated about the minimum score requirements needed for your profession and desired destination abroad.
Even though both OET and IELTS are English language proficiency tests, OET is designed specifically for healthcare professionals while IELTS tests the overall academic English proficiency. Both exams test your listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills. But, the topics covered and method of preparation are different.
You will have to learn a much wider vocabulary for IELTS. The test mainly focuses on your ability to understand academic texts and lectures. It also tests your fluency to communicate effectively and engage in academic talks and discussions.
OET gives more emphasis on healthcare-related and profession-specific terminologies and language. It tests your ability to communicate in healthcare environments, read and understand medical texts, and journals, and engage in talks and discussions related to the medical field.
The content evaluated in listening, reading, writing, and speaking modules in both tests are different. For instance, in the IELTS writing module, you will be asked to write an essay on a general topic. Similarly in the speaking module, you will have a structured interview where you will speak about a given general topic. On the other hand, in the OET writing module, you will have to write a medical referral letter based on some case notes. In the speaking module, you will have to engage in healthcare profession-specific role plays. The IELTS and OET equivalent band scores are given below for your reference:
| OET Grade | Equivalent IELTS Band Score |
|---|---|
| A | 8.0 to 9.0 |
| B | 7.0 to 7.5 |
| C | 6.5 |
| C+ | 5.5 to 6.0 |
| D | < 5.5 |
| E | < 5.5 |
The IELTS exam is suitable for candidates looking to study, work, or migrate to English-speaking countries and it is a more generic English language test. The OET exam is for candidates opting for the medical field and is a healthcare-specific language test. However, when comparing the difficulty level professionals in the healthcare sector find OET easier than IELTS. This is because they can easily apply their healthcare knowledge, vocabulary, and experiences to excel in the test.
Even if you are confident in your current level of English fluency, it’s essential to take the time to prepare thoroughly to achieve high scores in the OET exam. You can opt for self-study or get trained from an OET coaching center near you. Candidates can utilize the free study materials and mock tests available on the internet. Sample OET tests are available on the official website too.
In this article, we have covered different aspects of the OET exam which will be helpful for aspiring healthcare professionals and students. The most important tip for success is to understand the exam format and prepare well. Self-study may not be suitable for all. Some candidates will require structured professional training to compete in the exam. In that case, you can join the best OET coaching center in Kerala like Breffni Academy for comprehensive and flexible OET training. Online and offline OET training with flexible time schedules are most preferred by healthcare professionals in Kerala. Enroll now and get the desired results in the upcoming OET exam!
