OET Acceptable Countries in 2024: Know Required OET Scores & Grades

Are you considering taking the OET exam but are unsure if it is accepted in your country? Well, many countries and organizations worldwide have recognized OET (Occupational English Test) as proof of English language proficiency. From Australia to the United Kingdom and even Saudi Arabia, OET has gained popularity as a trusted language assessment for healthcare professionals. So, if you are wondering about the OET-acceptable countries, read on to find out more!

Read More About :OET Exam Syllabus | OET Exam Preparation |OET Exam For Nurses

What is OET Exam

OET (Occupational English Test) is the international standardized English test that has been created for health care professionals. The OET tests healthcare professionals in the language they will be using in a medical setting. 

Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking are four core sections the test includes, and are designed to satisfy the language requirements that relate to individual healthcare professions.

Benefits of OET Exam

1. Healthcare-Specific Content: Instead of using generalized English tests, the OET uses real health scenarios, so it is easily applicable to health professionals to understand and prepare for it.
2. Improved Communication Skills: OET preparation encourages candidates to learn medical English on a higher level, leading to better care and professional relationships.
3. Global Recognition: The OET is accepted by many regulatory healthcare bodies and educational institutions globally in countries such as the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland.
4. Career Advancement: For healthcare professionals, scoring well in OET offers opportunities to work in English-speaking countries, thus advancing their careers.
5. Confidence Boost: After passing the OET, healthcare professionals can confidently use English in their practice, which leads to higher job performance and in patient safety. 

OET Exam Pattern: A Brief Breakdown 

The OET is divided into four sub-tests – reading, listening,  speaking, and writing. Moreover, as per the conducting body, the OET exam eligibility is not limited to any minimum age or academic qualification. It can be taken by anyone who wishes to work in the healthcare industry globally.

Listed below is the OET exam pattern. 

Listening

The Listening sub-test in the OET lasts for around 40 minutes and comprises three parts with 42 questions. During each section, recordings related to generic healthcare are played (each recording is played only once), and candidates must answer the questions as they listen.

Reading

The Reading sub-test in the OET comprises three sub-sections. One of these is expeditious reading which requires candidates to read four short essays related to healthcare and answer questions based on the information provided. The other two sub-sections require careful reading, where candidates must answer multiple-choice questions related to the essays provided to them. A time of 60 minutes is allotted for this section.

Writing

In the Writing sub-test of the OET, candidates are given 45 minutes to complete a profession-specific writing task. The task usually requires candidates to write a referral letter, although other types of letters, such as transfer or discharge, may also be given. 

Speaking 

During the Speaking sub-test of the OET exam, candidates undergo an individual assessment that lasts approximately 20 minutes. This part of the exam assesses the candidate’s verbal communication abilities required in an English-speaking environment. Materials specifically tailored to the candidate's profession are used for the assessment.

OET Grades For Nurses and Doctors Get Acceptance in the US

In the United States, the OET is increasingly being recognized by regulatory bodies for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and nurses. 

The test provides an alternative to other English proficiency exams like the IELTS or TOEFL, focusing on the specific needs of the healthcare sector. 

This acceptance highlights the importance of context-specific language proficiency in delivering quality healthcare.

Grading Requirement for IMGs and Nurses

For IMGs and nurses, the required OET grades generally include a minimum of:

• Listening: B (350-440 points)
• Reading: B (350-440 points)
• Writing: C+ (300-340 points) for some regulatory bodies, B (350-440 points) for others
• Speaking: B (350-440 points)
   

Countries Accepting OET Worldwide

Listed below are the OET- acceptable countries: 

1. Australia
2. Canada
3. United Kingdom
4. United States of America.
5. India
6. Ireland
7. Maldives
8. Malta
9. New Zealand
10. Philippines
11. Qatar
12. Singapore
13. Spain
14. Ukraine
15. United Arab Emirates
16. Namibia
17. Egypt

 

Institutional Bodies & Universities Accepting OET 

Here is a brief look at the top universities, healthcare councils, and boards that recognize OET.  

Country	Healthcare Boards and Councils	Universities Accepting OET	Others
Australia	Dental Board of Australia  Medical Board of Australia  Chinese Medicine Board of Australia	Charles Darwin University  Australian Catholic University  Charles Sturt University  James Cook University - OET on Paper only Macquarie University  University of Queensland  The University of Newcastle, and many more	Department of Home Affairs  TAFEs and Higher Education Institutions
Canada	Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada	Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University McMaster University- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba  College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador	N/A
Singapore	Singapore Dental Council  Singapore Medical Council  Singapore Pharmacy Council	N/A	N/A
New Zealand	Dental Council of New Zealand  Medical Council of New Zealand  Nursing Council of New Zealand	University of Auckland  AGI Education Ltd.  Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, and many more	Immigration New Zealand
Ireland	Medical Council of Ireland  Dental Council of Ireland  Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland	Munster Technological University  Castel Education	Employers and Recruiters like CPL Healthcare
India	N/A	N/A	Recruitment Agencies like: Envertiz Consultancy IITR Walsons Healthcare Private Limited
United Arab Emirates	Dubai Healthcare City Authority  Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority	N/A	N/A
United Kingdom	Academy of Medical Royal Colleges   ENT UK General Medical Council  Nursing and Midwifery Council Royal College of Anaesthetists  Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and many more	Imperial College London  King’s College London  Brunel University London  University of Leicester  University of the West of Scotland, and more	UK Visas and Immigration  NHS Hospitals and Trusts Recruitment Agencies
Malta	Council for the Professions Complementary to Medicine  Malta Medical Council  The Council of Nurses and Midwives	N/A	N/A
United States of America	Colorado Board of Nursing  CGFNS International Inc.  District of Columbia Board of Nursing  Florida Board of Nursing Oregon State Board of Nursing   Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission, and many more	N/A	N/A
Philippines	N/A	ATS Learning Center  Ateneo de Davao University  Jose Rizal Memorial State University	Recruitment Agencies like Abba Personnel Services Inc. and Orange Int'l Recruitment Services Inc.
Qatar	N/A	N/A	Healthcare Providers like: Hamad Medical Corporation
Maldives	Maldives Medical and Dental Council  Maldives Nursing and Midwifery Council	N/A	N/A
Spain	N/A	CRUE  Universidad de La Rioja	N/A
Ukraine	Ukrainian Council of Nursing and Midwifery  Ukrainian Medical Council - all test types Ukrainian Professional Council of Public Health Services	N/A	N/A
Namibia	Health Professions Councils of Namibia	N/A	N/A
Egypt	N/A	Assiut University	N/A

Acceptable OET Grades in Different Countries

Country	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
United States	B (350-440)	B (350-440)	C+ (300-340) or B (350-440)	B (350-440)
United Kingdom	B (350-440)	B (350-440)	B (350-440)	B (350-440)
Australia	B (350-440)	B (350-440)	B (350-440)	B (350-440)
New Zealand	B (350-440)	B (350-440)	B (350-440)	B (350-440)
Ireland	B (350-440)	B (350-440)	B (350-440)	B (350-440)
Canada	B (350-440)	B (350-440)	B (350-440)	B (350-440)
Singapore	B (350-440)	B (350-440)	B (350-440)	B (350-440)

OET Scores/Grades & Band Descriptors

Along with being aware of the OET-accepted countries for nurses and other healthcare professions, you must also know about the interpretation of its results. The statement of results reports your score (on a scale from 0 to 500) along with a letter grade. The grades and their corresponding score range, along with their band descriptors, are mentioned below:

Grade A: 

The highest grade in the OET band descriptor is Grade A, which corresponds to a mark range of 450 to 500. This grade signifies that the candidate has the highest marks and can communicate confidently and fluently with staff members, patients, and others.

Grade B: 

The second-highest grade in the OET band descriptor is within the mark range of 350 to 440. This grade indicates that the candidate is proficient in communication and has a friendly approach to patients and staff. 

Grade C: 

The third-highest grade in the OET band descriptor corresponds to a mark range of 300 to 340. This grade suggests that the candidate can speak  English proficiently with occasional errors. 

Grade C+: 

The fourth-highest grade in the OET band descriptor is equivalent to Grade C+, with a mark range of 200 to 290. This grade indicates that the candidate can communicate in basic English and connect with people despite facing some errors and difficulties.

Grade D: 

The fifth-highest grade in the OET band descriptor has a mark range of 100 to 190. This grade indicates that the candidate can collaborate while encountering some disruptions. 

Grade E: 

The lowest grade in the OET band descriptor has a mark range of 0 to 90. This grade suggests poor performance by the candidate, with little to no proficiency in the English language or their clinical field.

Conclusion

As the demand for skilled healthcare professionals continues to rise globally, the OET serves as a crucial stepping stone, empowering medical practitioners with the linguistic competence needed to excel in diverse healthcare settings. 

For those in the medical field looking to expand their horizons and practice in countries like the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, excelling in the OET is a vital part of their professional journey, opening doors to rewarding career opportunities and cross-cultural experiences in the world of healthcare.