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Healthcare-specific English test accepted by NMC, AHPRA, and nursing bodies across 5 countries
The Occupational English Test (OET) is a healthcare-specific English proficiency exam designed for medical and nursing professionals. Unlike IELTS which is a general academic test, OET tests your English ability in a healthcare context — clinical communication, patient interaction, medical report writing, and case-based listening. It is the preferred test for nursing migration to the UK (NMC), Australia (AHPRA), and several other countries.
Passing Score
Grade B in all four sub-tests (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)
Preparation Time
2–4 months
Registration Fee
≈ ₹26K
Result Validity
2 years from the date of results
Pass Rate (Indian nurses)
Approximately 65-70% in first attempt for Indian nurses with 2-3 months preparation
Mandatory for
United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland
Healthcare-specific audio passages. Consultations, ward briefings, clinical discussions. 40 minutes.
Healthcare texts — research articles, patient letters, clinical guidelines. 60 minutes.
Write a referral letter or discharge summary based on clinical case notes. 45 minutes.
Role-play consultation with a trained interlocutor. Two role plays of 5 minutes each.
OET is generally preferred because it tests English in a healthcare context — the same scenarios you will encounter daily as a nurse. Many Indian nurses find OET easier than IELTS because the vocabulary is familiar from clinical training. The NMC (UK) accepts both OET Grade B and IELTS 7.0 in all bands. Most agencies recommend OET.
The NMC requires Grade B in all four OET sub-tests (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). Grade B corresponds to a score of 350 on each sub-test (maximum 500). This is a strict requirement — a Grade C in even one sub-test means the overall test does not meet NMC requirements.
Most Indian nurses with strong English from nursing education need 2-4 months of focused preparation. The Writing sub-test format is specific and requires dedicated practice. Nurses who struggle with English may need 4-6 months. Starting preparation before approaching an agency is strongly recommended.
The OET exam fee is approximately USD 310-320 per sitting, which is approximately ₹26,000 at current exchange rates. If you need to retake individual sub-tests, each sub-test retake is approximately USD 95 (₹8,000). The total cost including one full attempt and potential retake of one section is typically ₹26,000–₹35,000.
Yes. OET results are accepted by AHPRA (Australia), NMC (UK), NMBI (Ireland), Nursing Council of New Zealand, and several others. One OET attempt with qualifying scores can support applications in multiple countries. Results are valid for 2 years from the date of testing.
Source & Attribution
Sources
Information reviewed against official exam body publications, candidate handbooks, and regulatory guidelines. Fees and timelines are indicative and should be verified against the issuing authority before applying.