Frequently Asked Questions About OET

(Occupational English Test)

The OET exam can be a confusing and overwhelming process. Your OET exam is the first step you must take to begin your journey to your chosen English speaking country.

Here at Kate Cowhig Recruitment we want to make your journey as easy as possible, so we’ve answered a few FAQ’s to help put you at ease when it comes to taking your exams.

~What is the OET? OET is an exam designed to assess the English language skills of candidates who want to study or work in countries where English is the language of communication.

~Why is the OET required? Applicants who wish to travel to the UK or Ireland must satisfy the NMC/NMBI that they have necessary knowledge to communicate effectively in practice. Communication is defined as speaking, reading, listening and writing. Candidates must prove proficiency in these 4 sections.

~Where is OET recognized?  OET is trusted by regulators, hospitals & universities in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai and Singapore as proof of ability to communicate effectively.

~What does the test consist of? The OET covers all 4 language skills with emphasis on communication in a healthcare environment.

~What areas does the test examine? OET examines 4 areas, Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. 

1. Reading; 60-minute exam consisting of 42 questions. The topics are of generic healthcare interest and are therefore accessible to candidates across all professions.
2. Writing; 45 minute exam – The task is to write a letter, usually a referral letter. Sometimes, especially for some professions, a different type of letter is required, i.e. a letter to advise or inform a patient, carer or group.
3. Listening; Approx. 45-minute exam consisting of 3 parts, where you will follow and understand a range of health-related spoken materials such as patient consultations and lectures.
4. Speaking; approx. 20-minute exam. This section will be specific to your profession, based on typical workplace situations. You will take part in two role-plays, where you’ll take your professional role while the other person plays a patient or client, or sometimes a relative or carer.

~How long is the exam? The total test time is 2 hour and 45 minutes.

~How much does the OET exam cost? OET costs £349 GBP, €390 Euros or $480 USD

~How do I apply for the OET Exam? You can apply though this website

~Where can I sit the OET exam? OET exam is available in 110 locations in 40 countries. Click here to find a location near you.

~What are the required results? To be considered for a face to face or skype interview with Kate Cowhig International Healthcare Recruitment your OET results must be as follows:

>>NMC: You will need to achieve a “B” in Listening, Reading and Speaking and a “C+” in Writing.

If you don’t manage to achieve all of your required test scores in a single test, you have the option to take the test again, one or more times, and to combine your scores across two test sittings.

To combine scores, you must:

• Sit the tests, (not certificate dates) within 12 months of each other, and your test dates must be no more than two years old when we review your application.
• Be tested in all four domains at the same time – you cannot take (or retake) individual test domains separately
• Gain one required pass score in each of the four domains, across the two test sittings
• Meet our required minimum test scores across all domains in both test sittings (IELTS and OET)
• Combine tests of the same type (for example, two IELTS tests or two OET tests) – you cannot combine an IELTS test with an OET test

>NMBI: You will need to achieve “B” in three components and “C+” in any one component.

~When will my OET results be released? Results are usually released within 17 business days.

~How long are my OET results valid for? This can vary,  but in most cases it is valid for up to 2 years.

Once you have successfully sat your OET exam and achieved the desired result (as outlined above) you have completed your first step to registering as a nurse in your chosen country.

The next step is to send us your CV along with your OET results to info@kcr.ie , where we can help you with finding permanent staff nurses positions in the UK and Ireland.

We look forward to hearing from you 🙂