Occupational English Test

English language proficiency test for healthcare workers

The Occupational English Test (also known as OET®) is an English language test  that assesses the English language proficiency of overseas trained healthcare professionals seeking to register and practise in an English speaking environment. The test is recognised by organisations around the world, including for migration and licensing in Australia, New Zealand, the USA and the UK.

OET was designed in the late 1980s by Professor Tim McNamara, under the guidance of the Australian National Office for Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR), which administered the test at that time. The test has been researched and developed continuously since then to ensure that it has kept up with current theory and practice in language assessment. This work has been done by the University of Melbourne's Language Testing Research Centre and by Cambridge Assessment English. [citation needed]

Since March 2013 the test has been owned by Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment Unit Trust (CBLA), a joint venture between Cambridge Assessment English (Aus) and Box Hill Institute.

OET is recognised by regulatory healthcare boards and councils in countries around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States,Canada, Ireland, Dubai, Singapore, Namibia and Ukraine. 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.

Part B tests candidates' ability to identify the detail, gist, opinion or purpose of short extracts from the healthcare workplace. They are required to listen to six recorded extracts (e. g. team briefings, handovers, or health professional patient dialogues) and answer one multiple choice question for each extract.

OET is available up to 24 times per year and can be taken at test venues around the world. For OET on Paper results are published online approximately days after the test OET on Computer and OET@Home results are available approximately 10 days after the test. [citation needed] Official statements of results are available to download the release of online results. [citation needed] There is no overall grade – candidates receive separate grades for each sub test. Most organisations that recognise OET results typically require candidates to get a B grade or higher in all four sub tests and consider scores valid for up to two years. Additionally, these organisations usually expect candidates to achieve the necessary grades in a single attempt. However, it's important for candidates to verify the current requirements with the recognising organisation.

Prior to the formation of the Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment Trust (CBLA), OET took part in the Inquiry into Registration Processes and Support for Overseas Trained Doctors led by the Australian Government's House Standing Committee on Health and Ageing. On 23 November 2010, the then Minister for Health and Ageing, Hon Nicola Roxon MP, asked the Committee to inquire and report on the Registration Processes and Support for Overseas Trained Doctors. Persons and organisations of interest were then invited to make submission and asked to address the terms of reference by 4 February 2011. Secondly, the committee was to report on the support programs available via both state and territory and commonwealth governments, professional organisations and colleges that help OTDs achieve registration requirements and provide suggestions for their enhancement. It was based on the 14 month inquiry that heard from 146 witnesses from around Australia. While there two instances of OTDs taking OET and other tests multiple times, the majority of grievances were directed at the regulatory system and the institutions that set the overall requirements. Issues such as the two year validity of test results, levels of English required to register and achieving required scores in one sitting, are all the prerogative of the medical regulators and are not set by OET or other English test operators. The inquiry led to some changes to the registration and compliance system that manages OTDs, including the ability to use two test results within a one six month period for registration.

OET is underpinned by over 30 years of research and the test is regularly updated to keep pace with changes in language testing in a healthcare context. There is strong emphasis on the ongoing validity and reliability of the test. Leading language testing academics contribute to the continued development of the test, and subject matter experts are consulted to ensure that tasks are based on a typical workplace situations and the demands of the profession. A full list of research can be seen on the official website