OET - a guide for overseas doctors
- July 18, 2022
The Occupational English Test (OET) medicine version is specifically designed for healthcare professionals.
The exam tests your ability in reading, writing, speaking and listening and it is used by overseas doctors to demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively in English to support their application to register and practice medicine in the UK.
For doctors who prefer OET, compared to IELTS, the good news is that OET is now accepted by both the GMC and the UK Home Office - meaning that only one test now required for both UK registration and visa purposes
As an IMG coming to work in the UK, there are different scenarios in which you’ll need to provide a pass in an English test. In this article, we outline the key facts about OET, including the following topics:
- What is the OET?
- Content and structure
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
- What scores do I need?
- Does time matter?
- When and where can I sit the test?
- How can I prepare?
- What resources are available online for each subtest?
- Passed? What next?
CLICK HERE & REGISTER FOR 10-20% DISCOUNT ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSES
What is the OET?
The OET tests communication in English with an emphasis in medical and healthcare professional settings.
It is recognised by the General Medical Council (GMC), and is fast becoming a common choice to prove a candidate’s ability to communicate in a healthcare environment, such as the NHS.
As an overseas doctor you must select and sit the medicine version of the test, this is the only one accepted by the GMC for the purposes of registration for a license to practice.
Content and structure:
The OET tests your ability in four areas of English language communication:
Listening:
This section consists of three parts and tests a candidate’s ability to understand a range of materials, such as lectures or consultations.
Part A – consultation extracts (5 minutes each)
You will listen to two recorded patient consultations and will be assessed on identifying specific information. You will also complete the healthcare professionals’ notes using the information that you have heard during the consultation.
Part B – Short extract of workplace discussion (1 minute each)
Here, you are tested on your ability to identify detail, understand conversation, meaning and reasons or purpose contained in the discussion. You will hear 6 short extracts and answer multiple-choice questions on each. Example extracts could be a consultation dialogue, team meetings or professional handovers.
Part C – presentation extracts (5 minutes each)
This tests your ability to follow a recorded healthcare related presentation or interview. You will listen to two extracts covering different topics and will then answer 6 multiple choice questions on each extract.
What does the listening sub-test assess?
The listening sub-test assesses your ability to identify specific information and details, to understand conversations, reasons for comments and the opinions of the speakers.
Reading:
In this section you are expected to demonstrate your ability to read and understand texts related to healthcare. This sub-test consists of three parts.
Part A – expeditious reading task (15 minutes)
This tests your ability to quickly and efficiently locate specific information from short texts. The texts will all relate to the same topic, and you will answer 20 questions in total.
Part B and C (45 minutes)
Part B consists of 6 short text extracts from a healthcare setting, sourced from the workplace. It assesses your ability to identify detail, understand context, main points and overall gist of a text. Example texts are hospital policies or guidelines, manuals, instruction guides, internal communications between staff.
Answers are multiple-choice, and you will be asked three questions per text.
Part C consists of two texts on topics of interest to healthcare professionals. Each text is 800 words in total. Here you will be tested on your ability to identify detailed meaning and opinion. Each text has eight multiple choice questions.
What does the Reading sub-test assess?
Each reading sub-test assesses different skills:
- Part A, to read quickly, skim and scan across a variety of texts, in order to identify specific information.
Top tip, familiarise yourself with the conventions of medical texts, the structures, presentation of both numerical and textual content.
- Part B, to understand detail and main points.
Top tip for Part B is to excel at identifying ideas or points within paragraphs, or sentences.
- Part C, to understand meaning and opinion presented to you. This covers a longer text.
Top tip, the focus here is to understand the wider context, from sentence to paragraph level.
Writing:
This tests your ability to communicate effectively in a healthcare context, such a writing a referral letter. You will be given one task with a healthcare focus relating to the usual demands in the medical workplace.
The task is to write a letter, usually a referral. However, this can on occasion be a letter of discharge or advice for a patient. You will be provided with some materials to assist with context, and information to use in your writing.
How is the writing assessed?
- overall execution and completion
- use of the correct and most suitable language
- overall comprehension and use of the materials provided
- grammar, punctuation & spelling
- cohesion, presentation, structure and layout
Top tip, reading more will considerably improve your writing skills.
Speaking:
This section tests your ability to communicate effectively in a role-play based on a typical healthcare scenario. Each role-play takes about five minutes each.
The test will start with an introduction and short warm up conversation. Then the role-play will begin one-by-one and you have three minutes to prepare for each.
How is the speaking assessed?
- intelligibility (pronunciation)
- appropriate use of language
- relationship building
- understanding and incorporating the patient’s language
- providing structure
- information gathering
- information giving
What scores do I need?
For the GMC to accept your Occupational English Test (OET) certificate you will need to score a grade B or above in each test area.
These scores must be achieved in the same test, and this must be your most recent sitting of the OET.
Remember, for the GMC to accept your OET certificate, you must take the medicine version of the test.
Does time matter?
Each sub-test is timed, and you will need to practice how to give each section the right amount of time. You will have to be efficient and work quickly, dedicating the right amount of time to each question and text.
When and where can I sit the test?
You can sit the OET in test venues around the world and they offer the tests 14 times per year. To find out if there is a test venue that suits you take a look at the official website.
How can I prepare?
OET can be challenging. So, make sure you are as prepared as possible before sitting the exam.
OET involves learning a wide range of healthcare related and profession specific language.
To get the right score, this must be at an advanced level.
CLICK HERE & REGISTER FOR 10-20% DISCOUNT ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSES
You don’t need to pay take a course. However, it is highly advisable to attend a course, and/or language classes, successful IMGs have advised that this helped them improve their standards in all areas of the test, including improved general levels of English.
Most overseas doctors advise that they improved by attending specific OET courses, and this also helps you to get used to the test format and timings.
We strongly recommend that you start preparing for the exams as far in advance as you possibly can.
Establish your level of English, and work out what areas you will need to focus on. Identify your weaknesses, set goals for yourself and plan a revision timetable.
What resources are available online for each subtest?
Listening online resources:
A good start would be to watch and listen to extracts online, here are a few options:
Reading online resources:
Read short, medium and long extracts online.
Why not try the following resources:
Writing online resources:
To improve writing skills, we recommend reading and writing! Read short, medium and long extracts online. Write short extracts, re-write articles and write on your own journal.
Why not try the following resources:
Speaking online resources:
To improve speaking skills, we recommend speaking! Speak with colleagues and friends in English as much as you can. You can also record yourself reading aloud or speaking and then play back your recording, assessing yourself.
Why not try the following resources:
We have also created a useful blog series on Exam Tips and Revision Guidance, which includes tips for studying at home.
Passed? What next?
If you have your OET in place you are in a prime position to apply and interview for jobs.
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- Application support with expert knowledge of NHS specialisms & recruitment practice
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HOW WILL IMG CONNECT SUPPORT YOU?
When applying with IMG Connect you’ll have the full support of an expert recruitment team who will be your recruitment and relocation partners throughout the process. We\'ll support you with:
CV Preparation with a bespoke session with one of our specialists
Application support with expert knowledge of NHS specialisms & recruitment practice
At least two video calling interview preparation sessions
Contract and offer negotiations for salary, relocation packages, tenure and more
Once you have accepted your new role, you’ll then be supported and led throughout by one of our dedicated relocation executives who will guide you through all the way to starting to your new role including:
Document gathering and checking
COS and Visa Application support if applicable
Support sourcing short- and long-term accommodation
Travel Arrangements
Family support for finding schools and any other aspects of pastoral care
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Anyone requiring portfolio support (formally known as CESR) can have their required support discussed on a case-by-case basis.
JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DETAILS
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This Medical Oncology job is open to both international applications and UK-based doctors, though those with European Specialist qualifications or MRCP are most encouraged to apply.CCT in Medical Oncology or equivalent experience, including CESR pathway candidates.
-
The salary will be between £105,504 and £139,882 dependent on experience or grade.
CORE DUTIES OF THIS ROLE
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Provide high-quality specialist care to melanoma patients attending the Kent Oncology Centre.
-
Attend relevant MDT meetings and coordinate treatment planning with other specialists.
-
Participate in departmental research initiatives and contribute to national and local clinical trials.
-
Contribute to training and supervision of junior doctors and participate in clinical governance activities.
Life in Kent
The area offers the best of both worlds: urban living in towns like Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells, and tranquil countryside villages such as Lenham or Goudhurst.
Kent boasts a wide range of excellent primary and secondary schools, including several grammar schools, and is well connected to London via high-speed rail and road. Residents enjoy easy access to historic castles, the coast, national parks, shopping, and outdoor activities—perfect for both adults and families.
Known as the “Garden of England,” Kent holds historical significance with its Roman heritage, medieval cathedrals, and coastal defense legacy, offering a unique blend of culture and natural beauty.
HOW WILL IMG CONNECT SUPPORT YOU?
When applying with IMG Connect, you’ll have the full support of an expert recruitment team who will be your recruitment and relocation partners throughout the process. We\'ll support you with:
-
CV Preparation with a bespoke session with one of our specialists
-
Application support with expert knowledge of NHS specialisms & recruitment practice
-
At least two video calling interview preparation sessions
-
Contract and offer negotiations for salary, relocation packages, tenure, and more
Once you have accepted your new role, you’ll then be supported and led throughout by one of our dedicated relocation executives who will guide you all the way to starting your new role, including:
-
Document gathering and checking
-
COS and Visa Application support, if applicable
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Support sourcing short- and long-term accommodation
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Travel arrangements
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Family support for finding schools and any other aspects of pastoral care
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Anyone requiring portfolio support (formally known as CESR) can have their required support discussed on a case by case basis.
JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DETAILS
This oncology job is open to both international applications and UK-based doctors, though those with European Specialist registration or MRCP are most encouraged to apply.
Anyone with an interest in upper and lower GI oncology should apply.
The salary will be between £105,504 and £139,882 dependent on experience or grade.
CORE DUTIES OF THIS ROLE
-
Provide systemic therapy services for patients with upper and lower GI cancers across UHMB sites.
-
Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings for lung and upper GI cancer and support associated administrative duties.
-
Lead and contribute to acute oncology services across the Trust (no on-call required).
-
Support teaching, supervision, and mentorship for junior medical staff and trainees.
LIFE IN LANCASHIRE AND SOUTH CUMBRIA
The area is rich with excellent schools, convenient rail and road links, and beautiful scenery for outdoor enthusiasts. Historically, the region has played a key role in British shipbuilding and industrial development and today combines coastal charm with cultural heritage and modern living.
HOW WILL IMG CONNECT SUPPORT YOU?
When applying with IMG Connect you’ll have the full support of an expert recruitment team who will be your recruitment and relocation partners throughout the process. We\'ll support you with:
-
CV Preparation with a bespoke session with one of our specialists
-
Application support with expert knowledge of NHS specialisms & recruitment practice
-
At least two video calling interview preparation sessions
-
Contract and offer negotiations for salary, relocation packages, tenure and more
Once you have accepted your new role, you’ll then be supported and led throughout by one of our dedicated relocation executives who will guide you through all the way to starting to your new role including:
-
Document gathering and checking
-
COS and Visa Application support if applicable
-
Support sourcing short- and long-term accommodation
-
Travel Arrangements
-
Family support for finding schools and any other aspects of pastoral care