OET Exam 2026: Full Form, Eligibility, Test Dates, Fees & Structure

Owned and administered by Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment (CBLA), OET assesses English language communication skills of workers across 12 different medical and allied health fields, including nursing, medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy. OET is widely accepted for registration, licensing, and immigration by medical boards and government bodies in the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and Singapore.

OET assesses the English language skills required for healthcare jobs. Eg., reading a referral letter, listening to a patient handover, or writing a discharge summary. 

The table below summarises the OET exam's structure, cost, and scoring for 2026.

 OET exam scores are recognised by regulators, employers, and universities in over 15 countries. 

• Primary destination countries: The UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland accept OET for professional registration.
• Additional destinations: The USA, UAE, Singapore, Namibia, Ukraine, Malta, Maldives, the Philippines, and Qatar also recognise OET exam scores.
• Recognising bodies: More than 500 healthcare councils, universities, and employers worldwide, including the GMC, NMC, AHPRA, and the ECFMG, use OET scores in their registration process.
• Employer acceptance: Hospitals and healthcare recruiters in these countries also ask for OET scores alongside or in place of a general English test like IELTS.

Healthcare professionals interested in studying or working abroad choose OET over a general English test for the following reasons.

• Job-relevant preparation: IELTS Academic covers a wide range of topics, so you need broader vocabulary beyond healthcare. Meanwhile, OET focuses on healthcare profession-specific language, making it easier to study. 
• Real-World Healthcare Communication: OET uses healthcare-related role plays and scenarios that reflect real clinical settings, helping you communicate effectively with patients, families, and colleagues. 
• Regulatory requirement: Medical councils like ECFMG (USA) only accept the OET exam as proof of English proficiency for international medical graduates looking to work in the US.
• Visa applications: Countries like the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand accept OET as proof of English proficiency for visa purposes. 

OET is designed for 12 specific healthcare and veterinary professions. While the Listening and Reading sub-tests are the same for all candidates, the Speaking and Writing sub-tests use profession-specific tasks and materials.

Here is a list of healthcare professions covered by OET.

• Dentistry
• Dietetics
• Medicine (Doctors)
• Nursing
• Occupational Therapy
• Optometry
• Pharmacy
• Physiotherapy
• Podiatry
• Radiography 
• Speech Pathology
• Veterinary Science

OET@Home is a computer-based OET exam taken remotely under live online proctoring. It is ideal for healthcare professionals who cannot access a nearby OET test centre. The cost for OET@ Home is AUD 587 (INR 40,500), and results are released after 48 hours.

The test content, timing, and scoring of OET@Home are identical to OET on Computer at a venue. You need a stable internet connection, a working webcam and microphone, and a quiet, private room to take OET@Home.

Note: Some regulators like AHPRA (Australia) and GPhC (UK) do not accept OET@Home results. So always verify institutional acceptance before booking the test.

To take the Occupational English Test (OET), you must be a healthcare professional from one of 12 approved fields and hold a valid passport for identification. OET does not have specific academic requirements, but you should meet the eligibility set by the healthcare regulator or organisation you plan to apply to, as these may vary by profession and country.

• Age: CBLA sets no upper age limit, though applicants must be at least 18 years of age to register for OET.
• Final-year students: You can take the OET before graduating, provided the regulatory body you are applying to permits pre-graduation scores.
• Identification: A valid passport displaying your full name, date of birth, photograph, and expiry date. Some countries accept a government-issued photo ID with your full name, photograph, and date of birth, but driving licences are not accepted.

You can register for OET through the official website using a personal email address, since CBLA does not accept an institutional or workplace email for your OET account. 

Here is a step-by-step guide to complete your OET registration:

• Step 1: Create your account: Visit the official OET website and create your account using your personal details. 
• Step 2: Verify your identity: Upload a valid passport or an accepted government-issued ID that shows your name, photograph, and date of birth.
• Step 3: Select your test: Choose OET on Paper, OET on Computer at a venue, or OET@Home, and choose your desired slot from the available options.
• Step 4: Pay the fee: Complete payment by credit or debit card to confirm your OET exam registration.
• Step 5: Receive confirmation: Check your registered email address for your OET booking confirmation and test-day instructions.

After completing your registration, you can book your OET test slot by selecting a specific date and venue, subject to seat availability. 

• OET on Paper: Bookings close 24 calendar days before the test date.
• OET on Computer: Bookings at a venue close 7 calendar days before the scheduled test date (11:59 PM UTC).
• OET@Home: Bookings close 7 calendar days before the scheduled test start time.
• Active bookings: You cannot hold more than one active booking for the same test administration across different delivery modes.
• Changing your profession: You cannot change your profession after confirming your booking. You must cancel the existing booking and rebook with the correct profession.

The OET exam fee is AUD 587 (INR 40,500) for all four sub-tests, regardless of the test mode. The AUD 7 (INR 480) non-refundable booking fee is included in the total exam fee.

The table below summarises the OET exam fee structure for 2026.

(Exchange Rate used: 1 AUD= INR 69)

The OET exam is conducted on multiple test dates throughout the year. OET on Paper is usually held twice a month (generally Saturdays), while OET on Computer is available on multiple dates every month at authorised venues.

Global OET Test on Paper Test Dates 

The table below summarises the OET on Paper dates from September to December 2026.

Global OET Test on Computer Dates

The table below summarises the OET on Computer exam dates from September to December 2026.

You can take the OET in over 50 authorised test centres across India. OET test centres in Kerala and Punjab often see high demand, so paper-based slots can fill two to three months in advance. If your city has no available slots, check nearby hubs like Bengaluru or Chennai in South India, or New Delhi for Punjab. Smaller Tier-2 cities may offer OET on Paper only, while major metros may offer both paper and computer-based tests. 

The table below provides a list of OET exam centres in India by region.

The OET exam has a duration of 2 hours 45 minutes across four sub-tests. Listening and Reading are identical for every profession, while Writing and Speaking are profession-specific. 

The table below provides an overview of the OET exam pattern:

Suggested: For section-wise analysis, refer to our OET Exam Pattern guide.

The OET syllabus focuses on real clinical and workplace communication rather than academic or general-interest topics.

• Listening: Covers patient consultations, workplace briefings, and professional presentations across three parts and 42 questions.
• Reading: Tests your ability to quickly locate and interpret information in healthcare texts, workplace materials, and longer articles across three parts and 42 questions.
• Writing: Requires you to write one profession-specific referral, discharge, or advisory letter from case notes within 45 minutes.
• Speaking: Includes two profession-specific role-plays that simulate real healthcare interactions with patients or caregivers.

OET result timelines can vary depending on which test mode you choose. 

• Computer-based: Released as early as 48 hours after completing all four sub-tests. Around 95% of results are released within 6 calendar days.
• Paper-based: Released as early as 5 days after the test date for candidates in India and the Philippines.
• OET@Home: Released after 48 hours.

To prepare for the OET exam, you can use the official study material that reflects the latest exam format and profession-specific tasks, particularly for the Writing and Speaking sub-tests.

• OET Ready: OET Ready is a study guide that helps you prepare for the exam with various resources and a planner.
• OET Pulse: OET Pulse is a placement test to understand your current proficiency level before you begin your preparation.
• OET Lessons: The Official OET YouTube channel has free, on-demand video lessons to improve section-wise skills.
• Free Sample Tests: OET sample tests help you build confidence for exam day with free mock tests for each test format.

Choosing between OET and a general English test depends on the requirements of your target regulator, employer, or university. If you are unsure which test you need for your medical pathway, check the specific requirements of your programme before booking your test. 

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