The occupational English test is broken into four sections. Each candidate is assessed on their skills in speaking, writing, reading and listening. See below for a summary of what you can expect in each section:
The writing section of the Occupational English Test is specific to your medical specialism. However, the methods of assessment are the same across all disciplines.
Candidates are given case notes, and are then required to write a standard letter relating to the case. This might be a discharge letter, referral, or written advice to patients and carers.
The two-part listening exam is the same for all candidates. The first section is a simulated patient consultation, on which the candidates are asked to answer short-form questions.
In the second part, candidates listen to a longer presentation, before answering a series of multiple choice questions.
Many candidates find the speaking element of the Occupational English Test the most challenging. In this section, candidates will act out a twenty minute role play, with the examiner acting as a patient.
This section is specifically designed to assess your ability to communicate verbally in the kinds of real-world scenarios you’ll encounter as a healthcare professional.
All OET candidates take the same two-part written exam.
In the first section, candidates are asked to read short medical texts, before filling in missing words in a summary paragraph. The second section is a multiple choice exam, based on a longer written text.
Working in the medical profession in a second language is challenging. To maximise your chances of passing the Occupational English Test the first time around, we highly recommend taking an OET preparation course.
At LSI/IH Portsmouth, we have extensive experience of preparing students for the OET exam. We’re ranked joint first of all of the IELTS schools in the UK. As an official OET Premium Preparation Provider and registered assessment centre, our preparation courses have extremely high pass rates.
We offer intensive, part-time and flexible OET preparation courses to suit your schedule. See our OET preparation courses for more details.
Want to find out about our OET preparation course? Click here to find out more!
Test Date | Book Between | Results Published | Professions available |
2023 | |||
11th November | Monday, 13 February 2023 – 12pm Wednesday, 18 October 2023 | Tuesday, 28 November 2023 | Nursing, Medicine |
2nd December | Monday, 13 February 2023 – 12pm Tuesday, 07 November 2023 | Tuesday, 09 January 2024 | Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Radiography, Speech Pathology, Veterinary Science |
16th December | Monday, 13 February 2023 – 12pm Wednesday, 22 November 2023 | Tuesday, 16 January 2024 | Nursing, Medicine |
Test Date | Book Between | Results Published | Professions available |
2024 | |||
13th January | Friday, 25 August 2023 – 12pm Saturday, 09 December 2023 | Wednesday, 31 January 2024 | Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography |
10th February | Friday, 25 August 2023 – 12pm Wednesday, 17 January 2024 | Tuesday, 27 February 2024 | Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Radiography, Speech Pathology, Veterinary Science |
24th February | Friday, 25 August 2023 – 12pm Wednesday, 31 January 2024 | Tuesday, 12 March 2024 | Nursing, Medicine |
9th March | Friday, 25 August 2023 – 12pm Wednesday, 14 February 2024 | Wednesday, 27 March 2024 | Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography |
6th April | Friday, 25 August 2023 – 12pm Wednesday, 13 March 2024 | Tuesday, 23 April 2024 | Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Radiography, Speech Pathology, Veterinary Science |
20th April | Friday, 25 August 2023 – 12pm Monday, 25 March 2024 | Wednesday, 08 May 2024 | Nursing, Medicine |
18th May | Friday, 25 August 2023 – 12pm Wednesday, 24 April 2024 | Tuesday, 04 June 2024 | Nursing, Medicine |
1st June | Friday, 25 August 2023 – 12pm Wednesday, 08 May 2024 | Wednesday, 19 June 2024 | Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Radiography, Speech Pathology, Veterinary Science |
6th July | Friday, 25 August 2023 – 12pm Wednesday, 12 June 2024 | Tuesday, 23 July 2024 | Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography |
20th July | Friday, 25 August 2023 – 12pm Wednesday, 26 June 2024 | Tuesday, 06 August 2024 | Nursing, Medicine |
3rd August | Friday, 25 August 2023 – 12pm Wednesday, 10 July 2024 | Tuesday, 20 August 2024 | Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Radiography, Speech Pathology, Veterinary Science |
17th August | Friday, 25 August 2023 – 12pm Wednesday, 24 July 2024 | Tuesday, 03 September 2024 | Nursing, Medicine |
31st August | Friday, 25 August 2023 – 12pm Wednesday, 07 August 2024 | Tuesday, 17 September 2024 | Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography |
28th September | Friday, 25 August 2023 – 12pm Wednesday, 04 September 2024 | Tuesday, 15 October 2024 | Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Radiography, Speech Pathology, Veterinary Science |
12th October | Friday, 25 August 2023 – 12pm Wednesday, 18 September 2024 | Tuesday, 29 October 2024 | Nursing, Medicine |
26th October | Friday, 25 August 2023 – 12pm Wednesday, 02 October 2024 | Wednesday, 13 November 2024 | Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography |
9th November | Friday, 25 August 2023 – 12pm Wednesday, 16 October 2024 | Tuesday, 26 November 2024 | Nursing, Medicine |
23rd November | Friday, 25 August 2023 – 12pm Monday, 28 October 2024 | Tuesday, 10 December 2024 | Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Radiography, Speech Pathology, Veterinary Science |
7th December | Friday, 25 August 2023 – 12pm Wednesday, 13 November 2024 | Tuesday, 24 December 2024 | Nursing, Medicine |
To find out what professions are for each test date please click here.
LSI/IH Portsmouth runs OET for Nurses and Doctors Intensive Preparation Courses. For more information click here.
If you have any questions or want to know any more about the test day please e-mail us: OET@lsi-portsmouth.co.uk
If you have any questions or want to know any more about our OET courses please e-mail us: admissions@lsi-portsmouth.co.uk
Or call 02392291811 between 9:00am and 4:30pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays).
We will get back to you as soon as possible.