Imagine you are planning to move to a different country to pursue your dream career in the medical field. You have delved into in-depth research and are ready to embark on your journey at a renowned global university. You discuss your plan with your friend and get to know you totally missed an important aspect- an English proficiency exam that can help you sail through your admission process. Wondering what is it? We are talking about OET exam, the Occupational English Test, designed specifically for healthcare professionals.
The OET scores prove you are qualified and capable of serving the healthcare sector in an English-speaking environment. If you are among the many who wish to work or study abroad in the medical field, you must know different aspects of the exam. This article details its eligibility, pattern, syllabus, and, most importantly OET exam fees.
OET Exam Eligibility
The conducting body of the OET exam has not set any rigid age or academic qualification requirements. Any individual who wishes to build a career in the following 12 healthcare professions categories qualifies under the OET exam eligibility:
Nursing
Dentistry
Dietetics
Medicine
Occupational Therapy
Optometry
Pharmacy
Physiotherapy
Podiatry
Radiography,
Veterinary Science
Speech Pathology
OET Fees: All You Need to Know
According to the official OET website, 85% of the test takers agree it is worth the money. TheOET exam fee is AU$587 or US$455(only for US candidates sitting for the OET on-computer)
Those taking the OET on paper also have the option to sit for individual sub-tests. In such a case, along with the AU$7 for online booking, the OET fees will be as follows:
OET Sub-test
OET Fees
4 sub-tests
AU$587.00
3 sub-tests
AU$477.50
2 sub-tests
AU$339.00
1 sub-test
AU$200.50
Rescheduling OET: Fees & Conditions
OET on paper:
You must know that you cannot defer a single sub-test. The cost of rescheduling your OET exam depends upon the timeline – if you apply to defer before the closing date of test booking, the fee is AU$120, and after the closing date, the fee is AU$200.
OET on a computer:
You can reschedule your speaking sub-test separately. For this, if you apply for rescheduling at least seven days before the test, the fee is AU$30 (US$25), and if done in less than seven days but before 48 hours, the fee is AU$100 (US$80).
For rescheduling your reading, listening, and writing sub-tests, the fee, if applied seven days before the exam, is AU$120 (US$95), and if applied in less than seven days but 48 hours before, the fee is AU$200 (US$155).
Note: The US$ prices apply only to candidates taking their test in America.
OET Cancellation and Refund Amount
If you have registered for OET but no longer want to take the test, you can withdraw and get a refund.
If you have opted for OET on paper:
Cancellation: To cancel your exam, you can visit the myOET candidate profile and, after logging in, select 'Withdrawal.'
Withdrawal Fee: You must pay a separate fee while canceling your exam. If you cancel the exam before the closing of the booking date, the fee applied will be AU$120. On the other hand, if you cancel it after the closing of the booking date, the fee will amount to AU$200.
Refund Amount: The administration and booking fees of AU$7 are not refunded. Also, you will get a refund only if you cancel the booking at least one week before the exam.
Before Closing Date
After Closing Date
4 sub-tests
AU$460
AU$380
3 sub-tests
AU$350.50
AU$270.50
2 sub-tests
AU$212
AU$132
1 sub-test
AU$73.50
No Refund
If you have opted for OET on a computer:
Cancellation: If you wish to cancel your OET exam, you can do so through your OET account. After logging in by entering the necessary details, select 'Cancel Booking' from the 'My Bookings’ tab.
Withdrawal Fee: While canceling your OET booking, you will be liable to pay a fee. If you cancel it ten days before the test, the OET fee is AU$127 (US$95); if you cancel it in less than ten days but before two days, the cancellation fee is AU$207 (US$155).
Refund Amount: You will only receive a refund only if you cancel the exam two days before it is scheduled. If you cancel it ten days before the test, the refund amount is AU$460(US$355); however, if you cancel it in less than ten days but before two days, the amount is AU$380 (US$295).
Note: US$ prices are only for those taking the exam in America.
Remarking the OET Sub-Tests
If your OET test results differ from your expectations or you feel there has been some mistake, you can request sub-tests remarking. Remember that post remarking, your score can either increase or decrease and will be treated as your final score.
You have to pay an OET remarking fee to request remarking, which is refunded if your grade changes.
If you take OET on paper:
You can request a remarking in a sub-test by logging into your myOET portal.
Click on the ‘Request Remarking’ link and choose the sub-test(s) for which you want the remarking done.
You can only apply for remarking within 72 hours of your results being published.
The remarking fee is AU$120 per sub-test.
If you take OET on a computer:
The remarking costs up to AU$120 (US$95 for those who took the exam in America) per sub-test.
If a request is made after 72 hours of the result declaration, it will not be accepted.
OET Exam Pattern
The OET is divided into four sub-tests – Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Below is a brief of the OET exam pattern.
Section
Details
Listening
This section is 40 minutes long and consists of 42 questions.
The topics included in this section comprise general healthcare.
You will be given different recordings to hear and answer the questions.You can hear each recording only once.
The section is further divided into three parts - consultation extracts, short workplace extracts, and presentation extracts.
Reading
In this section, there are a total of 42 questions. These are divided into three parts required to be completed in 60 minutes.
Part A consists of expeditious reading, wherein the candidate reads four short health-care-related essays and answers the questions.
Parts B and C are the careful reading sections, wherein the candidates answer MCQs after referring to the essays.
Writing
This sub-test is for 45 minutes and requires candidates to write a letter.
As per your profession, a workplace situation is given based on which you have to write the letter.
Speaking
This sub-test is conducted individually and goes on for about 20 minutes.
You are given healthcare scenarios and asked to act them out.
Through this, the examiners assess your English-speaking skills.
Conclusion
We hope the article provided you with in-depth information on fees associated with scheduling, canceling/rescheduling, and remarking the test in OET-acceptable countries. As established in the article, the OET is integral to work in the healthcare professions as it is equipped with medical terminologies and cases that help the applicants get a glimpse of the real-workplace environment and different scenarios they may encounter in their professional journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
As compared to IELTS, is OET easy?
Both tests are difficult in their way. It may be rumored that the OET is easier than the IELTS. However, that is not the case; some of the sub-tests of OET hold a significant amount of difficulty.
What is the length of time the OET certificate is valid?
The Occupational English Test certificate is valid for two years.
Mrinal Mandal is a study abroad expert with a passion for guiding students towards their international education goals. He holds a degree in mechanical engineering, earned in 2018. Since 2021, Mrinal has been working with upGrad Abroad, where he assists aspiring students in realizing their dreams of studying abroad. With his expertise and dedication, he empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of international education, making their aspirations a reality.