OET Test Day Information

What to expect on OET test day

OET is taken at a secure test centre, where you will need to show your ID, check in with the test administrator, and sit your test in a secure room.

Arrival time

This varies from state to state. Please refer to the Timetabling Email that you will receive.

How long is the test?

Approx 3 hours for the written tests, then a 20 minute speaking test scheduled on the same day.

Identification (ID)

You must bring the ID document you used when you applied for OET for identification purposes. Unless you have an authorisation letter from OET, you will not be able to sit the tests without it.

What can I bring into the test room?

• Passport
• Pens, pencils and erasers (no mechanical pens)
• Water in a small, clear bottle (no label)

What can't I bring into the test room?

• Digital devices (mobile phones, iPods, digital watches, etc.)
• Watches
• Bags, wallets, keys
• Coats, jackets, hoodies, scarves, gloves, caps, beanies, hats
• Medication, handkerchiefs, tissues
• Cases for pens or glasses
• Dictionary, pieces of paper
• Mechanical pens or pencils, highlighters, correction fluid

Valuables

A locked bag room is available for candidate’s belongings.Please note that NETC is not responsible for loss or damage of personal items. Please leave valuables at home.

Illness, cancellations and transfers

Test day format

There are four sub-tests:

Listening (approx. 50 minutes)

Same content for all healthcare professions.

Part A: recorded, simulated professional/patient consultation with note-taking questions.

Part B: recorded talk or lecture on health-related topic, with range of short and multiple choice answers.

Reading (1 hour)

Same content for all healthcare professions.

Part A: skim and scan short health-related texts and complete a summary paragraph by filling in missing words.

Part B: read longer health-related texts and answer multiple-choice questions.

Writing (45 minutes)

Specific to profession, based on typical workplace situations.
The task is to write a letter, usually a referral letter. Sometimes, especially for some professions, a different type of letter is required: e.g. a letter of transfer or discharge, or a letter to advise or inform a patient, carer, or group.

Speaking (approx. 20 minutes)

Specific to profession, based on typical workplace situations.
In a private room you will take part in two role plays. You take your professional role (as a healthcare professional) while the interlocutor plays a patient or client, or sometimes a relative or carer.

More info >

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FAQ

Courses are delivered by Navitas English (Navitas English Services Pty Ltd ACN 002 069 730), CRICOS Provider Code 00289M; Courses in Victoria are delivered by Hawthorn-Melbourne (Hawthorn Learning Pty Ltd ACN 124 208 171) CRICOS Provider Code 02931G. TOEFL® and TOEFL iBT® are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS) in the United States and other countries.