Occupational English Test
Administered by Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment (CBLA)
A healthcare-specific English language test accepted by regulators in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and other countries. Unlike IELTS, all reading and listening content is drawn from healthcare contexts, making it more relevant for clinical professionals.
Quick Facts
Format
4 sub-tests: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking
Duration
Approximately 3 hours
Passing Score
Grade B (score of 350+) in each sub-test for most regulators
Valid For
2 years from the test date
Cost
Approximately N150,000 (AUD 587 for the full test)
Cost in Naira
Approximately N150,000
Test Centres in Nigeria
- OET test venue Lagos
- OET test venue Abuja
What is Tested
Listening
Healthcare-themed recordings including consultations and lectures. Tests ability to follow health professional conversations and extract key clinical information.
Reading
3 parts with healthcare-themed texts. Tests skimming, scanning, and detailed comprehension of clinical and health policy material.
Writing
Write a profession-specific letter (referral, discharge, or transfer letter) based on case notes. The task is tailored to your healthcare profession.
Speaking
Two role-plays simulating workplace communication. You play the healthcare professional and the examiner plays the patient or carer.
How to Register
- 1
Create an account at oet.com.
- 2
Select your healthcare profession (medicine, nursing, pharmacy, etc.).
- 3
Choose between OET on paper or OET on computer.
- 4
Select a test venue in Nigeria and choose your preferred date.
- 5
Pay the test fee.
- 6
Receive your confirmation and test day instructions.
- 7
Attend the test with valid identification.
Tips for Nigerian Candidates
OET is increasingly accepted as an alternative to IELTS for healthcare registration. Check if your target regulator accepts it.
The GMC (UK doctors), NMC (UK nurses), and AHPRA (Australia) all accept OET Grade B.
OET is generally considered easier for healthcare professionals because the content is clinical rather than general academic.
The writing task is a clinical letter, not an essay. If you are comfortable writing referral letters, this may suit you better than IELTS.
OET in Nigeria is available at select venues in Lagos and Abuja. Check oet.com for current locations.
Results are typically available within 16 business days.
You can re-sit individual sub-tests rather than the whole exam, saving money if you only fail one component.
Preparation Tips
The writing sub-test is profession-specific. Practise writing clinical letters for your specific cadre.
Familiarise yourself with the OET writing criteria: purpose, content, tone, and language.
For speaking, practise clinical role-plays. Focus on empathy, clear explanations, and checking understanding.
Reading Part A requires rapid scanning. Practise identifying key information quickly across multiple texts.
Listening content is healthcare-focused, so your clinical vocabulary is an advantage over IELTS.
Take OET practice tests on the official OET website to understand the format.
If you score well on listening and reading but struggle with writing, consider OET over IELTS.
Recommended Resources
Cost Breakdown
Exam Fee
Approximately N150,000 (AUD 587 for the full test)
In Naira
Approximately N150,000
Who Needs This Exam
Healthcare professionals who need to demonstrate English proficiency for international registration. Accepted by GMC, NMC, AHPRA, and others.
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Exam fees, visa costs, and requirements change frequently. The information on this page was last reviewed in April 2026. Always confirm fees and requirements directly with the official body before making payments or decisions.
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