OET Medicine: What the Test Looks Like for Doctors (Writing, Speaking and Scores)

OET Medicine explained: what is the same as other professions, what is specific to doctors in Writing and Speaking, how scoring works and how to prepare.

"OET Medicine" is the version of the Occupational English Test for doctors. It has the same four sub-tests as every other OET profession. Two of them, Listening and Reading, are identical across professions, while Writing and Speaking use medicine-specific tasks.

What Is the Same for Doctors and Everyone Else

Listening: about 45 minutes, 42 questions in three parts.
Reading: 60 minutes, 42 questions in three parts.
Scoring: 0 to 500 for each sub-test. There is no single overall score.

What Is Specific to OET Medicine

Writing

You receive case notes about a patient and write a letter, most often a referral letter to another doctor, within 45 minutes (including 5 minutes of reading time). The skill is choosing the information the reader needs and presenting it clearly. See our referral letter guide.

Speaking

You take part in two role-plays where you act as a doctor and the interlocutor acts as a patient or carer. You have preparation time before each. You are assessed on language and on clinical communication: building rapport, gathering information, explaining and structuring the conversation. See the Speaking guide and a worked example.

What Score Do Doctors Need?

Requirements depend on the regulator and country. Many ask for a B in every sub-test, and some ask for more. Read OET Grade B for doctors and confirm the requirement with your regulator before you start.

How to Prepare as a Doctor

Take a diagnostic to see which sub-test is weakest. Doctors often find Writing letter-selection and Speaking structure harder than Reading.
Practise Writing and Speaking with medicine-specific tasks.
Use Listening and Reading practice to build speed and accuracy.
Follow a plan such as the 8-week OET study plan.

For the whole picture, read the complete OET guide for doctors, and see OET vs IELTS if you are deciding which test to take.

Practise With Real-Format Tests

OET Practice on HighYield has full-length Listening and Reading tests in the real format, Writing letters with model answers and Speaking role-plays. Try the free Listening test to see how it works.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is OET Medicine?

It is the OET for doctors. Listening and Reading are the same as for other professions; Writing and Speaking use tasks based on medical situations.

How long is the OET for doctors?

Listening is about 45 minutes, Reading 60, Writing 45 and Speaking about 20.

What grade do doctors need in OET?

It depends on the regulator. Many ask for B in each sub-test. Confirm with your regulator.

Is OET Medicine easier than IELTS?

It depends on you. OET uses healthcare content, which many doctors find more natural, but it still tests English communication closely. See our OET vs IELTS comparison.