Overview of the OET English Test in Malaysia

The Occupational English Test (OET) is a widely recognised English proficiency exam, particularly popular among healthcare professionals such as nurses in Malaysia. If you’re exploring healthcare opportunities overseas and are curious about the OET exam, this guide will provide a comprehensive overview.

We will cover what the OET exam entails, its significance, and the specific requirements for the OET exam. This information will help you determine if the OET is the right English proficiency test for you, ensuring that you meet the language standards required by healthcare institutions globally.

The OET exam assesses the English language proficiency of healthcare professionals in Indonesia seeking to register and practise in an English-speaking setting. Designed to meet the communication needs of medical professionals in the workplace, the OET provides a valid and reliable assessment of language skills.

This means that the test uses real healthcare scenarios relevant to your profession. The OET is specifically tailored for healthcare professionals, with versions available for 12 different professions:

• Dentistry

• Dietetics

• Medicine

• Nursing

• Occupational Therapy

• Optometry

• Pharmacy

• Physiotherapy

• Podiatry

• Radiography

• Speech Pathology

• Veterinary Science

The OET was created in the late 1980s by Professor Tim McNamara, under the guidance of the Australian National Office for Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR). Initially administered by NOOSR, the test was developed to address the specific language proficiency needs of medical professionals seeking to work in English-speaking environments. 

Recognising the importance of keeping the test relevant and accurate, the University of Melbourne's Language Testing Research Centre and Cambridge Assessment English have since undertaken the responsibility of developing the test through continuous research. This ongoing development ensures that the OET exam remains aligned with the latest theories and practices in language assessment.

The combined efforts of the prestigious institutions - Cambridge English and Box Hill Institute, have solidified the OET's reputation as a reliable and relevant English proficiency test tailored specifically for the healthcare sector. As a result, the OET exam continues to be widely recognised and trusted by healthcare regulators, employers, and educational institutions around the world.

OET results are accepted as proof of English language proficiency worldwide. Here are some examples of countries and institutions that accept this test:

Australia:

• Department of Home Affairs 

• Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency Boards:

  • Chinese Medicine Board of Australia

  • Dental Board of Australia

  • Medical Board of Australia

  • Physiotherapy Board of Australia

  • Podiatry Board of Australia

• Other Boards and Councils:

  • Australasian Veterinary Boards Council

  • Australian Dental Council

  • Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS)

  • South Australian Medical Education and Training

  • Speech Pathology Australia

• Queensland Police Service

• Major Universities, Tafes, and Higher Education Institutions:

  • Curtin University

  • ALACC Health College, Australia

  • Australian College of Nursing

  • TAFE SA 

  • UOW College Australia

Canada

• Healthcare Boards & Colleges:

  • College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta

  • College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta

  • College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia

  • Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals

  • The College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of British Columbia (CSHBC)

• Practice Ready Assessment Programs:

  • Practice Ready Assessment – British Columbia

  • Practice Ready Assessment – New Brunswick

  • Practice Ready Ontario

• Academic and Medical Residency Programs:

  • Alberta Health Services

  • AIMGA

  • Dalhousie University

  • The Alberta International Medical Graduate Program

  • Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University

  • McMaster University- Postgraduate Medical Education- Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine

New Zealand

• Healthcare Boards and Councils:

  • Dental Council of New Zealand 

  • Dietitians Board of New Zealand 

  • Medical Council of New Zealand

  • Podiatrists Board of New Zealand

  • Veterinary Council of New Zealand 

• Universities and Education:

  • AGI Education Ltd

  • Ara Institute of Canterbury

  • Aspire2 International

  • WINTEC

  • UP Education 

Singapore

• Singapore Dental Council 

• Singapore Medical Council 

• Singapore Pharmacy Council 

• Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) professions:

  • AHPC – Occupational Therapy 

  • AHPC – Physiotherapy 

  • AHPC – Speech-language Therapy 

  • AHPC – Radiation Therapy 

  • AHPC – Diagnostic Radiography

United Kingdom

• Healthcare Boards and Councils:

  • Academy of Medical Royal Colleges  

  • ENT UK

  • General Medical Council

  • The Royal College of Pathologists  

  • The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh  

• Universities and Education:

  • Aston University

  • Brunel University London

  • Canterbury Christ Church University

  • University of the West of Scotland 

  • Veterinary Management Group

• NHS Hospitals and Trusts:

  • Airedale NHS Foundation Trust

  • Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust

  • Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

  • Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust

  • York & Scarborough NHS Foundation Trust

• Employers:

  • Bupa Group Health Insurance

  • New Victoria Hospital 

  • Ramsay Health Care

  • Skyline Medical & Aesthetic Clinic

  • Stow Healthcare

• Recruitment:

  • 360Medicare Personnel

  • Adevia Health

  • Advanta Healthcare

  • The Placement Group

  • Willow Recruitment London Ltd

United States of America

• National healthcare regulators and credentialing organisations*:

  • Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) - a member of Intealth

  • CGFNS International

  • Josef Silny and Associates, Inc 

  • International Education Evaluations

  • SpanTran: The Evaluation Company

And more.

*The requirements for obtaining a licence to practice differ in each jurisdiction and are subject to change. Hence, you should confirm the licensing processes and requirements of the state/territory you're applying to.

Do note that this list is not exhaustive. For the full list of organisations and institutions that accept this test, candidates should check the OET site. 

The OET exam format is available in two forms: the OET Full Format, which can be taken as a paper-based or computer-based test, and the OET@home. Both formats are identical in content and structure. The OET@home was introduced during the pandemic to provide flexibility, allowing candidates to take the test from their homes. It is the same test conducted at designated OET test centres in Malaysia.

For the paper-based OET, you can book your test 24 days in advance of the test day, and you will receive your results after 17 days. Meanwhile, for the computer-based OET, you can book your test as close as seven days in advance of the test day, and you will receive your results in just 10 days. 

For OET@home, you also have the option to book your test seven days in advance of the test day, and you will receive your results in just 10 days. This home-based format provides the ultimate flexibility, allowing you to take the test from the comfort of your own home while still adhering to the same content and structure as the other formats. 

However, you should note that the OET@home is currently available only for Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Physiotherapy. Furthermore, not all institutions recognise the OET@home test in the same way as the full format test. Therefore, it is crucial to check that the organisation you are submitting your results to accepts OET@home before booking your OET exam in Malaysia.