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.