Advantages and disadvantages of taking the OET exam

The Occupational English Test (OET) is a specialised English proficiency exam designed specifically for healthcare professionals. Unlike general English tests, the OET focuses on medical and healthcare scenarios, making it highly relevant for those in the medical field.

As with any test, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before deciding to book an OET exam in Malaysia. By understanding and thoroughly evaluating its advantages and disadvantages, you can determine if it aligns with your career objectives and long-term goals. Let’s explore the key benefits and potential drawbacks of the OET to help you decide if it is the best fit for your professional journey.

The OET offers plenty of advantages, making it a compelling choice for healthcare professionals in Malaysia. Some of the key benefits include:

Relevance to healthcare professionals

The OET exam is specifically designed for healthcare professionals, making its content more relevant and practical for those in the medical field. The test is available for 12 different medical professions, including nursing, medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy. This specialisation ensures that the exam content is tailored to the specific needs and scenarios encountered in each profession.

The OET frequently employs medical terminology, which is crucial for effective communication in healthcare settings. For nurses, in particular, it’s essential to explain complex, technical medical terms in layman's language that patients can understand. This skill is vital not only for clear communication but also for patient safety and care quality. Nurses must also convey information in a sympathetic and empathetic manner, as their role often involves providing comfort and support to patients during challenging times. The OET prepares healthcare professionals to handle these responsibilities with confidence and competence.

Focused preparation

The OET focuses on the language skills necessary for healthcare settings, making preparation more targeted and efficient. Both the paper-based and computer-based tests present scenarios commonly encountered in the medical field, ensuring that test-takers engage with material directly applicable to their professions. Examples of this focused preparation include:

• Listening Sub-Test: Involves listening to and following health-related material, such as patient consultations and medical lectures.

• Speaking Sub-Test: Includes roleplays as a nurse or doctor, reflecting real-life consultations and weekly meetings, helping candidates practise essential communication skills.

• Writing Sub-Test: Assesses candidates on their ability to write referral or discharge letters, using a set of case notes that cover various medical scenarios, ensuring they can accurately document patient care.

By focusing on these specific aspects, the OET ensures that healthcare professionals are not only tested on their general English proficiency but also on their ability to use English in ways that are directly relevant to their careers. This makes the preparation process more engaging and directly beneficial for their future professional responsibilities.

Recognised by most English-speaking countries

While the OET hasn’t been around as long as other English exams, its validity is recognised by a number of major English-speaking countries, including the UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. This recognition makes it a valuable credential for healthcare professionals looking to work abroad, facilitating easier transfer and acceptance into healthcare roles across these regions. With the OET, professionals can demonstrate their language proficiency in a way that is directly relevant to their field, ensuring a smoother transition into international healthcare environments.

While the test is highly specialised and beneficial for healthcare professionals, the OET exam has drawbacks that can impact its overall accessibility and practicality for some test-takers. Here are some key disadvantages to consider when evaluating the OET:

Cost

The OET exam fee is considerably higher than that of other English proficiency tests, often costing three times as much as the IELTS. This higher cost can be a barrier for some candidates, especially those on a tight budget. For many aspiring healthcare professionals in Malaysia, the additional financial burden of an OET exam may pose a significant challenge, making it less accessible compared to other, more affordable English tests. This expense not only includes the initial test fee but also potential costs for preparatory courses and study materials, further increasing the overall financial commitment. Additionally, candidates must consider the costs associated with scheduling an OET exam date, which can add to the overall expense.

Recognition limitations

Although OET is recognised in many major English-speaking countries, some countries, like Canada, don’t accept it for general migration purposes. This limitation can restrict the options for healthcare professionals looking to migrate. As a result, professionals may need to take additional tests to meet the requirements for working or immigrating to certain countries, adding to the time and expense involved in achieving their career goals. This lack of universal recognition can be a significant drawback for those seeking maximum flexibility in their migration and employment opportunities.

OET Exam availability in Malaysia

The OET is only available up to 24 times a year and has far more limited testing centres, particularly in places like Malaysia. This limited availability, combined with the specific OET exam schedule, can make scheduling the test more challenging compared to other exams with more frequent and widespread test dates. Even with the introduction of the OET computer-based test, test-takers may still find it difficult to book a convenient date and location, potentially leading to delays in their certification process.

Validity

The OET exam validity period is up to 2 years, while other English exams, such as the IELTS, can be valid for up to 3 years for skilled migration applications. This shorter validity period may require candidates to retake the exam sooner than they would with other tests. As a result, professionals may face additional costs and preparation time to maintain their English proficiency certification, potentially disrupting their career progression and plans for migration. This can be particularly burdensome for those who need to balance their professional responsibilities with the demands of exam preparation.