OET Nursing and OET Medicine: The Occupational English Test (OET) is still a must-have for healthcare workers who want to move to or register in English-speaking countries like Australia, the UK, New Zealand, and Canada. 

The OET is a language test that is specifically designed for 12 healthcare professions, such as nursing and medicine. It tests language skills in real-world medical situations, making it more useful for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers than general tests like IELTS. 

The OET is still changing as of October 2025. Recent improvements have focused on making scoring more clear and easy to understand, so that it can meet the needs of healthcare shortages around the world. 

This article goes into great detail about the differences and similarities between OET for Nursing and OET for Medicine across the four sub-tests: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. 

Reading and listening are the same for all jobs, but writing and speaking are different for each job because nurses and doctors have different communication needs. 

We'll look at formats, question types, subtypes, required skills, and scoring details, and we'll use tables to make things clearer. The most recent updates for 2025, which add an overall numerical score, have changed how people prepare for tests to focus on overall performance. 

For people who want to be nurses or doctors, it's important to know these differences in order to study effectively. Websites like oetpro.com offer practice tests for specific professions that help users mimic test conditions and keep track of their progress. 

This guide will help you get the B grade (or equivalent) you need on all of your sub-tests, whether you're a registered nurse looking to move to Australia or a doctor getting ready to register in the UK. 

A look at the OET structure

There are over 160 test centers around the world where you can take the OET on paper or on a computer. The test lasts three hours, plus 45 minutes for Reading Part A. It gives grades from A to E (A=450–500, B=350–440, etc.) for each sub-test, with a score of 0–500.

To pass, you usually need to get at least a B on each sub-test. But requirements differ by country and job. For example, Australia's AHPRA requires B in all subjects for both nursing and medicine. The UK's GMC, on the other hand, lets doctors get a B in Writing and a C+ in other subjects. 

Reading and Listening are both general tests that use a wide range of healthcare situations. In Writing (task-based letters) and Speaking (role-plays), nursing stresses patient-centered care and teamwork, while medicine stresses diagnostic consultations and referrals. 

In 2025, there will be more than 50 test dates each year, and results will be available online within 5 to 10 days. 

Part	OET Nursing	OET Medicine
Target Audience	Registered nurses and enrolled nurses	Doctors, surgeons, and other medical professionals
Primary Settings	Care for patients, notes for handover, and teams from different fields	Appointments, referrals, and tests
Differences in Sub-tests	Writing: letters of referral or discharge; Speaking: talking to nurses and patients	Writing: medical reports and referrals; Speaking: consultations between doctors and patients
Minimum Scores for 2025 (for example, Australia)	B in all; C+ in writing is okay in some cases	B in all
Price	~AUD 587 (the same for everyone)	~AUD 587 (the same for everyone)

 

 This table shows the common framework with profession-specific parts, which is why personalized preparation through sites like oetpro.com is so important.

The Reading Sub-Test is the same for both nursing and medicine.

The Reading sub-test (60 minutes, 42 questions) is the same for all professions. It tests how well you understand healthcare texts like articles, guidelines, and patient notes.

There are three parts to it: A (quick reading), B (workplace texts), and C (in-depth analysis). Because there is no content that is specific to a profession, nurses and doctors face the same problems, which are speed, inference, and vocabulary.

Part A: Quick Reading

Format: 15 minutes, four short texts (like case notes), and 20 questions.

Types:

Matching (6 questions): Match headings or items (like symptoms) to texts A-D.

Gap-Fill (14 questions): Use a word bank to fill in the blanks in your notes.

Skills: Looking for details; medical terms (like "dyspnea" for both jobs).

 

Part B: Short Texts

Format: 6 texts (150–200 words, like memos) and 6 multiple-choice questions.

Different types:

Purpose/Intent (2–3 questions): Find out what the writer wants to do.

Detail/Information (2 questions): Remembering facts.

Inference (1–2 questions): what is meant by something?

Skills: Professional talk and quick skimming.

 

Part C: Longer Texts

Format: two texts (800 words total) and sixteen multiple-choice questions.

Types:

Main Idea (3–4 questions): The main points of the argument.

Specific Detail (3 questions): Facts and numbers.

Inference/Opinion (5–6 questions): attitudes and biases.

Vocabulary/Context (2–3 questions): What words mean.

Reference/Conclusion (2 questions): Connections that make sense.

Skills: Critical analysis and synthesizing perspectives are essential for evidence-based practice in both domains.

Because they are the same, the scores are the same (aim for 30/42 for a B). Reading modules on oetpro.com help everyone build their stamina.

Listening Sub-Test: Used by Many Professions

The Listening sub-test (45 minutes, 42 questions) uses audio from healthcare settings that is the same for both nursing and medicine. It has three parts, and they go from concrete to abstract.

Part A: Notes from the meeting

Format: 2 recordings of doctor/nurse-patient interactions and 24 questions with blanks to fill in.

Types:

Note Completion (12 per recording): Fill out the patient's history, symptoms, and plans.

Skills: Taking notes, speaking in British and Australian accents, and using medical jargon.

Part B: Short Pieces from the Workplace

Format: six recordings (one to two minutes long, like team briefings) and six multiple-choice questions.

Different types:

Purpose (three questions): gets to the point.

Detail (2 questions): Important information.

Inference (1 question): What does this mean?

Skills: Being able to listen carefully and do more than one thing at once.

 

Part C: Longer Talks

2 three-part discussions (like radio interviews about health topics) and 12 multiple-choice questions.

Different types:

Main Argument (4 questions): Main ideas.

Supporting Detail (3 questions): Proof.

Opinion/Attitude (3 questions): What the speaker thinks.

 

Skills: Understanding abstract ideas and following debates.

Uniformity means working together to get ready, but nurses might prefer care-focused audio. Both can take Listening tests on the website ietpro.com, which gives instant scores.

Writing Sub-Test:
The Main Differences Between Nursing and Medicine: The Writing sub-test (45 minutes, one task) is for a specific job and needs a 180–200-word answer. It checks for grammar, structure, and clarity in business emails.

Writing for Nursing in OET: Type of Task: Write a letter based on case notes (for example, sending someone to a social worker or sending them home to their family).

 

Different kinds of tasks:

Referral Letters (40%): To other services that help patients, like home care for the elderly.

Discharge/Handover Letters (30%): These letters summarize care plans to make sure they stay the same.

Advice Letters (20%): To patients and their caregivers about how to take care of things like wounds.

Information Letters (10%): To coworkers about rules.

Skills: Language that focuses on the patient; empathy; short bullet points from notes. Grammar point: use conditionals to give advice.

Writing for Medicine in OET

Type of task: Write a letter based on case notes, like a referral to a specialist or a medical report.

Different kinds of tasks: 50% of referral letters go to consultants for diagnostics, like a cardiology referral.

Discharge Summaries (25%): Given to GPs after the patient leaves the hospital.

Advice/Report Letters (25%): To patients who are getting treatment or their insurance companies.

Skills: Using a formal, objective tone; using the right words; making sure the history flows logically into the recommendations.

Nursing tasks focus on holistic care and working together, while medicine focuses on diagnostics and authority. In 2025, Australia's NMBA will accept a Ca grade of + in Nursing Writing (down from a Ba grade of ), making it easier for nurses to get in. oetpro.com's writing simulators give each user personalized feedback.

Writing Element Tone	Nursing Helpful and understanding	Medicine Authoritative, clinical
Form	Introduction (what it's for), body (summary of notes), and closing (what to do)	History, examination, plan, and suggestions
Common Mistakes	Content limit exceeded for too personal content	Unclear referrals; too much jargon
Weight of the Score	25% for purpose, 25% for content, 25% for grammar, and 25% for coherence	Same standards

 

Speaking Sub-Test: Role-Play Differences
The Speaking sub-test is an interactive test that lasts 20 minutes and has two role-plays. It uses scenarios that are specific to your profession to mimic everyday conversations. Recorded for assessment.

OET Speaking for Nursing
Format: 2 role-plays (3-5 minutes each); candidate as nurse, interlocutor as patient/colleague.

Different Types of Role-Plays:

Interactions with patients (50%): For example, teaching patients how to manage their diabetes.

Team Communications (30%): Give the information to the doctor or another health professional.

Ethical Scenarios (20%): Consent discussions or family counselling.

Skills: being able to listen, comfort, and be aware of other cultures. Use phrases like "How are you feeling about that?"

OET Speaking for Medicine
Format: 2 role-plays (3-5 minutes each); candidate as doctor.

Different Types of Role-Plays:

Consultations (60%): taking a patient's history and explaining a diagnosis, like high blood pressure.

Referrals/Bad News (30%): Talking about surgery or test results.

Follow-Ups (10%): Checks to make sure people are following their treatment.

Skills: how to ask questions, how to show empathy, and how to be professional. "Based on your symptoms..."

 

Role-playing in nursing emphasizes relational dynamics, while in medicine it emphasizes explanatory precision. Both look at how clear, fluent, and relevant something is. Video role-plays are part of the prep on oetpro.com.

Speaking Criterion	Focus on nursing	Focus on Medicine
Building Relationships	High (key to empathy)	Medium (clinical rapport)
Getting Information	Medium	High (detailed history)
Explanation	Helpful tips	Technical information
Tip for 2025	Add telehealth scenarios	Talks about AI diagnostics

 

Scoring and Requirements: Differences Based on Profession

OET scores are good for two years. Starting on January 29, 2025, there will be numerical bands (0–10) to make it easier to compare with IELTS. An overall score is the average of all the sub-tests, which makes it easier to apply for a visa.

Nursing: Writing scores are often lower (for example, a C+ on the UK NMC); the focus is on how well you can communicate.

Medicine: Stricter, B minimum in all for GMC/AMC; emphasizes accuracy.

Table of countries:

Country/Body	Need for Nursing	Requirement for Medicine
Australia (AHPRA/NMBA)	B all; Writing C+ from 2025	B all
UK (NMC/GMC)	B Listening, Reading, and Speaking; C+ Writing	B all
New Zealand	B all	B all
Canada	B equivalent; varies	B equal

 

The most recent news about OET Nursing and OET Medicine in 2025

 

In 2025, there were big changes: the overall score for tContentency went from 0 to 10, results came in 5 to 10 days, and there were more digital options. There are no major changes to the format, but the content covers modern topics like AI ethics and telehealth, which are important to both fields.

Longer dates (every two weeks) cut down on wait times. Flexible Writing scores in Australia help with nursing shortages, but medicine stays the same. Check with official sites.

How to Use oetpro.com to Get Ready

To be successful, you need to focus on your prep for 4 to 6 weeks. For shared sub-tests, use general resources; for specifics, profession mocks.

Nursing: Practice using empathetic language and acting as a patient advocate.

Medicine: Improve your diagnostic scripts and referral templates.

oetpro.com is different because it has more than 100 practice tests, instant feedback for Listening/Reading, and Writing/Speaking analytics. Free trials let you try out the Nursing and Medicine modules, and users say their scores go up by 20%. Add official samples, daily reading (BMJ for doctors, Nursing Times for nurses), and error logs to the mix.

Advanced: Use spreadsheets to keep track; join oetpro.com forums to get advice from other users. Do full tests every week.

OET Nursing and OET Medicine have a strong base in Reading and Listening, but they are different in Writing and Speaking. This is similar to how nursing involves working together to provide care, while medicine involves making deep diagnoses.

With the new scoring system and the flexibility of 2025, especially for nurses, it is easier to become qualified.

You can get the most out of your preparation by breaking down subtypes and using comparison tools. Platforms like oetpro.com give you the edge because they are cheap, flexible, and work. Start practicing today to ensure your future in global healthcare.