OET in Nigeria. The English test for healthcare.
OET is the English test built for nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals. It is recognised by healthcare regulators in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, the US, Dubai and Singapore. This guide explains the format, the scores healthcare boards ask for, and how to book OET from Nigeria on the official OET website.
What is OET, and who needs it?
The Occupational English Test checks the English you use at work in healthcare: talking to patients, reading clinical texts and writing referral letters. If you are registering with a nursing, medical or allied health board abroad, it is often one of the tests they accept.
The OET format.
| Sub-test | What you do | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | Consultation extracts, short workplace recordings and healthcare talks. The same for every profession. | 40 min |
| Reading | Short and longer healthcare texts. The same for every profession. | 60 min |
| Writing | A letter, usually a referral, written from case notes. Specific to your profession. | 45 min |
| Speaking | Two role-plays with an interlocutor playing a patient or carer. Specific to your profession. | 20 min |
OET scores and grades.
0 to 500
Each sub-test gets its own score from 0 to 500 and a grade from A to E. There is no overall score: every sub-test stands on its own.
Grade B, 350
Most healthcare boards ask for grade B, a score of 350, in each sub-test. Some set a different level for Writing.
NMC levels
The Nursing and Midwifery Council asks for B (350) in Listening, Reading and Speaking, and C+ (300) in Writing. Check the current NMC page before you book.
How to book OET in Nigeria.
On paper or on computer at an authorised venue, or OET@Home from your own space.
Register on the official OET website and choose your profession.
Search your city on OET’s Book a test page to see current venues and dates in Nigeria.
Pay online within 15 minutes of choosing your date. A confirmation email follows.
Booking, fees, venues and results are all handled by OET. Start at oet.com/test/book-a-test.
How to prepare for OET.
Referral letters
Practise turning case notes into a clear, well organised letter for your own profession. Select only the notes the reader needs and keep the purpose clear in the opening lines.
Role-plays
Rehearse patient and carer conversations aloud: explaining a diagnosis, giving advice and responding to concerns with empathy, in plain, professional English.
Clinical English
Use OET’s official sample tests and practise under time, so the speed of the real test is familiar on the day.
Official sample tests and preparation material are on the OET website.
Asked and answered.
Can I take OET in Nigeria?
Yes. OET runs in Nigeria at authorised test venues, and OET@Home lets you sit the test from home. Search your city on OET’s Book a test page to see the current venues, modes and dates.
How do I book OET in Nigeria?
Create an account on the official OET website, choose your profession, test mode, venue and date, then pay online. You have 15 minutes to complete payment once you select a date.
What OET score do nurses need for the UK?
The UK Nursing and Midwifery Council asks for grade B, a score of 350, in Listening, Reading and Speaking, and grade C+, a score of 300, in Writing. Always check the current NMC page before you book.
How long does OET take?
The four sub-tests take about three hours in total. Listening, Reading and Writing are taken together, and Speaking is a short session of two role-plays.
Which professions can take OET?
Twelve healthcare professions, including medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, radiography, dietetics, occupational therapy, optometry, podiatry, speech pathology and veterinary science.
How much is OET in Nigeria?
The test fee is set by OET and can change, so check the current fee in your OET account when you book. You pay OET directly online.