Nurses, doctors, dentists, and pharmacists: choosing between OET and PTE can make or break your registration timeline. We compare both tests specifically for medical professionals in 2026.
Start OET Prep FreeThe essential comparison for healthcare workers
| Feature | OET (Occupational English Test) | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|
| Designed For | Healthcare professionals specifically | General academic/professional use |
| Test Content | Medical scenarios, patient interactions, hospital settings | General academic topics |
| Regulatory Bodies | NMC, GMC, AHPRA, MBBS, DHA, HAAD | NMC (from Aug 2024), some others |
| NMC UK Score Required | Grade B (350+) in all 4 subtests | 76 overall, min 66 each skill |
| GMC UK Accepted | Grade B in all 4 subtests | Not accepted for GMC |
| Australia (AHPRA) | Widely accepted | Accepted |
| Test Format | Paper or computer-based options | Fully computer-based |
| Duration | Approx. 3 hours | 2 hours |
| Speaking Test | Role-play with interlocutor (medical scenarios) | Computer-recorded responses |
| Writing Test | Professional referral letter (workplace task) | Summarise text + essay |
| Scoring | Grades A-E (A=500, B=350-440, C+=300-340) | 10-90 points (automated) |
| Results Time | 12-16 working days | 48 hours |
| Cost (2026) | £350-400 (varies by country) | £175 |
| Validity | 2 years | 2 years |
| Test Frequency | Monthly at limited centres | Daily at many centres |
| Sub-test Retake | Yes - OET@Home + 1-skill retake | No - must retake full test |
Every section uses healthcare scenarios. Reading uses medical journal articles. Writing asks for a referral letter. Speaking uses nurse-patient or doctor-patient role-plays. You'll never be asked to write about climate change or describe a graph about tourism.
OET Writing is a professional letter (referral, discharge, transfer) based on case notes. This is exactly what nurses and doctors do daily. PTE's essay writing is academic and less relevant to clinical practice.
You'll interact with a trained interlocutor playing a patient or carer. Scenarios include explaining medications, breaking bad news, or reassuring anxious relatives. This mirrors real clinical communication.
OET is accepted by the NMC, GMC, AHPRA (Australia), Irish Medical Council, Dubai Health Authority, and many more. PTE is NOT accepted by GMC for doctor registration.
Clinical terminology, anatomy, and medical abbreviations are built into the test. Healthcare professionals find the content familiar, reducing the cognitive load of learning test-specific vocabulary.
Failed just one section? OET allows you to retake individual sub-tests within 12 months. This saves time, money, and stress compared to retaking the entire exam.
PTE Academic results arrive within 48 hours - crucial if you have a job offer with a start date or visa deadline. OET takes 12-16 working days, which can delay your registration process significantly.
PTE Academic costs around £175 vs OET's £350-400. If you're on a budget or may need multiple attempts, PTE's lower cost is a major advantage.
PTE tests run 365 days a year at hundreds of centres globally. OET runs monthly at fewer locations. If you need to book quickly or retake soon, PTE offers far more flexibility.
PTE's fully computerised format eliminates nervousness about interacting with examiners. For test-takers who experience performance anxiety with people, this can lead to a higher score.
Find the right test for your healthcare profession and target country
| Profession | NMC/GMC Route | Australia (AHPRA) | Dubai/Ireland | Our Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (UK) | OET or PTE | OET or PTE accepted | OET preferred | OET (Grade B more achievable for nurses) |
| Doctor (UK - GMC) | OET | OET or PTE accepted | OET preferred | OET only (PTE not accepted by GMC) |
| Midwife | OET or PTE | OET preferred | OET preferred | OET |
| Dentist | OET or PTE | OET accepted | OET accepted | OET |
| Pharmacist | OET or PTE | OET or PTE | OET preferred | OET |
| Care Worker (UK Visa) | OET or IELTS UKVI | N/A | N/A | OET (if NMC registered) or IELTS UKVI |
The exact scores needed for UK nursing registration
Grade B (350+) in Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. You can combine scores from two sittings taken within 6 months, as long as you don't drop below Grade C+ (300+) in any sub-test and achieve at least 350 in each sub-test across both sittings.
Overall score of 76 with no section below 66 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). Must be achieved in a single sitting. NMC does not currently accept PTE score combining for UK registration.
Grade B in all 4 sub-tests for most healthcare professions. Some boards may accept Grade C+ in specific sub-tests. Check your specific board's requirements (NMBA for nurses, MBA for doctors).
OET Grade B in all 4 sub-tests ONLY. PTE Academic is NOT accepted by the GMC for doctor registration in the UK. If you're a doctor aiming for the UK, OET is your only option between these two tests.
Medical role-play simulations, referral letter feedback, and profession-specific vocabulary. Built for nurses, doctors, and all healthcare professionals.