OET FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS
OET for occupational therapists: what the test involves
OET Occupational Therapy builds its Writing and Speaking subtests around function and daily living: discharge planning, equipment recommendations, and conversations about what a patient can safely manage at home.
It is a minor OET profession, so dedicated practice material is rare, and OT candidates often end up drilling nursing letters that reward the wrong content choices.
THE TEST AT A GLANCE
Each subtest is reported from 0 to 500; most regulators ask for grade B, which is 350, in each subtest.
THE WRITING SUBTEST
The Writing subtest is a 45 minute letter from case notes, commonly a discharge or referral letter to a community OT, GP, or care coordinator covering functional status, equipment needs, and follow up. The test rewards organising by what the receiving professional must act on, not by chronology.
THE SPEAKING SUBTEST
Speaking is two role plays with you as the occupational therapist. Typical cards involve discussing home modifications with a reluctant patient, explaining energy conservation to someone recovering from illness, or agreeing realistic goals with a carer. You are marked on structure, empathy, and checking understanding as well as language.
WHO ACCEPTS IT
OET Occupational Therapy is accepted by bodies including the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia via AHPRA and the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand. In the UK, the HCPC publishes its own English language requirements, so check its current guidance. Always confirm with your regulator before booking.
LAST REVIEWED 6 JULY 2026
HOW WARDPASS HELPS
- Instant letter marking. Submit a practice letter and get criterion by criterion feedback in seconds against the six published OET Writing criteria, with your own words quoted as evidence.
- Conversational speaking practice. Role plays run as a live two way conversation with a simulated patient, marked against the published Speaking criteria.
- A readiness answer. Every attempt updates an estimate per subtest trending toward the 350 line by your exam date.
Independent preparation service. Not affiliated with, or endorsed by, OET or Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment. Practice feedback is based on published OET criteria and is not an official evaluation. Regulator requirements change: confirm current rules with the regulator directly.