OET FOR SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS
OET for speech pathologists: what the test involves
OET Speech Pathology frames Writing and Speaking around communication and swallowing: assessment reports, safe swallowing recommendations, and coaching carers to carry a plan into daily life.
There is almost no targeted OET material for speech pathologists, despite the profession's letters being unusually technical: a dysphagia recommendation has to be precise enough to be safe.
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, typically to a GP, ward team, or community service summarising an assessment, swallowing recommendations, or a therapy plan and referral. The marking rewards precision and selection: recommendations the reader can act on, without the full assessment transcript.
THE SPEAKING SUBTEST
Speaking is two role plays with you as the speech pathologist. Typical cards involve explaining modified diet textures to a patient or carer, coaching a family member on communication strategies after a stroke, or managing frustration when progress is slow. You are marked on structure, empathy, and checking understanding as well as language.
WHO ACCEPTS IT
OET Speech Pathology is accepted in contexts including Speech Pathology Australia's certification requirements and the New Zealand Speech-language Therapists' Association. Routes differ by country and can change, so confirm the current requirements with the body you are applying to 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.