Category: Application Tips

If you were trained as a nurse of midwife outside of the European Economic Area, you will have to complete the Computer-Based Test (CBT) to register with NMC.

The CBT is one of two exams which form NMC’s Test of Competence (ToC).

This evaluates candidates’ medical knowledge, numeracy skills and understanding of nursing or midwifery values according to UK standards.

At Fast Track IELTS, we want to share 5 things that you need to know about the CBT so that you can book and pass this exam with ease.

Let’s take a look…

1. The NMC will confirm if you need to take the CBT

You may be planning ahead and wondering if you need to take the CBT test or not.

Well, you’ll be happy to know that the NMC will confirm this for you.

For NMC to decide this, there are a few things you must do first. You will have to:

• start your registration application (see our article “How to Register with NMC” for more help with this)
• complete the Eligibility and Qualification Verification application
• pay the eligibility fee

Once the NMC have confirmed that you are eligible for registration, they will contact you by email to confirm whether you have to sit the CBT based on where you qualified.

2. An account with Pearson Vue is automatically created for you.

Once the NMC have confirmed that you need to take the CBT test, an account with Pearson Vue will be automatically created for you.

Pearson Vue are the test providers for the CBT and they have many test centres to choose from in the UK. If you want to find a test centre near you, follow this link.

Make sure to keep an eye on your emails, including your junk/spam folder, as the NMC will send your username and password to you via email.

We would recommend adding “@pearson.com” to your list of safe senders to ensure that you don’t miss anything important.

You will then receive instructions on booking your exam by using your online account.

We would recommend adding “@pearson.com” to your list of safe senders to ensure that you don’t miss anything important.

3. There are 3 key resources you need for revision.

The CBT consists of two parts:

• Part A: A test on numeracy, focusing on basic calculations such as drug dosages and IV rates.
• Part B: A test on clinical theory and knowledge, covering topics such as patient care, infection control, and ethical decision-making.

You will need to closely read the following resources:

The NMC Code

This document is crucial as it explains all key principles which the NMC hold to as well as guidance on how to deal with certain situations.

To view the NMC Code, click this link.

You will find additional resources and information at the bottom of the link provided which focus on the following areas:

Make sure to review each of these areas and make notes on the guidance as you may be given situations like this in your clinical questions.

The CBT Blueprint

This document outlines the 7 different platforms that you will be tested on in the CBT exam.

You are then provided with a (quite long) list of everything that you may be asked about in the CBT or OSCE.

To view the Nursing Blueprint, click here.

To view the Midwifery Blueprint, click here.

We would recommend taking one platform at a time and carefully reviewing the information that you will be expected to know.

If there are topics that you are not knowledgeable on, you could review your nursing course notes or revise online.

Practice Tests

Once you have completed your revision, you can put everything into practice by trying to complete the practice tests available from Pearson Vue.

To view the practice tests, click here.

These will give you a clear idea of what to expect on exam day, how the computer-based test will look and how you navigate the test, moving from one question to the next.

4. You can re-sit one part of the CBT if you don’t pass.

To pass the CBT, you need to score:

• Part A: at least 13 out of 15 questions
• Part B: at least 68 out of 100 questions

You will receive your results by email within 48 hours of sitting the exam with either “pass” or “fail”.

The good news is that if you fail one part of the exam, you don’t need to re-sit both parts. You can simply re-book the part that you failed.

Re-sits can be booked just 10 days after your last attempt.

Remember though, you only have three attempts at each part and if you do not pass within three attempts, you will have to re-start your NMC application and wait another 6 months before attempting again.

5. If numeracy is challenging, our CBT course can help you.

If numbers are not your thing, Part A Numeracy of the CBT can seem quite daunting.

Don’t panic! In our 5-lesson CBT course, we review all the numeracy equations and techniques that you will need to pass Part A easily, all in one lesson.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you will be provided with a calculator on your computer screen as well as a whiteboard if you wish to write out your calculations.

Contact Us Today For Help

If you need additional help, we offer many more practice questions for both clinical and numeracy to ensure that you are well prepared for the exam.

To find out more about our CBT course, leave a comment or contact us via email on contact@passmyielts.com and we’ll be happy to discuss the best option for you!

If you want to work as a nurse, midwife or nursing associate in the UK, you must register with NMC (Nursing and Midwife Council).

This process can be overwhelming for international graduates so let us guide you through the process with our step-by-step definitive guide to ensure that your registration application goes as smoothly as possible.

Let’s get started!

Overview

There are 6 steps to registration with NMC:

1. Preparation
2. Setting up an NMC Online Account
3. eligibility and qualification Verification
4. Test of Competence (ToC)
5. Completing registration application
6. Verifying application

Step 1: Preparation

A. Pre-Application Checklist

To avoid any delays, it’s a good idea to have your documents and proof ready before starting the application.

The NMC have created a helpful checklist tool which will give you a list of the documents that you need. Click here to access the checklist tool.

Once you have received your checklist, make sure to download a PDF copy to your device for future reference:

B. Documents You Need

Here is a list of documents and information you will need for registration.

Criteria	Necessary Documents
Proof of Identity	A valid passport. Must have at least 3 months before expiry date.
Eligibility	Original qualification certificate (e.g. your degree). If you have more than one qualification, upload the qualification that would allow you to become a nurse in your home country.
Health	Contact details for your GP (a registered medical practitioner) who can make a supporting declaration to confirm your health.
Character	A standard DBS certificate if you have lived in the UK for more than three months when you apply. Certificate date must be within 12 months of application date. See Step 5 for further info.
Language	A copy of your OET or IELTS test certificate. For OET, NMC can view your results digitally if you select “Manage Verifier Access” and select NMC on your OET dashboard. Results are valid for 2 years.

Depending on your circumstances, it could be beneficial to have the following documents also prepared:

Criteria	Optional Documents
Proof of Identity	If you have changed your name, you will need a certificate to prove this (e.g. marriage, civil partnership, divorce or deed poll notification). A scanned copy will be enough for your application but the original version is required later in the process.
Eligibility	If your qualifications are not in English, you will also need a certified English translation. For more info, go to Step 3.
	If you were never registered in your home country, you may need to provide contact details for the university where you qualified.
	If you were previously registered in your country, you will need to provide contact details for your country’s nursing regulator. (The equivalent of NMC). You will also need a copy of your registration certificate. Remember that if this is not in English, you must get an English certified translation.
Character	If you have lived in any country for more than 12 months in the last 10 years, you need a police clearance certificate from each country. Certificate date must be within 12 months of application date.
Professional Indemnity	While you don’t need to have physical proof of this, it is important to check if your employer will provide this or not.

Step 2: Setting up an NMC Online Account

A. Getting Started

You are now ready to begin your application!

Click here to start the NMC online application.

The first window requires you to confirm your profession:

If you choose nursing, you will also have to select the field in which you intend to work:

You must confirm that you have read and understood the application information and also that you don’t already have an NMC Pin in the UK.

Note: If you have already started an application and received an NMC Pin, you won’t need to complete these steps. Go straight to Step 3: Eligibility and Qualification Verification.

Next, you will have to confirm your home country and where you trained/qualified:

Double-check the summary provided and then click “I understand” and “Next”.

Finally, make sure to take note of the following advice:

Important: You MUST ensure these details are correct otherwise you risk having to re-start the application and lose your eligibility fee.

B. Register for NMC Online

After selecting “Sign up to register with NMC Online”, you will have to fill in a form with some basic information about yourself:

Once complete, tick the box to confirm that you have understood and accepted the terms and conditions.

Top Tip: Remember to add “NMC-UK.ORG” to your list of safe senders so that any emails from NMC will not go straight to your junk/spam folder.

Next, you will have to create a password for your account.

Make sure to take note of this somewhere safe!

When you press ‘Submit’, NMC will send a verification email to the email address provided earlier.

It should only take a few minutes to receive this email and make sure to check your junk/spam folder too.

The email will look like this:

All that is left to do is to select “Confirm email address” and you have successfully created an NMC Online account!

C. Logging on for First Time

Now that you have an NMC Online account, you can log on at any time to do the following:

• work on your application
• check the progress of your application
• renew your registration
• pay any renewal fees
• update your contact details

To log on, click here for the login page for NMC Online.

Now that you have an account, you should enter your email and password that you created earlier.

Click “Login” and you will come to your registration dashboard:

Here you can view the steps required for registration and the progress of your own application.

D. Third-Party Access

Something useful to know is that you can share the progress of your application with a third-party who may be helping you, such as a family member, your employer or even ourselves at Fast Track IELTS.

At Fast Track, we offer support with your application and by allowing third-party access, we are allowed to see which stage you are in the registration process.

Note: Third-parties cannot upload or complete the application for you but we can:

• Contact NMC on your behalf with any queries
• Find out why there may be delays with your application

To allow third-party access, you will notice a message on your dashboard titled “Sharing your application status”:

… you can share the progress of your application with a third-party who may be helping you, such as a family member, your employer or even ourselves at Fast Track IELTS.

Select “More info” and you will be taken to the form to give permission for third-party access:

If you want a third-party to be able to contact NMC for you on your behalf, make sure to tick both options.

By ticking this, the third-party are given a telephone code which acts like a password to allow them to talk to NMC about your application.

Note: You will also have to provide your DOB and first line of your address with the third party to pass NMC’s security checks.

Remember, you can remove someone’s third-party access at any time.

Step 3: Eligibility and Qualification Verification

Now let’s get to the application!

This step aims to confirm your identity and to prove that you are qualified to be considered for registration with NMC.

To get started, select the option “Apply now”:

A. Confirming Identity

First, you will have to confirm your identity by providing details from your passport and uploading an image of your passport.

This image should be a scanned copy of the ID page of your passport which has your passport photo and passport details.

The image should be no larger than 500MB.

B. Equality and Diversity

Next, you will have to complete questions relating to your sex, gender, ethnicity and religion.

You will also be asked to declare any disabilities or medical conditions that you may have.

Note: If you do have a disability or medical condition, this does not mean you cannot register with NMC. Rather, it informs staff that you may need extra support as you carry out your job.

C. Qualifications

Now you will have to confirm the qualifications that you have which prove your eligibility for registration with NMC.

If you have more than one qualification, upload the qualification which would allow you to register as a nurse in your home country, for example a BSc in Nursing.

Never Registered

When asked “Did you use this qualification to register in the country/state you trained in?”, select “No” if you have never been registered in your home country.

You will then see the following form:

You will have to provide

• the name and address of your university
• a contact email address from the university

These details will allow NMC to contact your university to verify that what you have declared matches the university’s records.

Top Tip: It is advised that you contact your university before submitting your application to get their consent to be contacted by NMC regarding your application.

Previously Registered

If you were previously registered in your home country, then select “Yes” to this question.

You will be asked to provide:

• the name of your regulator, for example the INC (Indian Nursing Council).
• a scanned copy of your registration certificate

The NMC will then contact your regulatory body to confirm the details you have provided.

When uploading your qualification, you should scan an original copy of your qualification, making sure that the name of the qualification, date and your name are clearly visible.

D. Trouble-shooting

Your documents or qualifications are not in English

You will need to have the following:

• A full certified translation of your original document, stamped and signed by the translation service
• The original document
• A photocopy of the original document stamped and signed by the translation service
• Contact details for the translation service

Whilst we cannot suggest one particular translation service, if you type “certified translation service” into an online search engine, you will find many options to choose from with competitive prices.

Your qualification is under a different name

If you qualified with a different name, for example, prior to marriage or civil partnership, you must provide evidence to confirm your identity.

You can provide:

• a marriage/civil partnership certificate
• a divorce certificate
• a deed poll notification

A scanned copy of the original document is accepted for the online application but you will need the original copy for your face-to-face verification check.

You have lost your original qualification certificate

Things can get lost but don’t worry, if you contact your university, they should be able to provide you with a copy or a statement confirming your qualifications.

E. Pay Evaluation Fee

Now that you have completed this section, the last two things to do are:

• Check EVERYTHING! In particular, make sure that you have selected the correct profession as this cannot be changed once a payment is made.
• Pay the evaluation fee of £140
  • This fee is non-refundable even if it is decided that you are not eligible for registration.

Once you click “Make a payment”, you will be taken to a payment screen where you can complete the payment transaction.

You will receive confirmation when this payment has been successful.

Once the payment is complete, your application will be sent to NMC for evaluation.

F. Waiting for Outcome

While you wait for an outcome, NMC are contacting your regulatory body or education institute to verify the details you have provided.

If you have already contacted these parties and made them aware that NMC would be contacting them, this should minimise the risk of delays to your application.

Additional Information Required

The NMC may need additional information from you if areas of your application are unclear or incomplete.

They will contact you by email so again, make sure you save “NMC-UK.ORG” to your list of safe senders.

Once the NMC have everything they need, they will email you within 14 days to let you know their verdict on your eligibility.

Step 4: Test of Competence (ToC)

Do I need to take the Test of Competence?

Since the UK left the EU, certain nursing and midwifery qualifications will be automatically recognised until 2028 and you will not need to take the ToC.

Click here to check if your qualification is automatically recognised by NMC.

If you do not have a European qualification from this list, you will have to complete the ToC.

What is the ToC?

This is an exam with two parts:

• CBT (Computer-Based Test)
  • This has two parts:
    • Part A Numeracy: 15 questions
    • Part B Clinical Questions: 100 questions
  • Total cost £83
• OSCE
  • This is a practical exam
    • There are 10 stations testing your practical and communication skills
  • Total cost £794

A few key points to be aware of:

• You must pass both CBT and OSCE within two years of each other
• You can sit these parts in any order
• The results will be valid for five years

CBT (Computer-Based Test)

How do I book the CBT?

Once NMC have confirmed that you are eligible for registration, they will confirm by email that you need to take the ToC.

Pearson Vue, the test provider, will create an account for you automatically and email you with a temporary password to log in.

Once you are logged on:

• click ‘view exams’
• select the correct exam that matches your application type:
  • adult nurse (RNA)
  • mental health nurse (RNMH)
  • learning disabilities nurse (RNLD)
  • children’s nurse (RNC)
  • midwife (RM)
  • nursing associate (NAR)
• select both modules (Part A and Part B) for your first attempt.

Don’t worry if you only see the individual prices for each module at first, this will recalculate at check out and you will be charged the final fee of £83 for both modules.

What do I need to pass CBT?

You will receive results up to 48 hours after your exam via email. You will only see if you have passed or failed.

To pass Part A, you need to answer 13/15 questions correctly.

To pass Part B, you need to answer at least 68/100 questions correctly.

If you fail one part of CBT, you only need to re-sit that part again.

Where can I get help with CBT?

Find out more information in the CBT Candidate Information Booklet.

If you are a nurse and need help preparing for the CBT, we offer a 5-lesson course which focuses on preparing you for both the numeracy and clinical questions.

For more information, take a look at our CBT course package or leave us a comment below and we can discuss how we can help you pass first time.

OSCE

How do I book the OSCE?

There are five approved OSCE test providers in the UK where you may take the OSCE exam:

• Oxford Brookes University (Oxford, England)
• University of Northampton (Northampton, England)
• Ulster University (Londonderry, Northern Ireland)
• Northumbria University (Northumbria, England)
• Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (Leeds, England)

Similar to CBT, once NMC have confirmed that you are eligible for registration, you will be able to contact one of these test centres to book your exam.

For full information on test centre contact details and how to prepare for the OSCE exam, read the OSCE Candidate Information Booklet.

What do I need to pass the OSCE?

You will receive your results within 5 working days from the test centre.

You will be notified if you passed and what the next steps are in registration.

If you failed, you will get feedback on the areas that you failed to help you prepare for your resit.

You can take the OSCE a maximum of three times with at least 10 days between each sitting.

Step 5: Completing Registration Application

A. Health Evidence

1. Complete a self-declaration

On your NMC Online account, you will have to confirm:

• if you have any condition and/or disability that affects your ability to carry out your job safely and effectively
• if you are managing your condition and/or disability

If your condition is well managed, you don’t need to declare this. Only declare conditions or disabilities that you are struggling to manage or may need extra support in order to carry out your job.

You can upload documents to support what you have declared.

2. Nominate someone for a supporting declaration

You must provide contact details for your GP (a registered medical practitioner) to make a separate independent declaration of your health.

This medical practitioner must:

• give you a health assessment in the last six months
• confirm they are qualified to make a health declaration
• confirm that they agree/disagree with your declaration

Make sure to contact your medical practitioner before you submit your application so that they can be prepared for NMC to contact them. If not, there could be delays to your application.

B. Character Evidence

1. Complete a self-declaration

You will have to confirm:

• if you have any previous police charges or convictions
• if you have had any disciplinary action when working with another nursing regulatory body

There is no need to declare police charges where no further action was taken or motoring offences.

2. Upload evidence

You will need to provide:

• a police clearance from each overseas country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
  • these must be issued after you left each country
• a DBS check if you have lived in the UK for 3 months or more

The police clearance from the country you are living in currently should be no more than 12 months before the date you submit your application.

To find out more information on applying for overseas police clearances, see this link.

To find out more information on applying for a DBS check in the UK, see this link.

3. Nominate someone for a supporting declaration

If registered within the last 3 years

Your regulator can provide a supporting declaration for you, just provide their contact details for NMC.

If previously registered more than 3 years before submitting your application

Your regulator can provide a supporting declaration for you but you must also provide a more recent supporting declaration (see notes below).

If never registered

You need to provide a supporting character declaration from one of the following:

• most recent employer
  • if you have worked in a healthcare setting within the three years before submitting your application
• your university where you trained in nursing
  • if you have graduated but not practiced in the year before submitting your application
• an NMC registrant
  • They must have known you for at least a year and been in contact with you in the last six months before submitting your application
• another UK-regulated healthcare professional
  • same as above

If you do not meet the above criteria, you can provide details from two people on the NMC’s list of approved signatories.

As always, make sure to contact your nominees before you submit your application. Some regulators may charge a fee for making a declaration so you must contact them before submitting your application.

C. Language Evidence

1. Confirm your type of language evidence

You can prove your language ability by one of three ways:

• a pass score in OET or IELTS exams
  • OET: B (350+) in reading, listening and speaking, C+ (300+) in writing
  • IELTS Academic: 7 in reading, listening and speaking, 6.5 in writing
  • For more information, have a quick read of our article: “OET Pass Grades (2025)”
• completing a qualification in nursing/midwifery/nursing associate taught and examined in English
  • Here is a list of NMC-approved courses
• recent practice of at least 12 months in a majority English speaking country
  • Here is a list of majority English-speaking countries
  • You must have been previously registered in your home country
  • You must have completed an English language assessment as part of that registration

For full information on language requirements, see the NMC’s Guidance on registration language requirements

2. Provide your evidence

Language Evidence	Documents Needed
IELTS	IELTS certificate and TRF number (18 characters with numbers and letters on your IELTS certificate)
OET	OET certificate and candidate number. Remember to select “Manage Verifier Access” and select NMC to allow them to see your results. Here is further guidance on how to do this.
Training in English-speaking country	Qualification transcript This should have your name on it, the modules you completed and a breakdown of the clinical and theory hours of your course.
Recent Practice	A copy of your registration certificate Details of your employer

D. Professional Indemnity

You will have to declare that you have appropriate indemnity insurance organised for when you begin to practice.

• If you work for NHS, you will already have indemnity cover.
• If you work in private healthcare, your employer should have you covered but it’s best to check.
• If you are self-employed, work as a consultant or through an agency, you need to arrange your own professional indemnity insurance.

E. Pay Registration Fee

Once you have completed the above steps, you will need to pay the £153 registration fee.

This fee will be refunded if:

• you withdraw your application before completion
• NMC close your application because evidence wasn’t provided within the timescales given
• your application is unsuccessful

Step 6: Awaiting Decision

A. Verifying Information

Once NMC have received your application, they will begin to contact your referees to verify the information you have provided.

You might have to provide further information if you declared any health conditions and/or disabilities that you are not managing or police charges.

B. Awaiting Decision

NMC aim to assess an application within 30 days.

They will contact you by email with their decision and the next steps.

NMC must make a decision within 3 months of receiving your application and if they fail to do this, you can appeal.

Appeals

If your application was rejected due to good health, character or the requirement to complete an English language test, you can appeal this decision and provide further evidence to support your claims.

You must apply for an appeal within 28 days of receiving a decision.

Do You Need Help?

The NMC registration process can be quite daunting so if you need help with your application, contact us at Fast Track IELTS to find out how we can make the process easier for you.

Why not leave a comment below or contact us via email at contact@passmyielts.com so that we can help you make the next important step in your career.

Get a head start with your OET preparation and have a look at the newly released test dates available for OET on Paper in 2025.

Before we get to the test dates, here are a few pieces of expert advice from our team at Fast Track IELTS:

• Bookings for 2025 are already open, so book your OET sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment when dates become fully booked

• Check the closing dates for tests otherwise you might crucially miss the deadline for your ideal exam date

• Double-check which dates are available for your profession, especially for those outside of nursing or medicine

Now let’s have a look.

Test Dates for OET on Paper 2025

Exam Date	Booking Closing Date	Results Released	Professions Available
11 January 2025	10 December 2024 at 12pm	29 January 2025	Nursing Medicine Dentistry Pharmacy Physiotherapy Radiography
25 January 2025	01 January 2025 at 12pm	11 February 2025	Nursing Medicine
08 February 2025	15 January 2025 at 12pm	25 February 2025	Nursing Medicine Dietetics Occupational Therapy (OT) Optometry Podiatry Speech Pathology Veterinary Science
22 February 2025	29 January 2025 at 12pm	12 March 2025	Nursing Medicine
08 March 2025	12 February 2025 at 12pm	25 March 2025	Nursing Medicine Dentistry Pharmacy Physiotherapy Radiography
22 March 2025	26 February 2025 at 12pm	08 April 2025	Nursing Medicine
05 April 2025	12 March 2025 at 12pm	24 April 2025	Nursing, Medicine, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Podiatry, Speech Pathology, Veterinary Science
26 April 2025	02 April 2025 at 12pm	13 May 2025	Nursing Medicine
10 May 2025	16 April 2025 at 12pm	28 May 2025	Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography
24 May 2025	30 April at 12pm	11 June 2025	Nursing Medicine
14 June 2025	19 May 2025 at 12pm	01 July 2025	Nursing, Medicine, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Podiatry, Speech Pathology, Veterinary Science
28 June 2025	04 June 2025 at 12pm	16 July 2025	Nursing Medicine
12 July 2025	18 June 2025 at 12pm	29 July 2025	Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiography
26 July 2025	02 July 2025 at 12pm	12 August 2025	Nursing Medicine

Note: As soon as more dates are confirmed, we will update this list, so make sure to bookmark this article for future reference.

How Can I Book an Exam?

If you have chosen a test date but don’t know how to book an exam, we’re here to help.

Take a look at our recent article “How to Book the OET Exam: The Definitive Guide” for a detailed step-by-step guide.

Not Found What You’re Looking For?

Here are a few extra links to ensure you have all the information you need.

• If you want to sit the OET on Computer in 2025, click here for a list of the initial computer test dates for 2025.
  • Scroll down and select “OET Test on computer Dates 2025” to view the list

• If you want to find the full list of test dates for 2024, click here.
  • Scroll down and select “OET Test on paper Dates 2025” to view the full list

Let Us Help You

Now that you know what’s available, we can help you work towards your chosen OET test date.

Fast Track IELTS offer a variety of OET preparation courses which comprehensively cover all four OET sub-tests. We can equip you with the necessary skills and techniques to pass the OET exam.

For more information, leave a comment below or contact us via contact@passmyielts.com to discuss how we can help you prepare for your OET in 2025!

You’re ready to book the OET exam but you can’t decide on which type of test to take. Choosing between OET on Computer and OET on Paper can be confusing so at Fast Track IELTS, we have created a clear list of 7 key differences with OET on Computer that will help you make the best decision.

Let’s take a look at them now.

1. Availability for OET on Computer

First and foremost, OET on Computer is only available to certain healthcare professionals. If you are applying for medicine, nursing, pharmacy or physiotherapy, you have the option to sit OET on Computer.

If you belong to any other healthcare profession, you must sit OET on Paper (which makes your decision much easier!).

If you are applying for medicine, nursing, pharmacy or physiotherapy, you have the option to sit OET on Computer.

2. Booking the Exam

Did you know that you can now book OET on Computer just 7 days before the test date? This is a great option if you want to re-sit the exam in a short space of time.

If you choose OET on Paper, you will have to be more organised as the closing date for tests is around three weeks before the test date. To check the closing dates for OET on Paper, have a look at the Test Dates section of the OET website.

3. Receiving the Results

If you need test results quickly, OET on Computer could be a great option for you. Normally, you will receive your results just 10 days after the test date.  

OET on Paper, on the other hand, can take up to 17 days to return the results. 

Remember that if you have a deadline to meet, you can check when results will be published for each test date via the Test Dates section of the OET website.

For more detailed information on receiving OET results, have a look at our article on how long OET test results will take.

4. The Writing Exam 

If you take OET on Computer, the Writing sub-test will require you to type out a letter.

This means that if your handwriting is poor but you are quite confident using computers, this could be a great option for you. Do be careful though, it is very easy to make mistakes when trying to type quickly and there will be no auto-correct!

If computers give you nightmares and typing quickly is a challenge, it may be best to choose OET on Paper where you must handwrite a letter instead.

5. The Speaking Exam

Another important difference between the two test types is that for OET on Paper, the Speaking sub-test will be a face-to-face conversation with an examiner at a venue. 

Whereas, for OET on Computer, you must complete the Speaking sub-test via Zoom on your own computer at home.

There are specific technical requirements for the Speaking sub-test on computer so make sure to read OET’s Speaking Test Online User Guide to make sure that you have the right equipment before booking the exam.

Whereas, for OET on Computer, you must complete the Speaking sub-test via Zoom on your own computer at home.

6. The Listening Exam

The content and questions for the Listening sub-test will be exactly the same for OET on Computer and OET on Paper. 

However, the one difference is that for OET on Paper, you will hear the recordings via a speaker in the exam room whilst students who choose OET on Computer will have individual headsets.

Please note that this is based on OET venues based in the UK. There is variance in practice depending on the country where you sit the exam.

7. Different Timetables for OET on Computer

If you choose OET on Paper, you will sit all sub-tests on the same day at your chosen OET test venue. The order is usually Listening, Reading, Writing and then Speaking at the end of the day.

For OET on Computer, you will sit Reading, Listening and Writing in one day at your chosen OET test venue and then the Speaking sub-test will take place on Zoom at your home.

You will be given a choice of different dates for the Speaking sub-test during the booking process for OET on Computer. We would advise that you choose a different day to the exam day for the other sub-tests to ensure you have time to set up for your exam.

Can’t Make a Decision?

Get in touch with us at Fast Track IELTS to discuss your questions about the different test types and we’ll be happy to help you make an informed decision based on your strengths.

Why not leave a comment below or contact us on contact@passmyielts.com and one of our dedicated team will contact you to provide the support you need.

At Fast Track IELTS, we know how confusing and stressful it can be for our students to book their OET (Occupational English Test). So we want to give you this definitive guide on how to book the OET exam to ensure a smooth and hassle-free registration.

We will explain how to book an exam for both paper-based and computer-based exams, the documents you will need, the payment process and also how to avoid some common pitfalls that students face when booking their exam. 

Let’s get started!

Chapter 1: Selecting a Test Venue

The first step to booking any OET exam is to select a test venue. Go to: oet.com/test/book-a-test and type in your preferred location into the search bar.

 Select “Find a test” and you will be taken to a list of possible venues nearest to your location. 

Next, decide which type of test you want to take. Beside each venue, you will see a test type: OET on Paper or OET on Computer.

This tells you which type of test you can take at each venue. Each test type has a slightly different booking method so make sure to select the correct option.

Each test type has a slightly different booking method so make sure to select the correct option.

Chapter 2: OET on Paper – Creating an Account

Once you have chosen a venue for OET on Paper, select “Book Now” and you will be taken to the registration page.

There are 4 pages to complete in order to create an account.

Page 1

Complete the personal information and upload an image of yourself. If you are having problems uploading the image, inputting your contact number or ID information, go to Chapter 5 – Troubleshooting.

Page 2

Read and accept the conditions.

Page 3

Create a username, password and a security question. Remember to take note of your username and password before moving on to the next step.

Note: Passwords will be case sensitive so be careful as you create the login details.

Page 4

Finally, select the relevant options in the additional information section and select “Finish”.

Registration Completion

Once complete, you will receive an email from OET to confirm that you have successfully created an account. 

Click on the link provided in the email to verify your account. Remember to always check your junk/spam folders in case the confirmation email was sent there.

Logging into Candidate Portal

Now open the candidate portal and enter in the username and password that you created on Page 3 of your application. Select “Go” and you will be taken to your candidate portal:

This is where you will apply for your exam and view your OET results. Most importantly, this is where you will also allow your registering body to access your results once you have passed the OET exam.

Most importantly, this is where you will also allow your registering body to access your results once you have passed the OET exam.

Chapter 3: OET on Paper – Booking Exam

Now that you have an account, select “Apply for the Test” at the top of the screen on your candidate dashboard.

There will be 4 steps for you to complete. 

Step 1 – Profession

• Select your profession
• Select all 4 tests types (you must sit all sections of the exam each time you take the exam)
• Select the country where you will sit the exam.

Step 2 – Date

Select the date when you would like to sit the exam.

If you do not see your preferred date, this could be because this date is not available to your profession or the booking deadline has passed for that date.

Step 3 – Venue

Select the venue where you want to sit your exam.

If you cannot find your preferred venue in the list of options, it may be already fully booked for the date you selected. If so, you can go back to Step 2 and try to select a later date then check if your venue is available.

If you require special medical arrangements for the exam, you should select this option:

Step 4 – Payment

Now it’s time to pay for the exam. You will see an overview of the exam dates and start times as well as the total amount due. For a comprehensive guide on the full costs of the OET, take a look at our article on this.

Complete the payment information and if you are successful, you will receive a confirmation email.

Be careful! If you do not receive an email, this means that your OET exam booking has not been completed and the exam has not been booked. If you do not receive an email, contact OET service team for help.

Chapter 4: OET on Computer – Creating Account and Booking Exam

If you have chosen to sit OET on Computer, select “Book Now” beside the test venue. This takes you to the OET Global homepage where you will create an OET account and book an exam at the same time.

Select “Book OET Now” to begin your registration process. There are 6 steps to complete.

Step 1

Enter your email address, preferred name and the country where you will sit the exam. Accept the terms and conditions then select “Next”.

Step 2

Complete the personal information then select “Next”.

Note: You must use the exact same name as the ID which you will use on test day.

Step 3

Select your profession from the list of options. Select the option for “In person at a venue”. This is confirmation that you will attend a test venue for your computer-based exam.

Once you select your profession, you will be given search results showing available test slots which include various dates and times.

This test date will only be for the Listening, Reading and Writing sub-tests. You will sit the Speaking sub-test at home via Zoom instead of a test venue.

Next, you must select a suitable date and time for your Speaking sub-test.

Note: The Speaking exam can be booked for the same day as the other sub-tests but if you have to travel a distance to your test venue, it is recommended that you choose a different date to allow you time to set up at home for the Speaking exam.

This test date will only be for the Listening, Reading and Writing sub-tests. You will sit the Speaking sub-test at home via Zoom instead of a test venue.

Make sure to read the information regarding the Speaking sub-test and select “Confirm”. For more detailed information on this, read the User Guide on the Speaking sub-test on Zoom which explains what to expect on test day.

Step 4

Review your booking details then select “Reserve My Test Slot”.

Step 5

Provide your ID details then upload an image of your ID. For example, if using a passport, upload an image of the page which includes your photo and birth details.

Note: Make sure that it is no larger than 500KB. If you are struggling to upload the image, go to Chapter 5 – Troubleshooting.

Step 6

Now it’s time to pay. Select “Proceed to Payment” then process the payment.

Complete the payment information and if you are successful, you will receive a confirmation email.

Be careful! If you do not receive an email, this means that your OET exam booking has not been completed and the exam has not been booked. If you do not receive an email, contact OET service team for help

Chapter 5: Troubleshooting Common Problems

Problems Uploading Images

Size restrictions on images are a common reason why you are unable to upload images successfully. The restrictions are:

OET on Paper: Between 200KB and 2MB

OET on Computer: Less than 500KB

The easiest way to take an image is to use your phone. You can check the size of your image by looking at the image details on your phone. If your image is too big or too small, your may be able to resize the image on your phone.

There are also websites available which allow you to increase the size of your image for free by just uploading the photo and setting the size of the image you would like. For example, if you type “increase size of image” into an internet search engine, you will see several options of websites that offer this service.

Once you have the correct-sized image, you should be able to upload this with no issues.

Phone Number

The format of the phone number can cause confusion so we will explain exactly what you need to do.

Every country has a country code and for the UK, the country code is 0044.

The area code is the first four digits of a number after the first 0. So if the mobile number is 07890 123 456, the area code is 7890.

Finally, input the remaining numbers into the phone number section.

Do You Need Help?

We want to take the stress out of booking the OET exam so leave us a comment below and you can chat to a member of our team. If you need more assistance, consider enrolling in our OET preparation course at Fast Track IELTS where we provide guidance on how to book the OET exam and also how to register with your registration body.

You’ve done the revision and sat the exam but how long will it take to get your OET results?

One of the most common questions our candidates have at Fast Track IELTS is about the OET results time frame. Here are 5 tips to help you understand how long it takes to receive your OET results so that you can efficiently plan the next steps in your professional journey. 

Let’s get started!

1. Understanding the OET Results Time Frame

The time frame for your results depends on the type of test you took so keep this in mind when choosing which type of test you are going to sit. 

For the OET Test on Computer or OET@Home, your results will be available within 10 days from the test date.

For the OET Test on Paper, your results will be available 17 days after the test date. 

The time frame for your results depends on the type of test you took so keep this in mind when choosing which type of test you are going to sit.

2. Planning Your OET Results

At Fast Track IELTS, we understand that our students often have deadlines to meet and need to know exactly when they will receive their results. One top tip is that when you view the Test Dates section of the OET website, you can view the dates when results will be published for each test sitting.

3. Accessing Test Results

Again, to access test results, the methods are slightly different depending on the type of test you take:

OET on Paper

• Log into your myOET account.
• Go to “Test Details” and look at the “Grade” column to view your results.
• To download your results, go to the “Action” column on the left side of your dashboard and click the black triangle. 
• Select “Download” to save your results certificate to your computer. 

OET on Computer / OET@Home

• Log into your OET Global account
• To view your results, go to “My Results” on the left side of the screen
• Click “Download SOR” (Statement of Results) to save your results to your computer

4. Sharing Your Results with An Organisation

Congratulations! You have now got the grades that you need and you will be eager to share these results with the organisation you want to register with. To do this:

OET on Paper

• Log into your myOET account.
• Look at the “Action” column and find your OET Test booking 
• Click the drop-down arrow and select “Manage Verifier Access”
• In the pop-up window, search for your organisation or institution by name or country
• Select your organisation and then “Save”

OET on Computer / OET@Home

• Log into your OET Global account.
• Click the “My Results” tab then “Manage Verifier Access”.
• Search for your organisation or institute and select “Start Sharing With This Organisation”.

Remember that you will have to repeat these steps again if you have to re-sit the exam.

5. Avoiding Delays

It can be extremely frustrating when results are delayed so make sure to follow these tips:

• Public Holidays: Check that your results won’t be delayed by public holidays such as Christmas and New Year. You can check this by viewing the Test Dates section on the OET website and view the date given under “Results Published”.
• Technical Issues: Make sure to use a laptop or desktop computer to access your account instead of a mobile device. Also enable all pop-ups in your web browser.

Need More Help?

At Fast Track IELTS, we have over a decade of experience supporting students with both their studies and registration. If you want further help with the registration process for your organisation, comment below or find out more info by contacting us at contact@passmyielts.com.

Have a question about how long your results will take? Leave a comment below and our teachers will get back to you.