A vital question that every student wants to know: what grades do I need to pass OET?
The answer is not always simple so we have compiled the key information together for you to find the answer you want quickly.
As Fast Track IELTS are based in the UK, our expertise is focused on British healthcare regulatory bodies.
Let’s take a look!
GMC
If you are either applying to register as a doctor with the GMC (General Medical Council) OR applying for the PLAB test, you will require:
| Sub-test | Pass Grade |
|---|---|
| Reading | B (350+) |
| Listening | B (350+) |
| Writing | B (350+) |
| Speaking | B (350+) |
Here are a few key points to remember with your results:
- You must pass all four sub-tests in one sitting
- If you fail one sub-test, you have to resit all four sub-tests again
- Once you have received your results, they are valid for two years
For full details, see the GMC guidance.
If you are applying for a foundation programme with the UK Foundation Programme (UKFPO), the pass grades are higher:
| Sub-test | Pass Grade |
|---|---|
| Reading | B+ (400+) |
| Listening | B+ (400+) |
| Writing | B+ (400+) |
| Speaking | B+ (400+) |
Here are a few key points about OET pass grades for UKFPO:
- Similar to GMC, UKFPO only accept your grades if they were achieved in one sitting.
- The date of your examination must be two years or less before the start date of the training programme.
- If your foundation programme starts on 06 August 2025, your exam date must be no earlier than 06 August 2023.
For full details, see the UKFPO guidance.
NMC
If you are applying to register as a nurse or midwife with the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council), you will need the following:
| Sub-test | Pass Grade |
|---|---|
| Reading | B (350+) |
| Listening | B (350+) |
| Writing | C+ (300+) |
| Speaking | B (350+) |
Here are a few things to remember about OET pass grades for NMC:
- If you fail one sub-test, you must resit all four sub-tests again
- If you have sat the exam more than twice within 12 months, you may be able to combine your scores. Check if you are eligible to do this with NMC’s Combination Calculator.
- Once you have received your results, they are valid for two years
For full details, see the NMC guidance.
GPhC
If you are applying to register as a pharmacist with the GPhC (General Pharmaceutical Council), you will need the following grades:
| Sub-test | Pass Grades |
|---|---|
| Reading | B (350+) |
| Listening | B (350+) |
| Writing | B (350+) |
| Speaking | B (350+) |
Here are a few things to remember about OET pass grades for GPhC:
- You must pass all four sub-tests in one sitting
- If you fail one sub-test, you must resit all four sub-tests again
- Once you have received your results, they are valid for two years*
* If your test results were received more than two years ago, the GPhC may still accept them if you can prove that you have maintained your English by:
- working as a pharmacy professional in an English-speaking country or
- 75% of your working day is spent communicating with patients and clients in English.
For full details, see the GPhC guidance.
HCPC
If you are applying to register as a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, paramedic, dietitian, psychologist or chiropodist with HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council), you will need the following grades:
| Sub-test | Pass Grades |
|---|---|
| Reading | B (350+) |
| Listening | B (350+) |
| Writing | B (350+) |
| Speaking | B (350+) |
If you are applying to register as a speech and language therapist with HCPC, you will need higher grades:
| Sub-test | Pass Grades |
|---|---|
| Reading | A (450+) |
| Listening | A (450+) |
| Writing | A (450+) |
| Speaking | A (450+) |
Here are a few key things to know about OET pass grades with HCPC:
- If you fail one of the sub-tests by half a grade, you can still pass the OET exam overall.
- For example: For physiotherapists, if you only received C+ (300+) in Reading but still achieved a B (350+) in Listening, Writing and Speaking, your results may still be accepted.
- The HCPC do not formally recognise the OET as proof of your English language proficiency; however, you can still use it as proof if you provide a certified statement of comparability from OET.
- This is a simple process, click here to find out more about receiving a statement of comparability.
- Once you have received your results, they are valid for two years
For full details, see the HCPC guidance.
RCVS
If you are applying to register with the RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons), you will need the following grades:
| Sub-test | Pass Grades |
|---|---|
| Reading | B (350+) |
| Listening | B (350+) |
| Writing | B (350+) |
| Speaking | B (350+) |
Here are a few key things to know about OET pass grades with RCVS:
- If you fail one of the sub-tests by half a grade, you can still pass the OET exam overall.
- For example: If you received C+ (300+) in Reading but still achieved a B (350+) in Listening, Writing and Speaking, your results will be accepted by RCVS.
- If you fail one of the sub-tests, you do not have to resit all four sub-tests. Only re-sit the sub-tests that you have failed.
For full details, see the RCVS guidance.
Your Next Steps
Now that you know the OET pass grades that you need, let Fast Track IELTS help you achieve these results.
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