ExamsOET NursingScores and results

OET · Nursing

Scores and results

Each subtest gets a score from 0 to 500 and a grade from A to E. Each organisation checks your scores subtest by subtest, and some also use an overall score, which is the sum of the four.

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How scoring works

Each subtest gets a score from 0 to 500, in steps of 10, which maps to a letter grade.

0 to 500

Score for each subtest, reported separately.

A to E

Letter grade that matches the score range.

Overall score

When an organisation asks for one, it is the sum of the scores on the four subtests.

By criterion

Writing and Speaking are scored against criteria by trained assessors.

Many nursing regulators ask for a B, which starts at 350, but each organisation sets its own requirement and some accept a C+ in Writing.

The score ranges

Each letter covers a range on the 0 to 500 scale.

E

D

C

C+

B

A

0100200300350450500

Grade	Score
A	450 to 500
B	350 to 440
C+	300 to 340
C	200 to 290
D	100 to 190
E	0 to 90

How Writing and Speaking are scored

The criteria are the same in every nursing test, and each one gets its own score from the assessors.

Writing

Criterion	What is assessed
Purpose	Whether the reason for the letter is clear right from the start.
Content	Whether all the case information the reader needs is there and correct.
Conciseness and Clarity	Whether the letter leaves out what the reader does not need.
Genre and Style	Whether the tone and register suit the reader.
Organisation and Layout	Whether the information follows a logical order and a letter format.
Language	Grammar, vocabulary, punctuation and spelling.

Speaking: language

Criterion	What is assessed
Intelligibility	Being easy to understand: pronunciation, rhythm and intonation.
Fluency	Speaking at a natural pace, without hesitation that gets in the way.
Appropriateness of Language	Vocabulary and register suited to talking with a patient.
Resources of Grammar and Expression	Range and accuracy of structures.

Speaking: clinical communication

Criterion	What is assessed
Relationship building	Building trust and showing empathy.
Understanding and incorporating the patient's perspective	Understanding the patient's concerns and taking them into account.
Providing structure	Guiding the conversation with a clear beginning, middle and end.
Information gathering	Asking the right questions and listening to the answers.
Information giving	Explaining clearly and checking that the patient has understood.

Prepare for OET Nursing in the real format.

Consultation notes, clinical texts, a letter from case notes and a role-play with a virtual patient, each part with its own time limit.

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