Eligibility for OET Exam: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re a doctor in India aiming to work, train, or specialise abroad, the OET (Occupational English Test) is one of the most important steps in your journey. Unlike general English exams such as IELTS or TOEFL, OET is tailored specifically for healthcare professionals. Every question, scenario, and task is built around real medical situations, which is exactly why doctors find it more relevant, practical, and easier to relate to.

But before you begin preparing, you need absolute clarity on one thing: Are you eligible to take the OET Exam as an Indian doctor?

Let’s break it down in a crisp, straightforward, and doctor-friendly way.

Who Can Take the OET Exam in India? (Core Eligibility)

The OET exam has one of the simplest eligibility criteria among international English tests. For Indian doctors, the requirements are:

1. You must belong to a recognised healthcare profession

Doctors are one of the primary healthcare categories accepted for OET.
If you are an:

• MBBS graduate
• Medical intern
• Practising doctor
• Specialist doctor

…you are fully eligible to take the OET exam.

2. No minimum marks or grades required

OET does not require minimum NEET score, 12th board marks, MBBS percentage or any kind of entrance examination. Basically, any Indian doctor or medical student in their internship year can register.

3. You must have valid identification

To sit for the exam, you need:

• A valid passport or
• Accepted national government ID

This must match the details used during registration.

4. You should be preparing for a licensing, training, or work requirement abroad

Most doctors attempt OET for:

• GMC registration (UK)
• NMC registration (UK)
• NHS employment
• Australian or Irish medical councils
• Healthcare job opportunities abroad
• Residency/PG pathways

If your destination accepts OET, you are eligible to apply.

OET Exam Structure for Indian Doctors (Detailed Breakdown)

The OET is designed around real-life clinical communication. Every module tests how effectively you can communicate in a medical setting, not just how fluent your English is.

1. Listening (45 minutes)

You will listen to:

• Patient consultations
• Clinical handovers
• Health professional discussions
• Case presentations

The focus is on understanding medical conversations in English-speaking environments.

2. Reading (60 minutes)

You will deal with:

• Medical journals
• Case notes
• Workplace documents
• Clinical guidelines

Part A tests scanning skills while Part B and C assess detailed comprehension.

3. Writing (45 minutes)

This is the most profession-specific part.
For doctors, the writing task is usually about drafting a referral letter, discharge summary, or transfer letter based on given case notes.

4. Speaking (20 minutes)

You will participate in two role-play conversations, one with a “patient” and another with a “carer”.
These simulate everyday doctor–patient interactions such as:

• Explaining diagnoses
• Discussing treatment plans
• Obtaining informed consent
• Educating patients on lifestyle or medication

This is extremely useful for doctors heading to English-speaking healthcare systems.

Age Limit, Attempts & Educational Qualifications

Here’s what Indian doctors must know:

1. Minimum age

There is no official age limit.
However, you must be old enough to have completed medical schooling or be in your clinical internship.

2. Number of attempts

You can take the OET exam as many times as you need.
There is no restriction from OET or from Indian regulators.

3. Educational qualification

Minimum requirement:

• Final-year MBBS student or
• Completed MBBS degree

No postgraduate qualification is required.

Is OET Mandatory for Indian Doctors Going Abroad?

This depends on your destination.
Many medical councils and employers in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and several Gulf countries accept OET as proof of English proficiency. For Indian doctors targeting the GMC or NMC, OET is often preferred over IELTS because it uses medical terminology doctors already understand.

Why OET Is a Better Fit for Indian Doctors

Doctors choose OET because:

• The vocabulary is medical
• Tasks mirror real clinical situations
• Communication style is doctor-patient centric
• It evaluates professional English, not general English
• It builds confidence for practising abroad

In short, the exam feels natural to doctors.

Your OET Journey Starts with the Right Support

If you’re an Indian doctor preparing to work or study abroad, qualifying OET is one of the most important milestones in your pathway. Understanding the eligibility and exam structure is the first step, preparing strategically is the next.

At MetaApply IE, our TestPrep division offers:

• OET coaching tailored for doctors
• Live instructor-led classes
• Practice with real-case scenarios
• Writing corrections
• One-on-one speaking role plays
• Mock tests and exam evaluation
• Counselling for medical licensing pathways

Our expert trainers and counsellors support you at every stage from preparation to admissions and visa guidance for your Medical Journey Abroad.

If you’re ready to accelerate your overseas medical career, taking the OET is the right place to start. Let us help you prepare smarter and score higher.