OET Nursing exam-day guide
OET Nursing · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Bring the same photo ID you used for registration
Your name and photo must match your booking. Accepted ID types and any signature requirements vary by venue, so confirm the exact list with your test provider and the venue before the day. If your ID has expired or your name has changed, contact the provider well ahead rather than on test day.
Carry your booking confirmation (printed or on your phone)
You will need the test date, session time, venue address and your candidate number. Save a screenshot in case mobile signal is poor at the venue. Whether printed copies are mandatory is set by the venue, so confirm with the provider.
Check your venue, arrival time and reporting deadline in advance
OET Nursing is delivered at secure test centres, and arrival and registration cut-off times are set by the provider. Plan to arrive with buffer for transport delays. Candidates who arrive after the cut-off may be refused entry, so confirm the exact rule with your provider.
Plan your journey and a backup route
Do a dry run or check live transport the day before. Identify a nearby place to wait and a fallback route. Allow extra time for security screening and registration queues at larger centres.
Confirm what you may bring into the test room
Personal items such as bags, phones and notes are normally stored outside the test room, and phones must be switched off. Rules on water bottles, tissues, watches and jewellery differ between venues, so confirm the permitted-items list with your provider.
Prepare for the Listening sub-test
Listening is played once, with a short pause before each part. Practise reading the questions ahead of the audio and writing answers as you listen. Check with your provider whether you may adjust volume or request any approved access arrangement, and apply for it well before test day if needed.
Prepare for the Reading sub-test
Reading is timed and split into parts, with Part A requiring short answers under tight time pressure. Practise skimming for specific details and managing the clock without relying on any extra materials in the room.
Prepare for the Writing sub-test
You will write one referral or transfer letter based on case notes within a set time. Practise the standard letter structure, selecting relevant information and using a professional register. Confirm the current timing and task format with your provider, as these can change.
Prepare for the Speaking sub-test
Speaking involves two role-plays with a trained interlocutor playing a patient or carer. Rehearse opening a consultation, gathering information, explaining and closing. Bring nothing into the role-play; the prompt cards are provided.
Plan food, water and medication sensibly
Eat a normal meal beforehand and stay hydrated. If you take regular medication, confirm with the provider what you may bring into the room and how to declare it. Avoid relying on caffeine or new routines on the day.
Get ID photos or documents ready only if your provider requires them
Some venues ask for additional documentation or a recent photograph at registration. This varies, so check your booking instructions and confirm with the provider. Do not assume a passport photo is needed unless told.
Review your access arrangements if you have any
If you have approved adjustments, such as extra time or a separate room, confirm them in writing before the test and arrive early to set them up. Requests made on the day may not be granted. Confirm the process and deadlines with your provider.
Plan the day
Confirm your booking details, venue address, reporting time and ID requirements in writing. Re-read the provider's test-day instructions and permitted-items list so nothing surprises you at registration.
Do timed practice under exam conditions for each sub-test: one full Listening set with audio played once, one Reading set with a strict clock, one Writing letter within the time limit, and two Speaking role-plays aloud, ideally recorded and reviewed.
Review your weakest area rather than starting new material. For Writing, rehearse a reliable letter structure and a bank of professional phrases. For Speaking, practise signposting, checking understanding and closing a consultation politely.
Protect sleep. Shift bedtime earlier gradually, avoid late-night cramming, and keep the two nights before the test calm. Fatigue affects Listening concentration more than almost anything else.
Pack your ID, booking confirmation and any permitted items in one bag. Charge your phone and save offline copies of venue details and emergency contacts.
Check transport timetables, weather and any planned disruptions. Confirm your alarm and a backup wake-up. Decide what you will eat before the test.
Do light revision only: skim your Writing structure and Speaking phrases, review common spelling of medical terms, then stop. Avoid full mock tests the day before, as they can drain confidence.
Eat a proper breakfast, dress comfortably in layers, and leave earlier than you think necessary. Arrive within the reporting window and go straight to registration.
Switch your phone off and store bags and notes as instructed. Use the toilet before you are seated, since break rules are strict and may be limited between sub-tests.
Follow instructions exactly, read each question before the audio or text, and manage the clock. If you miss an answer, move on rather than dwelling; marks are lost by running out of time, not by one uncertain item.
For Writing, plan briefly, write the letter, then check structure, tone, accuracy and that you have covered the key case-note points. For Speaking, treat the role-play as a real consultation and engage with the interlocutor.
If something goes wrong, such as equipment failure or feeling unwell, raise it with the invigilator immediately rather than after the session. Ask what the provider's procedure is for reporting issues.
Rules to check
Bring valid photo ID that matches your registration exactly. If you cannot produce acceptable ID, you may be refused entry or your result may be withheld; confirm the accepted ID list with your provider before test day.
Arrive by the reporting time set by the venue. Late arrivals may not be admitted and may lose their fee, so confirm the cut-off with your provider and plan to arrive early.
Keep phones, smart watches and notes out of the test room. Devices must be switched off and stored as instructed; unauthorised items can lead to invalidation of your result.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test and do not share or copy answers. Any suspected malpractice is handled under the provider's rules and can result in cancellation of results.
Break and movement rules are strict and vary by venue. Ask the invigilator before the test starts what the procedure is if you need to leave the room, and use facilities beforehand.
Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times, including during the Listening audio and any scheduled pauses. Speaking sub-tests are conducted with a trained interlocutor and follow a fixed role-play format.
Results and scoring are determined solely by the provider against its published criteria. Do not rely on unofficial score calculators; check the official results timeline and any review or appeal process with the provider.
If you have approved access arrangements, confirm them in writing before the test and follow the venue's process on the day. Adjustments cannot usually be arranged at short notice, so confirm deadlines with your provider.