Before the test
Before the test
Everything you need to know before taking OET and what to do on test day
Test day information
- You will receive your OET timetable no later than 72 hours before your test day.
- You must arrive at the venue in accordance with the timetable specified by your test venue. The venue will inform you of test times via a timetable that will be emailed to you.
- It is important that you take note of the date, time, and place of your test. If you are not in the test room prior to the start of the test you will not be allowed to take the test.
To learn more about what to expect before the test, read our test regulations.
- You are responsible for knowing the date, time and place of your test which will be communicated to you after your booking is finalised.
- You are required to arrive at least 30 minutes before your Listening, Reading and Writing scheduled sub-test start time.
- You are required to download Zoom and log on to the Zoom link for your Speaking Sub-test at least 10 minutes before the start of your test and wait for the Speaking Sub-test to start. Note: The speaking subtest is completed at your home in a private designated area. Please refer to the Speaking User guide for more information
You are responsible for bringing the ID documentation (which you used to book the OET) to the test venue on test day. Incorrect or alternative ID documentation will not be accepted, you will not be able to take the test and you may not be entitled to a transfer or refund.
The Test Day check-in process involves:
Presenting the original copy of the ID document/s you used when you booked the OET for verification against the details provided during the booking process.
- Having your photo taken.
- Placing personal and unauthorised items in the cloakroom.
- For the purpose of photo verification, you will not be asked to remove any religious headwear. Head coverings should be plain coloured and must be worn in such a way as to show the face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, and with the edges of the face visible.
- ID Checks before and during sub-tests:
You must make sure that the photograph, name and candidate number printed on your test paper are accurate. - Invigilators or Proctors will check that your details in myOET or, that the OET Account matches your ID document when you arrive at the Venue. Invigilators or Proctors will check your ID documentation throughout the test day.
- Always ensure you have your original ID with you, and you don’t leave it anywhere in the Venue.
- Identification document discrepancy
Invigilators and Proctors have the discretion to decide what will happen in the case of ID discrepancies.
If there are discrepancies you may be allowed into the test venue but, you will need to provide supplemental ID documentation that has your full name, photo and date of birth. Acceptable Candidate Identification for information on what is accepted as supplemental ID documentation. - You may not be entitled to a transfer or refund if there is a discrepancy in your ID documentation. Rescheduling and Cancellation.
- You may be asked to show your ID documentation throughout the test day and sign one or more identity declarations.
Note:
- OET reserves the right to withhold and/or cancel test results in the event that ID documentation requirements are not met.
- OET will withhold results until the ID used on the test day is verified.
- If you fail to provide OET with the identification document used on the test day, OET reserves the right to cancel/or not release your test results.
You have 30 calendar days from your test day to provide these documents to OET for the release of your OET results. Due to the current pandemic, you must ensure that you follow the COVID health regulations within your state and country and any specific requirements of your selected test venue. Failing to do so may result in you not being able to sit for your test.
- Bring an original copy of the approved ID document (passport, national ID card or Authorisation Letter).
- Switch off your mobile phone or other electronic items and store them in the cloakroom.
- Headphones cannot be worn during the Online Speaking test.
- You may only bring the following items into a test room:
- Non-mechanical pens, pencils, erasers, a pencil sharpener, a small bottle of water in a clear plastic bottle (Paper Based Test only), and your identification document; and
- Medication and snacks if approved prior to test day.
- You must not bring into the test room any bags, notes, study materials, dictionary, electronic items such as mobile phones, digital sound recorders, MP3 players, cameras, smartwatches, highlighters, mechanical pens, mechanical pencils, scrap paper, correction fluid or tape.
- Make sure your name and candidate number are correct. Invigilators/Proctors will check that the name on your answer sheet/screen matches your ID either before or within the first 15 minutes of each sub-test.
- Make sure your name and candidate number are on each book/sheet you have used.
- Tell the invigilator/Proctor at once if:
- your personal details are wrong;
- you have been given the wrong question paper (this applies to OET on Paper only); or
- the question paper is incomplete or badly printed.
What else do I need to know before the test?
As an OET candidate you will need do the following:
- Confirm, as part of the Booking process, that you have read, understood and accept the OET Terms and Conditions, which incorporate these Test Regulations and the OET Privacy Policy.
- Comply with the OET USA Terms and Conditions and OET Test Regulations. If you do not comply with the OET USA Terms and Conditions and the OET Test Regulations you may not be eligible to complete the test and/or receive a statement of results.
- Check for the minimum OET score (results) accepted by your Recognising Organisation to which you are applying.
- Check with your Recognising Organisation if your OET results are required to be held in one sitting.
- Check with your Recognising Organisation if the OET delivery test mode you have selected is accepted by your Recognising Organisation.
All OET testing dates, booking schedules, booking closing dates and fees are predetermined by OET. You will be required to select your preferred OET testing date and mode of delivery when booking the OET.
Please note that not all OET delivery dates and testing modes are available in all countries. Ensure that you check the test mode, profession, country, and venue availability on the OET Website prior to booking OET.
You must use a current personal email to register for OET (this should not be an educational or workplace email address). Note: If you are applying for ECFMG certification, you must use the same email address for OET as you use for ECFMG, be it a personal or other email address.
- You must read and accept the OET Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy and OET Collection Notice. You must click ‘I Agree’ in order for your OET registration to be complete. These Test Regulations are accessible via the Terms and Conditions.
- You must provide details of a valid identification (ID) for your booking. The same ID must be presented on the test-day and must pass the identity verification process for you to be permitted to sit for OET:
- OET on Paper at a test venue: you need to upload a current photo that meets the OET requirements (further instructions for acceptable photos are available here).
- OET on Computer at a test venue and, OET@Home: you need to upload an image of your identification.
- Booking fees for OET are paid at the time of booking.
- Bookings are subject to availability.
- OET Test Regulations prohibits you from having more than one booking per test administration.
- You cannot have multiple bookings across delivery modes within the same test administration.
- You may not be eligible for a full refund if you hold multiple bookings within the same test administration across different delivery modes.
Choosing your test
OET is available in three delivery modes to give you choice, convenience and confidence.

OET on Paper at a Test Venue

OET on Computer at a Test Venue

OET@Home
