OET Passing Score 2026: The Grades You Need for Australia, the UK and the US
There’s no single OET “passing score.” OET reports a score from 0 to 500 for each of the four sub-tests. Your regulator then sets its own minimum for each one. A score that gets you registered in the UK can fall short in Australia. Here’s what each destination asks for in 2026.
How OET is scored
Each sub-test (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) gets a number score and a letter grade:
| Grade | Score range |
|---|---|
| A | 450–500 |
| B | 350–440 |
| C+ | 300–340 |
| C | 200–290 |
| D | 100–190 |
| E | 0–90 |
Many people still call grade B “the passing score.” In 2026 that’s no longer safe: some regulators now ask for scores inside grade B, such as 360.
OET score requirements by destination (2026)
| Destination | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (Ahpra, tests from 23 April 2026) | 350 | 360 | 350 | 360 |
| United Kingdom (NMC, nurses and midwives) | 350 | 350 | 300 | 350 |
| United States (VisaScreen, from 12 May 2026) | 320 | 340 | 350 | 360 |
The US scores apply to registered nurses, physical therapists and occupational therapists applying for a VisaScreen certificate. VisaScreen doesn’t accept at-home versions of English tests, so take OET at a test venue.
Sources: Ahpra, NMC, TruMerit VisaScreen.
What these numbers tell you
- Speaking has the highest bar. It’s 360 for both Australia and the US. Fluent conversation with patients isn’t enough. You need clear structure, empathy language and good use of the role-play card.
- Writing matters as much as Speaking. Australia and the US both want 350 in Writing. That’s grade B, not the C+ the UK accepts.
- “Just B” can miss Australia. A 350 in Reading or Speaking is a B, but Ahpra now needs 360.
One practical rule: aim about 20 points above each minimum in your mock tests. Real test-day scores often dip a little below practice scores.
Can you combine two OET results?
Sometimes, yes:
- Ahpra accepts results from one sitting, or at most two sittings within 12 months.
- The NMC lets you combine two sittings of the same test taken within 12 months, with all four sub-tests in each sitting. There are minimum scores for the weaker sitting. Check the NMC’s accepted tests page before you rely on this.
For both, results must be less than two years old when you apply.
How to plan your OET target
- Write down your destination’s four minimums. Use the table above, then confirm on your regulator’s site before booking.
- Take a full mock test under timed conditions to find your gap in each sub-test.
- Work on your weakest sub-test first. For most Filipino nurses that’s Writing or Speaking, the two with the highest bars.
- Book your test once your mock scores clear every minimum by about 20 points.
Working in a specific profession? See our guides for physical therapists and pharmacists, and our breakdown of Ahpra’s 2026 changes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the passing score for OET?
There isn’t one universal pass mark. Each regulator sets its own minimum per sub-test. For example, Ahpra needs 350 in Listening and Writing and 360 in Reading and Speaking for tests from 23 April 2026.
Is grade B enough for the UK?
For the NMC you need B (350) in Listening, Reading and Speaking, and C+ (300) in Writing.
How long are OET results valid?
Ahpra and the NMC both accept results less than two years old when you apply.
Can I take OET at home for VisaScreen?
No. VisaScreen doesn’t accept at-home English tests.
Close the gap before you pay AUD 587
OET costs AUD 587 (about PHP 21,800), so it pays to sit it when you’re ready. At IRIS, healthcare mentors review your Writing letters and run Speaking role-plays until you clear your destination’s minimums. Talk to us or see our OET review.