NMC Reduces OET Writing Score for Nurses
As per the latest update on NMC website, from 28 January 2020 onward NMC will accept and OET certificate that specifies that a candidate (nurses and other health professionals) has scored a minimum of C+ in writing and minimum of B in reading, listening and speaking.
This decision was made on NMC meeting held on 27th November 2019. Ealoor welcomes this news as it is a great opportunity for Kerala nurses who wish to work in UK. In case nurses have any inquiries, we welcome them to contact us or visit our office directly.
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Currently, NMC accepts two tests as proof of English language proficiency: – the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Occupational English Test (OET).
As a nurse, you need to secure the score specified by NMC in each of the four subsections of these exams – which are reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Test scores are valid for two years.
Occupational English Test
Currently, NMC accepts OET examination certificate with at least B grade in writing, reading, listening and speaking sections. As per the latest update from NMC, C+ for writing is acceptable.
Combining OET Test Scores
The candidate can achieve the required marks across two separate examinations subject to the following conditions:-
- The candidate appears for the test within 6 months.
- The candidate is tested in all four sections at the same time.
- All grades in both exams are above C+.
- The candidate achieves B grade or higher in all 4 sub-sections when the results are considered together.
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International English Language Test System(IELTS)
Currently, NMC will accept IELTS academic examination certificate that confirms that the candidate has achieved
an overall IELTS score of at least 7, with at least 6.5 in writing section and at least 7 in reading, listening and speaking.
Combining IELTS Test Scores
You can achieve the required score across two exams subject to the following conditions:-
- You sit for the two exams within 6 months.
- You appear for 4 sub-sections at the same time.
- All scores in both exams are above 6.5.
- You achieve at least 6.5 in the writing section and at least 7 in the reading, listening and speaking sections in either of the two exams.
Decision to lower the IELTS writing score requirement for nurses was made by NMC on December 2018. Since then, there has been a considerable support for this decision.
Relaxation in OET writing score requirement is a great news for nurses that wishes to work in countries like in UK. This decision will result in many nurses being eligible to register for NMC and subsequently apply for a work visa as nurse in UK.
The demand to decrease the OET writing score requirement got popular considering the fact that a 6.5 score in IELTS for writing is equivalent to a C+ grade in writing for OET. This has to be a read along with the current staff shortages in major NHS hospitals.
There is a considerable amount of nurses who have been unable to proceed with NMC registration because they do not satisfy the current OET requirement of B grade. This is due to the considerable finances that the candidate has to incur in order to apply for a work visa in UK. Nurses from countries like India can’t always afford the best quality OET training. Ealoor provides free recruitment of nurses to UK, at zero service charge.
At the end of the day, the UK healthcare system has been missing out on good quality nursing practitioner because of this requirement.
