OET vs PTE for Nursing (2026): Which Should You Take?

Both OET and PTE Academic are accepted by the NMC (UK) and AHPRA (Australia) as evidence of English for nurse registration. They are very different tests, so the right choice depends on how you learn and test best.

The key differences

	OET	PTE Academic
Context	Healthcare — patient dialogues, referral letters	General academic
Delivery	Computer or paper	Computer-based, AI-scored
Results	A few days	Often very fast (typically within days)
Feel	Familiar to clinicians	Fast-paced, tech-heavy tasks

Scoring you need (confirm with your regulator)

• OET: grade B in listening, reading and speaking; the NMC accepts C+ in writing, while AHPRA requires B across all four.
• PTE Academic: commonly 65 overall with 65 in listening, reading and speaking and 59 in writing for the NMC; AHPRA also accepts PTE Academic at its required level. Always confirm the current numbers with the regulator.

How to choose

Choose OET if you think in clinical scenarios — reading a patient's notes and writing a referral letter feels natural, and the healthcare vocabulary is an advantage rather than an obstacle.

Choose PTE if you are comfortable with computer-based, timed tasks, want fast results, and prefer general-English material. Some candidates also find the AI-scored speaking section less stressful than a live interlocutor.

There is no universally "easier" test — the best choice is the one that matches your strengths. If you work clinically every day, OET's healthcare context is often the more natural fit.

Verify before you book

Accepted tests and scores change periodically. Always confirm the current requirements on the official NMC or AHPRA website before booking.