Great news for those looking to come and work in the United Kingdom: the UK’s Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) are lowering the Occupational English Test (OET) Writing requirement for nurses and midwives.
From January 2020, the NMC will accept a C+ grade in Writing – together with a minimum grade requirement of B for OET Listening, Reading and Speaking.
(If you are eager to get your OET exam preparation started, click here!)
This decision has been long-awaited ever since the NMC announced last year that they would be accepting an IELTS Writing band score of 6.5 (from 7). The NMC has taken the necessary steps to ensure that an OET Writing grade of C+ is equivalent to an IELTS Writing score of 6.5.
OET showed empirical evidence through a standard-setting workshop with NHS trusts saying that a C+ grade is sufficient for nurses in the workplace, the official OET site announced.
Swoosh English founder, Alex Melia, was in a celebratory mood as he had been campaigning to get the scores lowered. “The NMC has finally made the decision to lower the writing score to a suitable level for nurses to work safely in UK hospitals and nursing homes. I’m very pleased with this decision,” he said.
OET Grade Changes Make the UK More Attractive to Professionals
The NMC’s decision was followed shortly afterwards by the announcement that the PTE Academic qualification is now accepted for work and study visas to the UK. Together, these changes are expected to make working in the UK even more attractive to the world’s medical professionals and help ease the crippling staff shortages in the country.
So if you are a nurse that wants to start a career in the UK or would like to retake the OET test, then Swoosh English is here to help you.
Swoosh English has a wealth of preparation material to help you get an OET C+ grade in Writing. Check out our blog for practice mock exams and detailed guides for the Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing assessments.
In addition, the Swoosh English YouTube channel is regularly updated with videos that have helped thousands of students pass their OET exam – and start living the life they desire.
Let’s make sure you are next!
