NMC upgrades OET writing requirement to C+

The UK’s Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) announced that it would amend the OET Writing requirement for overseas nurses and midwives taking the Occupational English Test (OET). From late January next year, the Council will accept a grade C+ in Writing alongside a minimum B grade in the OET Listening, Reading and Speaking sub-tests. The decision is in line with an NMC announcement late last year that they would begin to accept an IELTS Writing 6.5 (changed from 7). Since then the Council has undertaken significant engagement with OET to ascertain that an OET C+ in Writing is equivalent to an IELTS Writing score of 6.5. In addition, OET provided empirical evidence via a standard-setting workshop with NHS trusts that a C+ grade would meet the writing standard required by nurses in the workplace.