The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) accepts two language tests as evidence of your ability to communicate effectively in English:

• International English Language Test System (IELTS)
• Occupational English Test (OET).

International English Language Test System (IELTS)

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) accepts an IELTS Academic examination certificate that confirms you achieved:

• an overall score of at least 7
• at least 6.5 in the writing section and at least 7 in the reading, listening and speaking sections.

Combining IELTS test scores

You can achieve the required mark across two test sittings if:

• you sit the tests within six months of each other
• you are tested in all four sections at the same time
• all scores in both sittings are above 6.5, and
• 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 test sittings.

Example of combining IELTS scores: Accepted

	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
Test 1	7	6.5	6.5	7
Test 2	6.5	7	7.5	8

The NMC will accept this combination as you have scored at least 7 in the listening, speaking and reading sections and at least 6.5 in the writing section in either of the two test sittings, and no score is lower than 6.5.

Example of combining IELTS scores: Not Accepted

	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
Test 1	6	7.5	6.5	7
Test 2	6.5	7	7.5	7.5

The NMC will not accept this combination as you have a score lower than 6.5.

Occupational English Test (OET)

The NMC will accept an OET examination certificate that confirms you achieved:

·       at least a grade C+ in the writing section 

·       at least a grade B in the reading, listening and speaking sections.

Combining OET test scores

You can achieve the required mark across two test sittings if:

·       You sit the tests within six months of each other

·       You are tested in all four sections at the same time

·       All grades in both sittings are above grade C+, and

·       You achieve at least a grade C+ in the writing section and at least a grade B in the reading, listening and speaking sections in either of the two test sittings.

Example of combining OET scores: Accepted

	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
Test 1	B	B	C+	B
Test 2	B	C+	B	B

This will be accepted by the NMC as you have scored at least grade B in the listening, speaking and reading sections and at least grade C+ in the writing section in either of the two test sittings, and no score is lower than grade C+.

Example of combining OET scores: Not Accepted

	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
Test 1	B	B	C+	B
Test 2	C	C+	B	B

The NMC will not accept this combination as you have a score lower than C+. 

We have qualified and experienced native speaker of English who deliver IELTS and OET preparation courses.