Grades and what regulators ask for
The 0–500 scale and the grades A to E.
8 minutes · A free lesson from Start here
Each sub-test is scored from 0 to 500 and given a grade: A (450–500), B (350–440), C+ (300–340), C (200–290), D (100–190), E (0–90).
Listening and Reading each have 42 questions. OET does not publish a fixed conversion, because it adjusts the grade boundaries slightly for each test, but a B in Listening has typically needed about 30 marks out of 42.
Many healthcare regulators ask for grade B in each sub-test; some accept C+ in one or more. Requirements differ between countries, professions and years — check your regulator's current rules before booking.
Lesson quiz
Check what you have learned. Choose an answer to see whether it is right, and why.
Quick check: What score range does each sub-test use?
- 0 to 500
- 0 to 9
- 10 to 90
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A: 0 to 500 — Each score is also given a grade from A to E.
Quick check: Which grade is a score of 360?
- C+
- A
- B
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C: B — B is 350–440. C+ is 300–340, and A is 450–500.
Quick check: Which grade do many healthcare regulators ask for in each sub-test?
- D
- B
- E
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B: B — Some accept C+ in one or more. Check your regulator's current rules before booking.