Cambridge Assessment English, a part of University of Cambridge, has seen a great demand for medical professionals in Saudi Arabia signing up for the Occupational English Test (OET), the English language test of the health care sector in 12 professions.
The test is used by students so that they can pursue their dream of an international career in health care. Demand for OET has grown since the inauguration of OET Testing Center, the first test center in Saudi Arabia, in May this year at Dar Al-Hekma University.
Since 2013, OET has been owned by Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment, a venture between Cambridge Assessment English and Box Hill Institute.
OET is an Australian-developed English language test that assesses the language proficiency of health care professionals. It provides assessment of all four language skills — listening, reading, writing and speaking — through test material designed to reflect real health care scenarios.
Nassim Abu-Ershaed, regional commercial head at Cambridge Assessment English, said: “It is really encouraging to see so many Saudi health care professionals signing up for OET and it is really well accepted in the country. The demand for the test has been staggering and reflects the fact that many Saudi medical professionals are able to achieve high level of English literature. This opens up opportunities for them to work around the world and also by helping Saudi health care providers to meet the needs of international clientele.”
A nurse who works in a military hospital in the south of Saudi Arabia said: “I was extremely happy when I heard about the test which was held in Jeddah.” She said that, she along with all her colleagues have signed up as it is more convenient for them to take the test in the Kingdom versus internationally, which will significantly save their time and money.