OET Test Regulations

Booklet 2014






































Version: 17/4Y04

OET Test Regulations 2014


CBLA 2014 | 17/4Y04 Page 2 of 21

Version Control

Version
Name
Issued Supersedes Changes from previous version
17/4Y04 17 April 2014 06/4Y02 5.7.2 Candidate feedback and complaints process
clarified

5.7.4 Disqualification process explained

5.8 Malpractice updated Malpractice definition,
sharing of information in an investigation and
malpractice procedures and reiterated that all test
responses are subject to statistical and qualitative
analyses for the for the detection of unusual response
patterns and irregular score profiles.

6.1.2 Results are now issued online approximately 14
working days after the test.

06/4Y02 6 February 2014 20/3Y12 4.3 Withdrawals updates to policy

20/3Y12 20 December 2013 OET Test
Regulations
2013
New edition for 2014. Please review all and read
thoroughly.




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1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 4
1.1. Definitions 4
1.2. Important note 4
2. GENERAL REGULATIONS AND CONDITIONS ......................................................... 5
3. APPLYING FOR OET .................................................................................................. 5
4. LEADING UP TO TEST DAY ....................................................................................... 6
4.1. Registration confirmation and timetable 6
4.2. Deferral to a future test date 7
4.3. Withdrawal 8
4.4. Changing venue location 10
5. TEST DAY .................................................................................................................. 10
5.1. Reporting at the venue on test day 10
5.2. ID discrepancy 11
5.3. ID discrepancy process 12
5.4. Rescheduled tests 12
5.5. Serious illness on test day 13
5.6. Failure to attend on test day 13
5.7. During the test 13
5.8. Malpractice 16
6. AFTER THE TEST ..................................................................................................... 17
6.1. Assessment materials and results 18
6.2. Statement of Results 18
7. COPYRIGHT .............................................................................................................. 19
8. DATA PROTECTION ................................................................................................. 19
9. CONTACT DETAILS .................................................................................................. 20
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1. Introduction

These are the Test Regulations relating to Occupational English Test (OET). These regulations, policies and
procedures are designed to ensure that all OET candidates are treated equitably and fairly, that the testing
environment is secure and that all staff conform to high-quality performance standards.
Anyone who requires additional information should go to the Help and Information section of
http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/

1.1 Definitions
OET: Occupational English Test
CBLA: Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment (owner of OET)
Venue: an authorised OET Test Venue. Venues are independently run institutions and CBLA is
not responsible for any actions or omissions by venues
Venue Manager: the main point of contact at a venue
Candidate: someone who has registered with CBLA via http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/
to take OET.
Days: any instance in this document mentioning days refers to Business days unless
otherwise stated. A business day for the purpose of this document is Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Melbourne time,

1.2 Important note
CBLA accepts test applications on the basis that venues and candidates fully understand the Test
Regulations incorporating the Notice to Candidates (see last page of this document). Candidates will be
asked to confirm, as part of the test day registration process, that they have read and understood these
documents. Their ability to complete the test and/or their results may be affected if they do not comply with
the Test Regulations.

Any questions before test day can be directed to CBLA at the Help and Information section at
http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org; on test day, questions should be directed to the Venue Manager or
an invigilator.

This document contains policies and procedures relevant to candidates. It is important that venues also
familiarise themselves with this document so they can advise candidates accordingly.


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2. General regulations and conditions

2.1 OET may be taken by anyone, regardless of their age, gender, disability, race, nationality, religion,
sexual orientation or other attribute protected by Australian anti-discrimination laws. Although OET is
designed for native speakers of languages other than English, no language-related restrictions apply.
2.2 The following restrictions apply:
All sub-tests must be taken on the dates specified
All four sub-tests are compulsory for first-time OET applicants
Responsibility rests with candidates to check the English Language Skills Registration Standard
of the authority that regulates their profession or the minimum OET grade accepted by the
institution to which they are applying.

3. Applying for OET

3.1 Applying for OET is done via http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/ CBLA will advise the venue or
candidate on matters such as the test dates, test closing dates and test fees.
3.2 Candidate fees for OET are charged by CBLA for each candidate registered.
3.3 CBLA does not advise on textbooks or courses of study, or recommend teaching establishments.
Where a venue is permitted to use OET branding, this only indicates that they are certified to administer
OET. It does not indicate they are endorsed as a teaching establishment.
3.4 CBLA is committed to providing access to candidates with health-related and any other special needs.
Requests for Special Provision requirements should be made via the Help and Information section at:
http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org during the application process. This includes anything that
would require special provision on test day, for example, if, due to a medical reason you would need to
visit the bathroom more frequently than rules allow on test day. We endeavour to accommodate
candidates with special requirements where reasonably possible.
3.5 Applications will not be accepted after the application closing date, which is published at
http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/


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4. Leading up to test day

4.1 Registration confirmation and timetable
4.1.1 Candidates will receive an initial email confirmation of application from CBLA. This confirmation must
be checked very carefully, particularly for any incorrect spelling and ID details, and any corrections
should be drawn to the attention of CBLA immediately via http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/.
ID or any other corrections can only be made no later than 5 days after the closing date for the test
date for which you have applied. Refer to the OET website for closing dates.
4.1.2 If your travel plans require that you arrive at or leave the test venue at a specific time, you can notify
CBLA at www.occupationalenglishtest.org and we will endeavour to timetable your Speaking sub-
test timeslot to suit. We must be notified before the closing date for the test you are attending, and
we cannot guarantee that we will be able to accommodate.
4.1.3 Approximately two weeks prior to the test date, timetables will be emailed to candidates with details
of where and when the test will take place.
4.1.4 For security reasons, requests to deviate from the published timetable cannot be approved.


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4.2 Deferral to a future test date
If you are registered to sit OET but then find you are not able to attend the test for any reason, you can
defer to the next available test date provided you do so before the closing date for applications for
the test date for which you applied. See Table 1 and the other conditions below:
4.2.1 You must defer the whole application it is not possible to defer some sub-tests and leave the
application for others the same.
4.2.2 A deferral cannot be reversed.
4.2.3 Administration fees apply (see Table 1).

Table 1: Deferring your application to a future test date

Timeline Reason Will I incur a financial penalty? Deferral Procedure
Before the
closing date
for
applications
for the test
date for
which you
originally
applied
Any
reason
You may defer before the closing
date for applications for the test
date for which you originally
applied for any reason. An
administration fee of AUD $120 is
payable.
Access your online candidate
profile and click the 'Defer' button
pay a non-refundable
administration fee by credit card
only (Visa or MasterCard)
be prepared to sit the next
available administration.

After the
closing date
for test
applications
Serious
medical
reason
You may defer after the closing
date for test applications if you
have a serious medical reason and
can provide a detailed medical
certificate no later than 5 days after
the test. The certificate must state
the medical reasons why you had
to withdraw from the test and
confirm why you were unfit to sit the
test and had to defer. An
administration fee of AUD $120 is
payable. Please note, if you did
not sit the test due to the following
reasons:
you were refused entry on test
day
you chose the wrong venue
you chose the wrong sub-test
you will not be able to defer for
serious medical reasons.
Contact CBLA via the Help and
Information section at:
http://www.occupationalenglishtest
.org/
pay a non-refundable
administration fee by credit card
only (Visa or MasterCard)
be prepared to sit the next
available administration.
Any
other
reason
You may not defer after the closing
date for applications.


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4.3 Withdrawal
If you are registered to sit OET but then find you are not able to attend the test, you can withdraw and
request a refund provided you do so before the closing date for applications for the test date for which
you originally applied. If you need to withdraw after the closing date there are only certain conditions in
which you may do so. See Table 2 and other conditions below:


4.3.1 If you withdraw you may be eligible for a refund depending on the reason and time when you
withdraw, see Table 2 for details.
4.3.2 If the request is approved, the application will be removed and no Statement of Results will be
issued.
4.3.3 Administration fees apply (see Table 2).
4.3.4 The AUD $7 online booking fee paid will not be refunded.
4.3.5 Processing your refund may take up to 4 weeks.

Table 2: Withdrawing your application

Timeline Reason Will I incur a financial penalty? Withdrawal procedure
Before the
closing date
for
application
for the test
date for which
you originally
applied
Any reason

You may withdraw before the
closing date for applications for
the test date for which you
originally applied for any reason.
An administration fee of AUD $120
will be deducted from your refund.
.
Access your online
candidate profile and click
the 'Withdraw' button
an administration fee of
AUD $120 will be deducted
from your refund.

After the
closing date
for
applications
Serious
medical
reason

You may withdraw after the
closing date for applications if
you have a serious medical reason
and can provide a detailed medical
certificate no later than 5 days
after the test. The certificate must
state the medical reasons why you
had to withdraw from the test and
confirm why you were unfit to sit the
test. An administration fee of AUD
$120 is payable. Please note, if
you did not sit the test due to the
following reasons:
you were refused entry on test
day
you chose the wrong venue
you chose the wrong sub-test
you will not be able to withdraw for
serious medical reasons.

Contact CBLA via the Help
and Information section at:
http://www.occupationalengl
ishtest.org/
an administration fee of
AUD $120 will be deducted
from your refund.

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If you do not
need to resit
due to
achieving
the
minimum
results
required
You may withdraw after the
closing date for applications and
upon the publication of your
results for your previous test (to
your online candidate profile) if you
have achieved the minimum results
required. You must notify CLBA in
writing within 2 days of your
results being published to your
online candidate profile at
http://www.occupationalenglishtest.
org/ . An administration fee of AUD
$120 is payable.
Only candidates who meet the
following criteria will qualify for
withdrawal for this reason:
You took the test on the
test date immediately
preceding the test from
which you wish to withdraw
Your results for the test
(immediately preceding the
test date from which you
wish to withdraw) were not
published at the time of
registering for the new test
You achieved a minimum
of grade B for each sub-
test on the test date
immediately preceding the
test from which you wish to
withdraw
Any request for withdrawal not
received within 2 days of your
results for the previous test being
published to your online candidate
profile will not qualify for
withdrawal.
Contact CBLA via the Help
and Information section at:
http://www.occupationalengl
ishtest.org/ an
administration fee of AUD
$120 will be deducted from
your refund.
Any other
reason
You may not withdraw after the
closing date for test applications.






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4.4 Changing venue location

If you are registered to sit OET but then find you need to change your venue location, for example, if you
move location, you can change to another OET venue published on http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org
provided you do so before the closing date for the test date for which you originally applied: See Table 3 and
the other conditions below:

4.4.1 Administration fees apply (see Table 3).

Table 3: Changing venue location

Timeline Reason Will I incur a financial penalty? Change of venue procedure
Before the
closing date
for the test
date for
which you
originally
applied
Any reason You may request a change of
venue before the closing date for
the test date for which you
originally applied. An
administration fee of AUD $120 is
payable.

Contact CBLA via the Help and
Information section at:
http://www.occupationalenglishtes
t.org/

After the
closing date
for test
applications
Any reason No venue change is allowed after
the closing date for test
applications.



5. Test Day

Note that some venues may be subject to video monitoring for security purposes.

CBLA regularly inspects its authorised venues to ensure that they are administering OET according to its
strict regulations. Most inspections are unannounced and can be carried out at any venues used to
administer OET.

5.1 Reporting at the venue on test day

All venues will require candidates to do each of the following:
You must present the ID document you used when you applied for OET. Your ID document
must be current and the ID document details must match exactly the details you provided in
your application for this test; otherwise, you will not be allowed to sit the test
Your signature will be verified against your official photo identification document, provided your
signature appears on that document
You will be asked to sign the Candidate Register as part of the test-day registration process
Your photo will also be taken. Venues will notify you about procedures accordingly
You will be required to show your ID and/or sign a Candidate Identity Check form at various
points throughout the test administration. This could include before or during the first 15
minutes of any sub-test.


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Table 4: Acceptable ID

Country ID Accepted
Australia In Australia:
you must provide your original current passport as proof of
identity: no other type of photo identification will be accepted
unless officially authorised by CBLA.
Rest of World Outside Australia:
you must provide your current passport or, if you hold an official
National Identity Card for the country in which you are sitting, the
test, you may use your current card as your ID document
if you are testing outside your country of origin you must use your
current passport as evidence of identity and provide evidence of
recent travel.

If you do not have an accepted ID document or note an error related to your ID document, please contact
CBLA via the Help and Information section at: http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/ no later than 5 days
after the closing date for applications for the test date for which you have applied.

5.2 ID discrepancy
The venue staff checking candidates ID have the right to decide what will happen in the case of ID
problems. Please note the process and the general conditions below:
Prior admission to a test venue based on a given ID document does not guarantee that the
document will be considered acceptable
All reported cases of questionable ID are subject to review and approval by CBLA after the test
administration. CBLA reserves the right to withhold and/or cancel grades in the event that the ID
requirements are not met.

You will not be admitted to the test if the last name on your primary ID does not match the name you used
when you registered.

Your test fee will not be refunded if you are not permitted to sit the test or if your grades are withheld or
cancelled because of invalid or unacceptable ID.

You may be admitted, but will need to provide supplemental ID within 5 days of the test if your primary ID
document is otherwise acceptable but shows minor discrepancies when compared to the OET Candidate
Register.

If you need to provide further ID after test day you will be given an ID/name discrepancy form by the Venue
Manager.

The following ID documents are generally acceptable as supplemental ID:
Government-issued ID card
Student ID card
Working with Children Check card (within Australia)
Medicare card (within Australia).
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5.3 ID discrepancy process
The venue staff have the right to decide whether you will be admitted to the test.


5.4 Rescheduled tests
Circumstances beyond our control, such as adverse weather conditions, may result in a delayed start or
rescheduled test, or may result in grades being cancelled after you take the test.

Table 5: Rescheduled test

When What happens?
Test is rescheduled
before the test date
You can select from a future scheduled test date with no administration fee
charged.
Test is cancelled on
the day
You can select from a future scheduled test date with no administration fee
charged, or request a full refund.

If you have incurred travel costs to get to the venue, you may be eligible for
reimbursement of reasonable and documented travel expenses for
yourself within 30 days of your original test date, on condition that
appropriate receipts are presented.
Test happens on the
day but your grades
are cancelled
CBLA will determine whether you are eligible to select a different test date
with no administration fee charged or request a full refund.

If you have incurred travel costs to get to the venue, you may be eligible for
reimbursement of reasonable and documented travel expenses for
yourself within 30 days of your original test date, on condition that
appropriate receipts are presented.
Test happens on the
day but there are
problems (not the fault
of the candidate) and
sub-test(s) need to be
repeated
You can select from a future scheduled test date with no administration fee
or registration fee charged.
ID not valid or the name
does not match exactly the
name on your registration
if you are not admitted to
the test your test fee will
not be refunded
If you are admitted to the
test you will be required to
provide supplemental ID
after the test date
send through supplemental
ID/disrepancy
documentation within 5
days after the test date
If positive confirmation is
made, you will receive your
test scores, but these may
be delayed depending on
processing time
If positive confirmation is
not made, your test grades
may be withheld or
cancelled
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5.5 Serious illness on test day
If you could not attend the test day due to serious illness, and you provide a medical certificate within 5 days
of the test date, you will receive a refund minus an administrative fee of AUD $120. Please note this does
not apply to minor illnesses.

5.6 Failure to attend on test day
If you do not attend on the test day for any reason other than serious illness, you will lose your full fee.

5.7 During the test
5.7.1 Special Consideration
If there is any problem that might affect the performance of a candidate during the test, this must be
reported to the Venue Manager on the day of the test. If appropriate, the Venue Manager will report
it to CBLA. A Special Consideration Form may be given to you in such instances. Special
Consideration must be requested on test day.
5.7.2 Feedback or Complaints

OET Test Day Complaints
If you wish to provide us with a statement about your OET test day experience please write to OET
via the Help and Information tab at www.occupationalenglishtest.org. Please include your:
Candidate ID
Name
Test date, and;
Test Venue.

CBLA values candidate feedback and always investigates thoroughly when a formal complaint is
made. You may wish to comment on any irregularities, such as seating arrangements, invigilation,
candidate behaviour, or other circumstances.

We will use your statement to investigate incidents relating to the test. Our investigation will include
as appropriate: statements from other candidates, the Venue Manager, Invigilators and other Venue
staff; seating plans and details of candidate identity checks; statistical analysis of responses and
scoring patterns.

If you wish for your complaint to be considered by the OET Appeals Committee, you must write to us
within two days of the test.

What happens next?
After you submit your statement via the Help and Information tab at
www.occupationalenglishtest.org you will receive an email acknowledging receipt of your
complaint from our Customer Service team.
We may be in touch with you during the investigation period with requests for further
information.

Once the investigation is complete you will receive an email that details the outcome of our
investigation. This may take 10 to 14 days.



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Please note
Complaints about test day that are not submitted in writing via the Help and Information tab
at www.occupationalenglishtest.org or received within two days of the test day cannot be
considered by the OET Appeals Committee.
Complaints need to be lodged by the candidate. CBLA will only respond to third party
complaints if authorisation to do so is first received from the candidate concerned.

Other Complaints
If you wish to contact us regarding matters other than test day, you are welcome to contact
us via the Help and Information tab at www.occupationalenglishtest.org at any time.
Our overall customer satisfaction rating for this service is over 94% and the majority of
emails received are responded to within 3 days.
Complaints need to be lodged by the candidate. CBLA will only respond to third party
complaints if authorisation to do so is first received from the candidate concerned.

Candidate Survey
After test day you will also be invited to participate in a survey on your test day experience.
You are welcome to leave feedback and rate your experience. We use this feedback to
improve our operations and pass relevant feedback onto the venues.

5.7.3 Notice to Candidates Rules and Regulations
The rules and regulations on how candidates must behave during the test are given in the Notice to
Candidates. You sign up to this when you apply for OET; a copy is on the last page of this document
and available on http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/. A copy will also be displayed at the venue
on test day. Anyone not following the instructions contained in the Notice to Candidates may be
disqualified and stopped from taking the test or may be subject to CBLA Malpractice Procedures, as
detailed below. Malpractice such as copying is likely to be noticed by an invigilator or supervisor, but
may also be detected by assessors during marking and by routine statistical checks applied to
candidates answers. Any candidate found to have been involved in malpractice will not receive a
result. Candidates should note that the inclusion of offensive comments, such as obscenities or
racist remarks, in test responses is unacceptable and may lead to results being disqualified.

5.7.4 Disqualification
If you do not follow the OET Test Regulations (e.g. if you have cheated, used unfair practice, broken
a rule or regulation, or ignored advice or information), you will be given a verbal warning from a
member of test venue staff. This will be your only warning. If you continue to not follow the OET
Test Regulations, a disqualification will be issued by a member of test venue staff, and you will
receive a disqualification advisory. What you will need to do next:

Please leave the venue quietly and avoid disturbing other candidates.
Even if you continue taking the test you will not receive a Statement of Results.
If any of your items have been confiscated venue staff will return them to you.



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CBLA will investigate the disqualification. If you wish to provide a statement please write to CBLA
within two days via the Help and Information tab at www.occupationalenglishtest.org and include:
Candidate ID
Name
Test Date and;
Test Venue.

CBLA will use your statement to investigate a disqualification. Our investigation will include as
appropriate: statements from other candidates, the Venue Manager, Invigilators and other Venue
staff; seating plans and details of candidate identity checks; statistical analysis of responses and
scoring patterns.

Please note: statements need to be lodged by the candidate. CBLA will only respond to third party
statements if authorisation to do so is first received from the candidate concerned.

What happens if you submit a statement?
After you submit your statement via the Help and Information tab at
www.occupationalenglishtest.org you will receive an email acknowledging receipt of your
statement from our Customer Service team.
We may be in touch with you during the investigation period to request further information.

Once the investigation is complete you will receive an email that details the outcome of our
investigation. This may take 10 to 14 days.

5.7.5 Bathroom breaks and leaving the test room
There are strict rules on when and how you are allowed to leave the test room
You may only leave the test room to go to the bathroom during Reading Part B and Writing sub-
tests, apart from the first and last ten minutes of these sub-tests
You must raise your hand and wait for an invigilator to come to escort you out of the room and
escort you back to your seat
If you feel unwell or have another emergency and decide to leave the test, you must raise your
hand and wait for an invigilator to come to escort you out of the room
If you know you may need to go to the bathroom more frequently (for example, if you are
pregnant), notify CLBA at www.occupationalenglishtest.org before the applications closing date.

5.7.5 ID Checks before and during sub-tests

You must make sure that your name and candidate number as displayed on your desk are accurate.
Invigilators must check that the name and signature (if applicable) on your ID check form match your
ID document, and that the name on your answer sheet matches your ID. Invigilators will check your
ID either before a sub-test or in the first 15 minutes of a sub-test this differs per sub-test.


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5.8 Malpractice

5.8.1 Malpractice Overview

The CBLA Malpractice Procedure deals with cases of suspected irregular conduct deemed to be
malpractice.

Malpractice is any action which gives or aims to give unfair advantage to a candidate or causes
disadvantage to other candidates. The Notice to Candidates, which is displayed outside and inside
all test rooms, warns candidates of the consequences of such actions.

Malpractice includes, without limitation:
obtaining unauthorised access to test material
using or trying to use unauthorised material, e.g. notes, study guides, mobile phones,
other electronic equipment, smart watches, highlighters, mechanical pens or pencils etc.
copying/collusion or attempted copying/collusion
disruptive behaviour
not following the instructions of an invigilator or Venue Manager, e.g. not switching off
mobile phones and handing them in to cloakroom staff
impersonation (pretending to be someone else)
altering any results document, including a certificate.

Cases of suspected malpractice may be identified:
by the venue, e.g. a report from an invigilator
by assessors , e.g. unusual incorrect answers shared by candidates who were sitting
next to each other
by statistical analysis of candidates' answer sheets
via an application for Special Consideration, e.g. where a mobile phone has disturbed a
group of candidates.

Irrespective of whether suspected malpractice is reported, your test responses will as a
matter of routine be subject to statistical and qualitative analyses for the detection of unusual
response patterns and irregular score profiles. If these analyses provide evidence that you may
have been involved in malpractice, CBLA will withhold your results pending further investigation.
Whenever there is evidence that results may be invalid, The OET Centre will report to, and work
with, the regulatory authorities to take appropriate remedial action.

CBLA reserves all rights provided to it under law, including without limitation, the right to withhold
results while the investigation and malpractice procedures are underway. CBLA may share
investigation details, including candidate information, with relevant regulatory authorities and law
enforcement agencies.

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5.8.2 Malpractice Procedure

The malpractice procedure usually has two stages (as below). However, if it is decided that more
information is needed after the Stage Two meeting, then a Stage Three meeting may also be
required.

Stage One Malpractice Committee meeting

The Malpractice Committee looks at all available evidence in relation to the case (e.g.
seating plans, question papers and answer sheets). If the Committee feels that there is no
case to answer, it recommends that the candidate's results be released.
If the Committee decides that further investigation is needed, it recommends that the
candidate's results be withheld. This means that no final result or certificate is issued at this
stage.
If results are to be withheld, the venue informs the candidate and asks them to give a
statement. This statement is returned to CBLA, together with any other information
requested.

Stage Two Malpractice Committee meeting

The Malpractice Committee looks at the case again, taking into account the candidate
statement and any other additional information. After carefully considering all the evidence,
the Committee recommends whether the candidate's result should be released or
permanently withheld.
If it is decided that a candidate's results can be released, the original results will be issued,
unchanged.
If it is decided that the results should be permanently withheld, the candidate will not receive
a result and in some cases, e.g. intentional fraud, the candidate may not be allowed to sit
OET in the future. The candidate will be notified in writing if their results are withheld and if
they are eligible to apply for OET in the future.
This procedure is designed to ensure that all decisions are consistent, fair and based on the
fullest information available. We aim to complete the investigation of malpractice cases
within eight weeks.


6. After the test

OET sub-tests are marked by qualified assessors who are subject to a rigorous training-and-monitoring
programme. Statistical analysis of interlocutor performance is provided to CBLA and assessor feedback also
forms part of the monitoring.

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6.1 Assessment materials and results
6.1.1 CBLA cannot be held responsible for the loss of test scripts or materials while in transit from the
venue and/or its venues to CBLA.
6.1.2 Results are issued online approximately 14 days after the test. A grade ranging from AE is issued
for each sub-test. An overall grade for OET is not issued.
6.1.3 From time to time CBLA is unable to release results in the timeframe stated in 6.1.2. Possible
reasons for this might include that we are investigating a claim of malpractice, we are unable to
match the identity documents provided, a candidate has applied for Special Consideration and we
are considering that request or we are experiencing technical issues.
6.1.4 CBLA may withhold results in some instances relating to rescheduled tests, malpractice, ID
mismatch, Special Consideration requests and technical issues. See relevant sections in this
document for further information.
6.1.5 CBLA does not re-mark on request. The OET assessment process is rigorous, involving routine
double marking, triple marking as required and statistical analysis.
6.1.6 CBLA does not provide feedback on the performance of a candidate (e.g. Where did he or she go
wrong?). Information about a candidates performance in sub-tests is limited to what is contained in
the Statement of Results. No further information will be given to candidates or venues. Under no
circumstances will CBLA return work done by candidates.

6.2 Statement of Results
6.2.1 Statements of Results are mailed directly to candidates approximately 7 days after the results are
published online. At the time of application candidates can also order and pay for additional copies to
be sent to professional authorities (see http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org for applicable fees).
CBLA Statements of Results are important documents containing a number of security features in
order to make it difficult for them to be forged or copied.
6.2.2 Statement of Results can only be replaced if the original was issued less than two years before the
request date. The replacement Statement of Results will contain the original test date. See Table 6
for more information.
6.2.3 Statements of Results are issued in the name of the candidate at the time OET was taken.
Replacement Statements of Results will not be provided to accommodate a subsequent change of
name.

Table 6: Additional Statement of Results

Reason Requirement Will I incur a financial
penalty?
Accidentally damaged, lost or
for any other reason, and
issued less than two years ago
Apply for replacement Statement of
Results through
http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org
You will be charged a
fee of AUD $35.00.

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7. Copyright

7.1 CBLA holds the copyright on all question papers and test material. Question papers and test material
may not be taken from the test room or reproduced in whole or in part without permission in writing from
CBLA.
7.2 CBLA does not allow candidates or venue staff to view candidates answers or any other work done as
part of OET.
7.3 CBLA will not return any work produced by candidates in the test to candidates or venues.

8. Data protection

8.1 CBLA is subject to various data-protection and privacy laws and authorised venues are required to
comply with applicable data-protection and privacy laws. As well as collecting personal information from
you directly, CBLA may collect personal information from OET venues and third parties such as those to
whom personal information may be disclosed under this Data Protection section and our Privacy Policy.
8.2 The personal information of candidates may be collected, used and disclosed by CBLA in connection
with the administration of OET, quality control, identity verification, research and development, the
investigation and prevention of fraud, crime and misconduct (including cheating) and any acquisition or
potential acquisition of CBLA. Without personal information of candidates, we may not be able to do
these things, for example candidates will not be able to undertake OET. Unless candidates opt out by
contacting us, we may provide marketing communications to candidates on an ongoing basis by
telephone, electronic messages (like email) and other means. We may exchange the personal
information of candidates with Cambridge University Press, who may also use information for these
purposes.
8.3 Work produced in OET will be used in the assessment of performance in the test and written work,
video and audio recordings of candidates Speaking tests may also be used as part of CBLAs quality-
control, research and development activities, or extracts in anonymised form may be reproduced in
published test-preparation material. This work may include activities within Cambridge University, such
as with Cambridge University Press.
8.4 Information on how candidates performed in OET will be sent directly to the candidate and may be sent
to another third party authorised by the candidate for verification purposes related to professional
registration, immigration or work or study applications. In addition, certain third parties may view
information; details can be found at http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/ Work produced by
candidates in the test will not be returned to the candidate or to their venue.
8.5 If a candidate is suspected of and investigated for malpractice, their personal details and details of the
investigation may be passed to a third party. For example, if they want to use their result for visa
purposes, CBLA may need to share this information with the relevant immigration authority or
registration board.
8.6 We may also share the personal information of candidates with our related companies, agents and
service providers, including those providing mailing house, legal, accounting, business and financial
consulting, archival, auditing, banking, marketing, advertising, delivery, customer contact, information
technology, research, utility, insurance, data processing, data analysis, investigation or security
services.
8.7 Some of the third parties to whom we may disclose the personal information of candidates may be
located in other countries. CBLA is required to protect your information under the Privacy Act in relation
to these disclosures. While these third parties outside Australia will often be subject to privacy and
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confidentiality obligations, you acknowledge that they may not always comply with the particular
requirements of Australian privacy laws.
8.8 Our Privacy Policy contains further details about how we handle personal information and matters such
as access, correction-and-complaint procedures and website privacy. Our Privacy Policy is accessible
via www.occupationalenglishtest.org and on request.

9. Contact details

For help and information please contact: The Help and Information section at
http://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/

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