OET vs. IELTS - One of the requirements for studying abroad is the presence of an English Language Proficiency test certificate or score. Students are frequently left perplexed when it comes to taking the OET or IELTS exam. Because both of these examinations assess a student's English language skills, students sometimes wonder which is easier: IELTS or OETS. Before we get into the topic of the hour, OET vs IELTS, let us first clarify what these examinations represent.
The Occupational English Test, or OET, is an English language test intended specifically for health care workers. Healthcare professionals who want to work or study in the healthcare sector in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Ukraine, Dubai, Singapore, or Namibia must apply for the OET, which is conducted by CBLA or Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment, to demonstrate their level of English proficiency and ability to provide superior healthcare.
Nowadays, many organisations, including hospitals, universities, and colleges, use OET scores to demonstrate students' capacity to communicate successfully in a challenging healthcare context. OET assesses all four language skills (listening, writing, reading, and speaking) with a focus on the healthcare context.
IELTS, or International English Language Testing System, is an English language exam that overseas students must complete before studying or working in a country where English is the primary means of communication. The most common nations for accepting IELTS scores for university admissions are the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. IELTS assesses the ability to communicate in four core English language skills: reading, listening, writing and speaking. Australia, the British Council, and Cambridge English Language Assessment jointly own and administer the IELTS exam.
Like IELTS, OET has four sections: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. OET Reading and Listening themes are of general healthcare interest, hence various professions take the same examinations. OET Speaking and Writing are specific to each profession. So, if you're a nurse, you'll conduct nursing chores, and if you're a dentist, your tasks will be dental-related, and so on. Here's how OET compares to IELTS Academic for each sub-test:
Listening subtest: OET will evaluate you using healthcare-related audio samples, such as a doctor-patient conversation. IELTS will evaluate you based on audio from academic contexts, such as a university lecture.
Reading sub-test: The OET uses healthcare-related texts such as point-of-care scenarios and workplace communications, whereas IELTS uses long-form writings from a variety of academic areas ranging from recycling to astrophysics.
Writing sub-test: During the OET, you will be required to compose a letter to another healthcare professional based on case notes. If you take IELTS, you will be needed to evaluate and describe graphs, charts, or process diagrams for a variety of academic themes, as well as compose an academic essay on a non-healthcare related issue.
Speaking sub-test: The OET evaluation is based on role plays in healthcare situations relevant to your career, such as a conversation between a doctor and a patient. IELTS will need you to complete a speaking exam with organised talks on a variety of academic areas unrelated to healthcare.
If you're planning to work or study in an English-speaking nation, make sure you choose the ideal exam for your needs. While both IELTS and OET are authentic, credible, and generally acknowledged, only OET is tailored exclusively for healthcare professionals like you. Here's why.
Criteria |
IELTS |
OET |
Full-Form |
International English Language Testing System |
Occupational English Test |
Conducted By |
British Council and IDP Education Ltd |
Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment Trust (CBLA) |
Accepted By |
|
|
Most popular for |
Candidates seeking to study, work, or relocate to English-speaking nations. |
Healthcare professionals seeking employment in the healthcare sector. |
Exam Pattern |
The IELTS exam has four sections: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Candidates are examined on these four aspects. |
The OET exam is broken into four sections: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. |
Variety |
2 versions of IELTS exam (Academic and General Training) |
12 versions for various healthcare professions, such as nurses, dentists, physicians, chemists, veterinarians, radiographers, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, etc. |
Duration of the Exam |
165 mins (2 hrs and 45 mins) |
170 mins |
Questions framed from |
Every section of the exam might be on a topic that may or may not be connected to healthcare. |
Each section of the test is based on actual working settings for healthcare professionals. |
Exam Score Range |
On a scale of 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest) |
On a scale of A (Highest) to E (Lowest) |
Exam Validity |
2 years |
2 years |
Exam Test Dates |
Once a week |
Available every month |
Exam Fees |
Rs 17,000 |
$587 AUD (INR 33,033) |
Availability of results |
Written test: 13 days CBT: 3-5 days after your test |
Varies as per the authorities |
Both tests assess candidates' English language proficiency. Before applying for the test, make sure you understand the entrance requirements. Many times, a university or institute may favour one exam over another. This is totally at the discretion of the institution admissions policies. Candidates should keep in mind that the OET exam is just for healthcare professionals, whereas the IELTS exam is open to a wider range of learners.
We know that the IELTS and OET are both English assessment examinations. If a student's English level does not meet the acceptable standard, he or she will be unable to pass either test. In summary, if a student's English level is high enough, it makes no difference whether the test is easier. As a result, there is no evidence to suggest which exam is easier: IELTS or OET.
Both of these examinations vary in complexity. However, many people believe that the OET is a simpler test. This is because it is healthcare-specific, allowing exam takers to use their knowledge, language, and experiences. In contrast, IELTS is not unique to the healthcare field. IELTS questions will include a broader range of topics and substance from numerous sources.
When you take the OET, you will be evaluated on areas that you have already studied while obtaining your healthcare qualifications. If you take the IELTS Academic, you may be examined on topics you have never studied before.
IELTS Academic is intended to determine if your language level is appropriate for university or college studies. As a result, you may be evaluated on a variety of topics, including coal mining and animal extinction, both of which are utterly unrelated to your past healthcare studies. This implies that you'll have to master a wider range of terminology, which will be more difficult.
In contrast, OET is designed exclusively for healthcare workers and is applicable to 12 professions. Every aspect of the test is modelled after real-world activities and scenarios you may experience in your daily job, making it familiar, relevant, and useful for learning and applying to your future employment.
Q.1. IELTS vs OET: which is better for nurses?
Ans: For some individuals, IELTS is the preferable option since it covers more countries and gives a greater comprehension of sophisticated English. On the other side, as a healthcare practitioner, the OET may be a preferable alternative (particularly for nurses) because it includes profession-specific information.
Q.2. What is the advantage of OET over IELTS?
Ans: The IELTS test will assess your English in the context of a wide range of themes. The OET will assess your abilities in the context of your medical profession. As a result, if you are a nurse or a doctor, you will be tested on topics relevant to your profession. Many people regard this as the primary justification for taking OET instead of IELTS.
Q.3. Can OET be changed into IELTS?
Ans: You may quickly convert your OET score to IELTS with the OET to IELTS converter. The calculator provides multiple OET bands for various IELTS scores. You can quickly verify and convert your scores.
Q.4. Are OET and IELTS the same?
Ans: The OET and IELTS assess test-takers' English language skills. These examinations assess reading, writing, speaking, and listening abilities. However, the nature of these exams differs. IELTS is meant to help you study, work, or relocate to a country where English is the native language. These countries include the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. On the other hand, OET is especially developed for healthcare professionals who desire to practise and register in an English-speaking setting.
Q.5. Who can take the OET?
Ans: OET was created for 12 healthcare professions, including dentistry, medicine, dietetics, nursing, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, podiatry, speech pathology, radiography, and veterinary science.
Q.6. Does the USA accept OET?
Ans: Yes, the United States recognises OET as a language competency assessment for healthcare practitioners.