If you are a nurse looking to work overseas, then you will already probably know that you are required to have a minimum level of English proficiency, which can be demonstrated through scores in the IELTS or OET tests. So, how do you decide which one to study for and undertake? Let’s compare the two tests.
The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a general English language assessment test that is recognized in all the English speaking countries across the globe including USA, Australia, UK, New Zealand, Canada, and many more. OET (Occupational English Test) is a language assessment test that is designed specifically for healthcare professionals who are migrating to New Zealand and Australia, or Singapore.
So the first criterion you should look at is the country where you wish to work. IELTS is accepted in many more countries than OET. OET, however, is profession specific, which may be advantageous to you as you would have possibly faced similar situations at work. For example, in the speaking portion of the test, the examiner may play the role of a patient and you will have to speak to him or her accordingly. IELTS, on the other hand, is not profession specific but is a generic test of your English comprehension and English communication skills. The content may be taken from anywhere at all, including various news journals and professional magazines. You may not be familiar with the situations. For example, it could be a listening test that talks about a student booking a ticket to travel around the UK.
For your reference, here is a quick comparison:
IELTS: Total duration is 2 hours and 45 mins.
OET : Total duration is about 3 hours.
Both tests will evaluate your proficiency in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.
- LISTENING
IELTS Approximately 30 minutes, 4 sections with 40 questions
The first two sections deal with situations set in everyday social contexts, while the third and fourth sections deal with situations set in educational and training contexts.
OET: Time: 40-30 minutes in two parts
Part-A is a note taking task, after a consultation between a health professional and patient, and part-B requires you to answer questions after listening to a lecture.
- READING
IELTS (General Training) One hour, 3 sections, with 40 questions
The sections comprise ‘Social survival’, ‘Workplace survival’, and ‘General reading’.
OET One hour, with questions related to books, journals, magazines and newspapers, pertaining to healthcare.
- WRITING
IELTS (General Training) 60 minutes, with two writing tasks to complete.
Task 1 requires you respond to a particular situation by writing a letter or so on. Task 2 requires that you should write an essay.
OET This is a 45 minute section with one writing task that is profession specific, for eg writing a medical letter such as a discharge/ follow up/ referral letter based on the given case notes.
- SPEAKING
IELTS The Speaking test consists of a 11-14 minute interview between the test taker and an examiner on various topics.
OET This is an individual interview of around 20 minutes, with a few role plays where you have the enact the role of a nurse talking to a patient.
Based on your requirement, you can choose which of the tests you wish to appear for. Good luck!