If you want to work as a healthcare professional in a native English-speaking country you need to prove your English proficiency. The two main English language tests that healthcare professionals can take are called the IELTS and OET. Let’s discuss what these English language tests have in common and which one you need to do to achieve your career goals.
Skip to:
- What is IELTS?
- What countries accept IELTS?
- What are the types of IELTS Tests?
- Where and how can you take IELTS?
- What is OET?
- What countries accept OET?
- What are the types of OET?
- Where and how can you take OET?
- What are the differences between IELTS and OET?
- Should I take the IELTS or OET?
What is IELTS?
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an English language proficiency test. Non-native English speakers must pass this test if they want to work in native English-speaking countries. The IELTS determines an individual’s capability to communicate in English academically or professionally while abroad.
What countries accept IELTS?
More than 11,000 global employers, universities, schools, migration agencies, and immigration bodies accept IELTS Native English-speaking countries, such as the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the USA require non-native speakers to pass the IELTS exam if they wish to work or study in these countries.
What are the types of IELTS Tests?
There are 3 types of IELTS tests: General Training, Academic, and Life Skills. These tests assess your English language proficiency by testing your writing, reading, listening, and speaking skills.
1. IELTS General Training
For those planning to study in secondary education, enroll in vocational training, move abroad for work or migrate.
2. IELTS Academic
For those who plan to study in higher education or seek professional registration in a native English-speaking country. If you are a healthcare professional, you need to take the IELTS Academic test.
3. IELTS Life Skills
For those who need to prove their English speaking and listening skills as part of a visa or immigration application.
Where and how can you take IELTS?
If you’re ready to take your IELTS, the first step is to find the nearest test location in your area. Select your country location and you will be given a list of test centers in your country.
When you have chosen your test center, you may register online and pay or download an application form to print, complete, and submit to your local test center. Upon registration, you will need to present a government-issued ID (the same ID you need to bring along on your test day). Your test center will send you a written confirmation of the date and time of your test.
Alternatively, you can take your test online. IELTS Online presents the same content in the same format as taking the IELTS exam in a test center. Applicants can do their speaking test in real-time with an online trained IELTS examiner. The best part? You can take this test to achieve your career goals from the comfort of your home!
What is OET?
The Occupational English Test (OET) is specifically designed to test healthcare professionals who want to work in the healthcare sector in English-speaking countries. The OET determines an individual’s capacity to communicate in English effectively while providing healthcare services to native-English-speaking patients.
What countries accept OET?
OET is accepted by healthcare regulators globally. Native English-speaking countries, like Canada, the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland accept OET results. Singapore which is culturally diverse recognizes OET. Countries like Saudi Arabia and UAE in the GCC region also accept OET.
What are the types of OET?
The OET has tests for 12 different medical professions:
- Dentistry
- Dietetics
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Occupational Therapy
- Optometry
- Pharmacy
- Physiotherapy
- Podiatry
- Radiography
- Speech Pathology
- Veterinary Science
Where and how can you take OET?
There are the 3 test types of OET available: OET on Paper at a Test Venue, OET on Computer at a Test Venue, and OET@Home.
OET on paper is the most widely available test while OET on a computer is currently available only for OET Medicine and OET Nursing. To book, the first step is to check for an available test center in your country. Depending on your location, you will be given test center options. Once you’ve chosen your test center, you can book your OET test. Booking dates and test centers are subject to availability.
OET@Home is available if there is no test center in your country. You can book for this test providing that you meet the system requirements. Also, remember to check if the company you’re applying for accepts OET@Home before booking.
What are the differences between IELTS and OET?
- While both tests assess your English proficiency, IELTS tests your overall ability to communicate in the English language. However, OET tests your ability to communicate effectively in English in a healthcare setting, focusing mainly on profession-specific content.
- IELTS offers 3 versions of the test, while OET offers 12 versions of the test.
- For IELTS, test-takers need to prepare by learning a huge amount of vocabulary on a wide range of academic subjects and writing reports. OET on the other hand, test-takers need to prepare by learning the healthcare-related and profession-specific language.
- IELTS test is graded from 1 (lowest) to 9 (highest), OET test is graded from A (highest) to E (lowest).
- IELTS is recognized by universities, regulatory bodies, immigration authorities, and companies globally. OET is recognized by healthcare regulatory bodies and Higher Education healthcare educators in locations such as the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Dubai.
Should I take the IELTS or OET?
Both IELTS and OET are beneficial if you are considering moving your healthcare career abroad. Knowing whether you should take IELTS or OET really depends on your requirements and priorities. So make sure you choose the right test by checking the required English Test set by the company you are applying for.
If you need to prepare for your IELTS or OET, TrueProfile.io can help! We teamed up with Specialist Language Courses (SLC) to offer our Members comprehensive preparation courses to help you achieve high scores in OET Medicine, OET Nursing, or IELTS to work in English-speaking countries.
SLC’s Reach courses are packed with test analysis, key language inputs, test strategies, and lots of test practice to ensure excellent communication skills for your day-to-day working environment. Click on the relevant link below to take your career to the next level:
