OET vs IELTS: Which Language Proficiency Exam is better for You?

Overview

Choosing the right English proficiency test is critical for people pursuing opportunities like immigration, professional registration, or academic pursuits. If you work in healthcare, choosing the correct English Proficiency Test can be difficult because you have two options: IELTS or OET.

The OET (Occupational English Test) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System) are two popular English language competence assessments. However, each exam has specific requirements. So, interested candidates often wonder which one to choose between OET and IELTS.

In this light, this blog strives to help people make informed decisions by comparing IELTS and OET. Let's get started and determine which one is ideal for you.

Table of Contents

Overview
What is the OET Exam?
What is the IELTS Exam?
OET vs IELTS - Exam Pattern
Difference between IELTS and OET
IELTS vs OET – Which is Easier?
Conclusion
FAQs

What is the OET Exam?

The OET is a language proficiency test designed for healthcare professionals. It assesses English language skills in a medical context, evaluating candidates' abilities to communicate effectively in healthcare settings.

The test consists of four sub-tests - Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Each sub-test is tailored to healthcare scenarios, ensuring relevance to the professional context of test-takers.

What is the IELTS Exam?

IELTS is a widely recognised English language proficiency test that evaluates individuals' competencies to communicate effectively in English for various purposes, including immigration, study, and work.

The IELTS exam comprises four sections – Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. It is a general test taken by a diverse range of candidates, including students, professionals, and individuals seeking immigration opportunities.

Also Read: IELTS Exam Format

OET vs IELTS - Exam Pattern

Understanding the exam pattern is crucial for proper preparation. Below, you can explore the difference between IELTS and OET exam patterns.

Type	OET Exam Pattern	IELTS Exam Pattern
Listening	It involves listening to healthcare-related recordings and answering questions.	It involves listening to various recordings and responding to related questions.
Reading	It focuses on healthcare-related reading materials with task types specific to the medical field.	It comprises reading passages with a range of question types.
Writing	Requires writing a letter or other healthcare-related documents.	Requires candidates to complete two writing tasks: Task 1 (report writing) and Task 2 (essay writing).
Speaking	Assesses speaking skills through simulated healthcare consultations.	Assesses speaking skills through a face-to-face interview with a certified examiner.

Difference between IELTS and OET

Below, you can check the major differences between IELTS and OET exams.

S. No.	Criteria	OET	IELTS
1	Full-Form	Occupational English Test	International English Language Testing System
2	Conducting Authority	Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment Trust (CBLA)	British Council and IDP Education Ltd
3	Countries that Accept the Score	United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand (NZ), Ireland, Ukraine, Dubai, Singapore, and Namibia	Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States of America
4	Popular for	Healthcare sector	To study, work, and migrate to English-speaking countries
5	Exam Pattern	The entire OET Exam is divided into four sections - Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking	The IELTS exam pattern comprises four sections - Listening, Writing, Reading, and Speaking.
6	Type of Exam	12 versions for different healthcare professions like nurses, dentists, doctors, pharmacists, vets, radiographers, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, etc.	2 versions of the IELTS exam (Academic and General Training)
7	Exam Duration	170 Min.	165 Min. (2 Hrs and 45 Min.)
8	Type of Questions	Each part of the exam is related to real workplace scenarios for healthcare professionals	Every aspect of the test can be on a topic that may or may not be related to healthcare
9	Range of Exam Score	On a scale of A (Highest) to E (Lowest)	On a scale of 1 (lowest) to 9 (highest)
10	Exam Fees	AUD 587	INR 16,500
11	Exam Validity	2 years	2 years
12	Exam Test Dates	Available every month	Once a week
13	Availability of results	Varies as per the authorities	Written test: 13 days CBT: 3-5 days after your test

IELTS vs OET – Which is Easier?

The perception of difficulty varies based on individual strengths, backgrounds, and the specific requirements of each candidate. However, you can consider the following factors to choose the best one and most accessible for you.

Professional Background

OET - Healthcare professionals may find OET more tailored to their expertise, potentially making it more approachable.
IELTS - Individuals from various professions may find IELTS more accessible due to its general nature.

Contextual Relevance

OET - Healthcare practitioners may benefit from the contextual relevance of OET content to their daily professional activities.
IELTS - Candidates with diverse backgrounds may appreciate the variety of topics covered in IELTS, allowing for a more generalised preparation approach.

Writing Preferences

OET - Those comfortable with writing healthcare-related documents may find OET's writing tasks manageable.
IELTS - Individuals adept at report writing and essay composition may find IELTS writing tasks less challenging.

Assessing individual needs, goals, and preferences is essential when determining which test aligns better with personal circumstances.

People Also Like: IELTS Academic Reading Test

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing OET Exam vs IELTS depends on individual goals, professional background, and preferences. Healthcare professionals seeking specific assessments of their language proficiency in a medical context may find OET more suitable. In contrast, individuals with diverse goals and professions might lean towards the versatility of IELTS. Understanding the exam patterns and differences assists in making an informed decision that aligns with the individual's goal.

We hope the information shared in the blog will be useful to you in making an informed decision regarding IELTS vs OET. However, you can contact Prepare IELTS Exam (PI) expert counsellors if you seek guidance on test prep to study abroad. Our team of education experts is dedicated to providing you with the best guidance in the IELTS exam. You can get a one-on-one counselling session online via our platform. Contact us at info@prepareieltsexam.com or call us at +91 9773398388.

FAQs

Yes, candidates can take both tests based on their specific goals and requirements.

Both OET and IELTS are widely accepted for immigration purposes. It depends on the specific requirements of the immigration authorities in the destination country.

While healthcare experience is beneficial, it is not a strict requirement to take the OET. The test assesses language proficiency within a healthcare context.

The perceived difficulty may vary among individuals. Healthcare professionals may find OET more aligned with their expertise, while others may prefer the general nature of IELTS.

While some skills may be transferable, switching between OET and IELTS may require additional preparation due to differences in content and format. Candidates should carefully consider their decision before making a switch.