You must have heard or read about some of the international tests which are considered standards for testing the English proficiency of the applicants, among which IELTS and OET are major exams taken by thousands of people. Although both these tests have the main aim of monitoring the communication skills of students in English, some aspects distinguish them from one another.
The main difference between the two language proficiency tests IELTS and OET is that IELTS is developed for evaluating skills in academic English, while OET is particularly designed for evaluating English skills in the medical field and public health.
In this piece of writing, I have mentioned all the major factors that will make you familiar with the differences in both tests. Moreover, it will help you decide whether you should opt for IELTS or begin preparing for OET. Here’s hoping that you find this blog post useful while applying for the test and visa.
8 Main Differences Between IELTS And OET:-
➥ Content And Context:
When it comes to the content and material of both exams, they create a prominent and significant distinction between the International English Language Testing System and Occupational English Test.
IELTS is a test conducted by Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment Trust or CBLA for testing the level of academic English. It is important for entry into several international universities or for pursuing a particular career that candidates prefer.
On the other hand, the OET exam includes the four subtests, that is, Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking particularly to test the English language skills of medical students and professionals. These include physicians, nurses, dentists, veterinary doctors, genetic engineers, and others who have chosen a medical field.
Hence, while preparing for this exam you will only have to pay attention to the guides and videos based on medical scenarios or situations in a hospital setting. For instance, experts design thorough and complete guides for nurses so that they can learn communication and get comfortable with speaking, writing, and reading English well while dealing with the staff and patients.
Therefore, the content of the IELTS exam is not limited and restricted to a specific field, whereas the questions in the OET are specific to one discipline, that is, public care and service.
➥ Scope And Purpose:
IELTS allows the lucky individuals who pass the test to select from a variety of professions such as teaching. Moreover, it makes it possible for the students who travel to foreign countries to select certain courses based on their capabilities.
IELTS is also important when you have to submit the information and documents for visa and immigration since the result sheet supports the whole procedure and facilitates smooth functioning. For example, IELTS is a part of the Secure English Language Test. The government of the UK approves this test for supporting visas and other related applications.
Not only this, but also it opens the door for numerous opportunities in public health care, since it is devised by some regulatory authorities and accepted by main medical councils working in the United Kingdom and United States of America such as the Nursing And Midwifery Council or NMC as well as General Medical Council or GMC.
Hence, one cannot deny the importance of this test in education where several renowned universities and colleges are willing to take you as their student, business, professional life, and daily life where one has to interact with others in English.
When it comes to the scope and benefits of OET, it is necessary to pass the exam by scoring the required marks in all the subsections to begin working as a nurse or health care professional in a foreign state or region. Acing this test ensures that you are skilled in communicating in English and helps you get registered by the medical bodies and organizations.
Not only this but passing the test makes you eligible for acquiring the Educational Commission For Foreign Medical Graduates award and certification. This title is significant for the students who are considering travelling to America to apply for jobs in the health sector and improve their expertise and experience.
Furthermore, you will qualify for multiple kinds of programs and courses and get the rights for residency offered by a major organization Accreditation Council For Graduate Medical Education ACGME.
Hence, one can say that both are significant to enter various areas. However, IELTS involves a wider range of possibilities and disciplines, unlike OET which spans medical studies.
➥ Varieties Of Both Tests:
Students who are interested in booking the IELTS exam will notice that there are two types of this exam. These include General Training and Academic Training. One can choose any of these categories.
The General Training assessment test focuses on English vocabulary used on routine and normal days and includes questions about non-academic language. On the other hand, the Academic exam includes the topics required for entering any educational institution or applying for a job in a facility.
The exam developers have divided OET into 12 different subcategories or disciplines, which makes it convenient for a medical student or doctor to book an exam according to the field. Thus, the grouping for OET is more specific than that for the IELTS test.
These categories include doctors, dentists, nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists, podiatrists, optometrists, speech pathologists, vets, physiotherapists, dieticians, and radiographers.
➥ Way Of Grading:
For IELTS, the test assessors mark the answers out of nine and each paper has a separate score to indicate your degree of skill in the English language. From 1 to 9, each score in a band represents your efficacy. Students either score in whole numbers such as 8, or decimals, such as 7.5 and 8.5.
Out of 9, 7 is considered an excellent score in each test and leads to good results. It is the minimum requirement to pass the test as well, while the overall marks should be at least 7.5. Thus, students strive for this score while learning day and night for the exam.
To know more about IELTS score and calculations click here.
On the other hand, the major system in OET for marking is extended grading which starts from A and ends with E. With each grade, there is a range of numerical figures to indicate the grade of students.
The minimum requirement that allows the participants of the test to pass it is achieving a B grade in four subtests in a single attempt. If one fails to get this grade in any of the categories, that person has to retake the OET to improve.
To use the OET grading calculator click here.
➥ Recognition Of Tests:
OET is recognized and approved by the regulatory standards and councils dealing with the disciplines related to medicine such as nursing and dentistry. These bodies are functioning in several countries and states such as the UK, India, Canada, the US, New Zealand, Australia, Dubai, Singapore, Ireland, and Ukraine. Some examples of such bodies are GMC and NMC which are functional in Ireland and the UK.
In contrast, many institutions and organizations recognize this test as proof of a participant’s English proficiency and excellence. These include universities, colleges, medical bodies and councils, authorities concerned with legal immigration as well as several companies working worldwide. One of the examples is in the UK and Australian immigration bodies.
➥ Level Of Difficulty Of IELTS And OET:
In terms of difficulty level, both English tests IELTS and OET are somewhat challenging to solve and you need to spend sufficient time to prepare and get yourself ready for the main test. However, some factors create variation in these levels for both exams.
One can assume that OET is a bit simpler to solve and thus it is a bit easier to solve the queries in a test as compared to IELTS. It is because it is mainly focused on the medical scenarios and vocabulary which are specifically designed for physicians and nurses.
On the other hand, IELTS involves the content and questions for numerous topics other than those related to public health and medicine. Due to this reason, many doctors and medical students have the idea in their minds that it will be easier for them to ace OET in one attempt.
However, one cannot give this statement confidently about these English exams that OET will always be a piece of cake and IELTS will require more effort and attention to solve. It is because the main factors that govern the difficulty level are the student’s proficiency and skills in English as well as the preparation.
Furthermore, since both tests are taken as a standard for studying, researching, and working in foreign countries, the exam designers prepare the content carefully with maximum effort. It allows precise evaluation of the communication ability of applicants via marking their answers.
➥ Preparation:
When it comes to getting ready for IELTS and OET, both have different needs. Though they both will check your skills in English, there are some underlying distinguishing aspects for improving your expertise in both tests. Hence, the methods to prepare for them will also be different.
Both require weeks to adequately prepare an immense effort. In case you spend a considerable amount of time learning for one test, it is recommended to avoid discarding the effort and shifting to the preparation for the other since both have separate materials and guides for this purpose.
When it comes to the preparation material and options, they are broader for IELTS to cover all the major dimensions of the English language than OET. You will easily find a lot of free material including videos, free courses, online and home tuition, webinars, and guides for IELTS.
On the other hand, there is a restricted range of reliable and authentic preparation sources for going through the OET exam, be it free online or offline books and classes for improving the English of students.
Moreover, if you compare the number of applicants per year for both exams, the students for IELTS are in the millions, while those who are considering booking OET are in the thousands. It makes IELTS more popular than the latter.
➥ Price And Availability Of Both Tests:
For OET, you will find a few dates in a year to book an exam. In contrast, there are more options for taking the IELTS which makes it more convenient for people to select a particular date and time which suits them.
In terms of price, the cost of booking the OET is more as compared to IELTS, which is available at a cheaper cost. Therefore, it takes more effort to successfully register yourself for the OET exam.
Contrast Between OET And IELTS In Tabular Form:-
| Aspect | IELTS | OET |
|---|---|---|
| Content | Academic English and vocabulary | Grammar and situations in the medical field |
| Scope | Universities, colleges, immigration, public health | Courses related to public health, nursing, and other medical professions |
| Varieties | General Training and Academic Training | Nursing, Optometry, Veterinary Science, Occupational Therapy, etc. |
| Grading method | Numerical (out of 9) | Grades starting from A and ending with E |
| Recognition of tests | Companies, medical councils, immigration authorities, and educational institutions | Medical organizations, educational institutions |
| Purpose | Evaluating skills in overall English language and comprehension | Evaluating communication skills in hospitals and public health care facilities |
| Price | Less costly | More costly |
| Availability | Numerous dates available | Fewer dates for test-taking |
Final Thoughts:-
Both OET and IELTS are approved by several foreign medical councils and educational institutions and allow you to take the courses of your choice and work in English-speaking areas. However, some aspects separate them from each other, and being aware of them is extremely beneficial in identifying the test which is best suited to your requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions About OET And IELTS:-
Is an IELTS score of 6.5 good?
A score of 6.5 in IELTS is regarded as competent by the test assessors and is not a good score for passing this test.
Do questions in IELTS repeat?
There is a possibility during the speaking subtest that an applicant does not get the question the first time. There is permission to ask to clarify the confusion. However, one cannot ask repeatedly for a better explanation.
Is OET valid for 3 years?
Generally, the license for OET is valid for 2 years after which the certificate expires.
