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From Ward to Classroom: A Nurse’s Perspective on IELTS vs OET

September 22, 2026

From Ward to Classroom: A Nurse’s Perspective on IELTS vs OET

Healthcare professionals commonly move abroad for career progression and to experience other countries and cultures. Before securing that dream job though, they must obtain a licence to practise in their chosen country. This rigorous process almost always includes a language proficiency test.

This blog post will solely consider the two most common and widely recognised tests; International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) and Occupational English Test (OET).

 

1. What English score is needed for licensure?

First and foremost, it is essential to identify which tests are accepted by the licensing board in your desired country. Each professional body provides this information on its website and this is updated regularly. Take, for example, the UK, both the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) and the General Medical Council (GMC) accept IELTS and OET as proof of English proficiency. Check out each of the links for further information.

2. Key Features of IELTS & OET

IELTS

  • Offers two different tests: General and Academic English. Healthcare professionals will likely need the Academic test for licensing, but always confirm with the relevant professional body first.
  • Candidates are assessed on four language skills (sub-tests): Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening.
  • Results are reported on a 9-band scale, including a band score for each of the four skills and an overall band score, all between 1 to 9.
  • IELTS assesses general English across a range of academic topics that aren’t relevant to healthcare. It also includes skills like developing persuasive arguments and analysing data.
  • The test is widely recognised by English teachers globally, making it easy to find teachers and resources for efficient preparation.
  • Preparation costs can vary significantly, depending on the expertise of the teacher or language school but many online resources are available for free.
  • Overall, the IELTS exam is generally cheaper than the OET.

OET

  • Specifically designed for 12 healthcare professional groups, including nursing, medicine, and allied health.
  • Also tests the four language skills (sub-tests): Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening.
  • Results are assigned on a scale from 0-500 and are mapped against letter grades from A (highest) to E (lowest). Each of the four sub-tests receives a score. From January 2025, OET also offer an overall test score similar to IELTS.
  • Uses real-life clinical scenarios, making the content relatable for healthcare professionals.
  • OET preparation falls under English for Specific Purposes (ESP). As this approach may be new to general English educators, particularly those without a clinical background, it is worth exploring specialised resources to bridge the gap.
  • The assessment criteria is based on authentic communication in the healthcare setting, including appropriateness of language, intelligibility, relationship building and understanding patients’ perspectives.

3. Choosing the Best Test Option

Clear and effective communication is the cornerstone of safe and high-quality patient care. To explore this further, take a look at the NHS Elect’s Seven C’s of Communication which provides a great framework not only for clinical practice but also for UK job interview preparation.

Despite staff’s best efforts, communication breakdowns can occur due to language barriers, therefore, choosing the right exam is vital. In my experience of coaching students who prepare for both exams, I believe the OET exam is the best choice for healthcare staff. Its preparation and exam materials closely align with healthcare contexts, allowing candidates to learn whilst simultaneously preparing effectively for their new jobs. There is a brilliant study, Stakeholders’ perceptions of the Occupational English Test (OET): An exploratory study about the OET exam and staff readiness for the workplace, which is I recommend reading.

4. Preparing for an English Test

Many candidates with good English skills assume they don’t need any test preparation as they’re already confident using the language. This common assumption, however, can be misleading. IELTS and OET both have a specific assessment format that candidates must familiarise themselves with before taking the exam.

Mastering the test can happen through:

  • Targeted skill lessons with a specialised teacher that focus on the four sub-tests.
  • Personalised writing tutorials and feedback that refine writing skills.
  • Addressing weak grammar and pronunciation points.
  • Conducting mock tests for all four sub-tests.
  • Utilising YouTube videos, social media posts and various helpful websites.

A common error in the OET is candidates relying on their clinical knowledge to answer questions, when the test is specifically designed to avoid this possibility. This mistake can result in incorrect answers and a loss of valuable marks.

5. Finding Preparation Help

I offer various online lessons tailored to your learning needs and my experience in this field is extensive. If you’re unable to commit to online lessons right now please still reach out for advice, my inbox is always open.

Thanks for reading.

Roisin – Medical English Teacher