Differences between the IELTS and the OET
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Requirements for the NMC
In order to work in the UK as a nurse or a midwife, you need to prove to the NMC that you are proficient in the English language. The NMC accepts three forms of language proof.
If you have a nursing or midwifery qualification in English, you do not need to take an extra language test, and the same goes if you have recently practised in an English-speaking country for more than one year.
If not, you will need to take an English language exam. This can be either the IELTS or the OET; you only need one of these.
Differences
Before discussing the differences between the IELTS and the OET, it is worth mentioning that there are two types of IELTS exam: IELTS General and IELTS Academic. You will need to take the IELTS Academic.
So how are the IELTS and OET different?
The IELTS and OET both test your English ability, and they both include 4 sections: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The difference is that the IELTS tests your overall ability to communicate in English, whereas the OET tests your ability to communicate in a healthcare setting. This means that the OET exam features healthcare-specific content such as understanding patients, conducting medical consultations and writing discharge and referral letters. The IELTS is more general and includes questions on lots of different topics which may not be related to healthcare.
Which one should you do?
Many of you will have already heard of the IELTS exam, and some of you may have even taken it. You may feel more comfortable with the IELTS as it might be more familiar to you. However, some students find the OET easier since they are tested on medical language and may already be familiar with some of the terms. Another factor to consider is that the IELTS is accepted in more places around the world than the OET, so if you are thinking of working in countries other than the UK, the IELTS may allow for more opportunities.
At IELTS Medical, we help you get started and support you every step of the way, whatever exam you choose to take. We have a number of fantastic courses, both in-person and online, tailored to your every need. If you would like to find out more about the IELTS, OET, and our training courses, please call us on 02036376722 or send an email to nurses@iemedical.co.uk.
