For healthcare professionals seeking to work or study in English-speaking countries, selecting the appropriate English proficiency test is a crucial decision. The Occupational English Test (OET) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are two of the most recognized options; yet, their differences spark a common question: Is the OET harder than the IELTS? 

As of August 2025, with updates to test formats and scoring, this debate remains relevant. Drawing from test-taker experiences and the latest developments, this article compares OET and IELTS, analyzing their structures, challenges, and suitability for healthcare professionals. 

Whether you're a nurse, doctor, physiotherapist, or pharmacist, understanding these exams will guide your preparation for your career path. Let's explore which test might be more challenging and why, based on real-world insights and current trends.

OET vs. IELTS: A Comprehensive Overview

Both OET and IELTS assess proficiency across four language skills—listening, reading, writing, and speaking—but their purposes and target audiences differ significantly, which impacts the perceived difficulty.

Occupational English Test (OET)

OET is tailored exclusively for 12 healthcare professions, including medicine, nursing, dentistry, and physiotherapy. Its design ensures candidates can communicate effectively in clinical settings, such as explaining diagnoses, writing referral letters, or collaborating with colleagues. 

In 2025, OET will expand its accessibility with more computer-based and at-home testing options, aligning with digital healthcare trends. The test uses real-world medical scenarios, making it highly relevant for those familiar with healthcare environments.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

IELTS serves a broader audience, catering to academic, professional, and immigration purposes. It offers two versions: Academic, for higher education and professional registration, and General Training, for immigration and non-academic work. 

Unlike OET, IELTS assesses general English proficiency across a range of diverse topics, from social issues to environmental debates, without a specific professional focus. 

In 2025, IELTS introduced enhanced digital interfaces for computer-based tests, enhancing the user experience while maintaining the core structure.

Key Distinctions

• Purpose: OET targets healthcare-specific communication; IELTS is versatile for various sectors.

• Content: OET focuses on medical contexts, while IELTS covers both everyday and academic topics.

• Recognition: OET is preferred by healthcare regulators (e.g., AHPRA in Australia, NMC in the UK); IELTS is widely accepted for education and immigration.

• Preparation Focus: OET requires a focus on medical vocabulary, while IELTS demands a broader range of language skills.

The experiences of these test-takers vary in difficulty, depending on their background and goals.

Detailed Comparison of Test Formats in 2025

Understanding the structure of each test is crucial for assessing its relative difficulty. Below is a breakdown of the four sub-tests, updated for 2025.

Listening Sub-Test

• OET Listening: Approximately 40 minutes, with three parts: consultations (e.g., doctor-patient dialogues), workplace extracts (e.g., team briefings), and presentations (e.g., medical lectures). Questions include note completion and multiple-choice, testing comprehension of medical terminology and patient interactions. Two thousand twenty-five updates include higher-quality audio with realistic hospital sounds, enhancing authenticity.

• IELTS Listening: 30-40 minutes, with four sections: two everyday conversations, a monologue, and an academic discussion. Topics are general, requiring no specialized knowledge. Questions range from gap-fills to multiple-choice. Recent updates improve accent variety, reflecting global English usage.

Test-Taker Insights: Healthcare professionals often find OET Listening easier due to familiarity with medical dialogues, but the pace and terminology can challenge non-IELTS speakers. IELTS's broader topics may feel more accessible to those with strong general English but less relevant for clinical roles.

Reading Sub-Test

• OET Reading: 60 minutes, divided into three parts. Part A (15 minutes) involves four short texts (e.g., patient notes, guidelines) with 20 quick-answer questions. Parts B and C (45 minutes combined) feature six short texts and two long articles, testing detailed comprehension and inference. 2025 will see more digital-friendly texts, such as electronic records.

• IELTS Reading: 60 minutes, with three sections. Academic IELTS uses complex texts (e.g., journal articles), while General Training includes simpler materials (e.g., advertisements, letters). Question types include matching, true/false, and sentence completion. Updates emphasize diverse global sources.

TestOET's Insights: OET's medical focus supports healthcare workers, but requires the quick processing of technical texts. The IELTS Academic can be daunting due to its dense prose, while the General Training is often perceived as easier but less relevant for professionals.

Writing Sub-Test

• OET Writing: 45 minutes, requiring one profession-specific letter (180-200 words), such as a physiotherapy referral or nursing discharge summary. Candidates must organize case notes into a clear, formal letter. Two thousand twenty-five updates include telehealth-related scenarios, reflecting modern practice.

• IELTS Writing: 60 minutes, with two tasks. Task 1 (Academic) involves describing a graph or chart; Task 1 (General Training) requires a letter. Task 2 is an essay for both versions. Topics are general, like education or technology.

Test-Taker Insights: OET Writing is often cited as the hardest due to its technical precision and time constraints. Test-takers struggle with structuring medical details concisely. IELTS Task 2 essays require a broader vocabulary and argumentation skills, which can be challenging for those who are less confident in general writing.

Speaking Sub-Test

• OET Speaking: 20 minutes, with two role-plays where candidates act as healthcare professionals, interacting with an interlocutor as a patient or colleague. Scenarios involve explaining treatments or addressing concerns. Two thousand twenty-five updates include culturally diverse role-plays that emphasize empathy.

• IELTS Speaking: 11-14 minutes, with three parts: a personal interview, a short talk, and a discussion on abstract topics. No professional context is required, with a focus on fluency and coherence.

Test-Taker Insights: OET Speaking feels natural for those accustomed to patient interactions, but non-native speakers may struggle with medical dialogue or English. IELTS's general topics suit those with conversational ease but can be vague for healthcare-focused candidates.

Scoring and Evaluation in 2025: Key Differences

Scoring systems influence perceived difficulty and preparation strategies.

OET Scoring

OET scores each sub-test from 0-500, mapped to letter grades (A-E):

• A (450-500): Near-native proficiency.

• B (350-440): High proficiency, suitable for most healthcare registrations.

• C+ (300-340): Moderate proficiency, accepted by some bodies.

• C (200-290): Limited proficiency.

• D/E (0-190): Inadequate for professional practice.

In 2025, OET introduced an overall numerical score (sum of sub-tests) for holistic evaluation, aiding recruiters like the UK's GMC, which typically require B grades. Evaluation focuses on medical accuracy, clarity, and empathy, especially in writing and speaking.

IELTS Scoring

IELTS uses a 0-9 band scale, averaged across sub-tests:

• Band 9: Expert user.

• Band 8: Excellent user.

• Band 7: Good user, often required for academic or immigration purposes.

• Band 6 and below: Varying degrees of limited proficiency.

Two thousand twenty-five updates refine band descriptors for clarity. Evaluation emphasizes vocabulary range, grammar accuracy, coherence, and fluency, with no healthcare focus.

Key Scoring Differences

• Context: OET assesses medical communication; IELTS tests general skills.

• Precision: OET demands technical accuracy; IELTS prioritizes broad expression. OET's B grade aligns with IELTS's needs; IELTS's 7+ suits academic/immigration goals.

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OET's stakeholders note that OET's scoring feels stricter due to its specialized nature, but IELTS's broader scope can challenge those unfamiliar with diverse topics.

Test-Taker Experiences: Which Is Harder?

Feedback from 2025 candidates highlights varied perceptions:

• Healthcare Professionals (e.g., Nurses, Doctors): Many find OET easier because its medical focus aligns with their expertise. A nurse fr OET shared, "OET's scenarios were like my daily work—writing referrals felt natural." The Howesub test's writing sub-test's precision and time limits are frequent pain points.

• Non-Medical Candidates: Those without healthcare backgrounds often prefer the IELTS, as its general topics are more familiar to them. A student aiming for university admission noted, "IELTS Academic didn't touch, but I didn't need medical jargon, which made prep easier."

• Language Proficiency: Non-native speakers with strong medical knowledge tend to lean toward OET, as general English in IELTS (e.g., essay writing) can feel abstract. Conversely, fluent speakers with weaker medical vocabulary struggle with OET's terminology.

• Preparation Time: OET requires focused medical English practice, often quicker for professionals (2-3 months). IELTS demands broader skills, potentially lengthening prep for specialized candidates.

Data from 2025 shows that OET pass rates for healthcare workers hover around 75% for first attempts, while Academic's IELTS pass rates for similar cohorts are 65%. This suggests that OET's relevance aids success.

Choosing the Right Test for You in 2025

Your choice depends on career goals, English proficiency, and comfort with medical contexts. You're OET If:

• You're a HealthcaOET's professional: OET's relevance to roles like nursing or physiotherapy makes preparation intuitive. Regulatory bodies in Australia, the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, and others prioritize OET for registration.

• Medical English Is Your Strength: Familiarity with clinical terms and scenarios gives you an edge.

• OET's Limited: OET's focused content can streamline preparation, especially with resources like oetpro.com, which offers free practice tests tailored to the healthcare sector.

Opt for IELTS If:

• You Need Versatility: IELTS suits non-healthcare careers, academic pursuits, or immigration (e.g., Canada's Express Entry).

• General English is Stronger: Comfort with diverse topics makes IELTS manageable.

• You've Taken It Before: With IELTS's structure, it reduces prep time.

Practical Considerations

• Cost and Availability: In 2025, OET's expanded testing options (paper, computer-based) match IELTS's accessibility, but costs vary by region—check oetpro.com for preparation savings.

• Recognition: Verify the requirements with your target institution or regulatory body. Some accept both, but OET is often preferred for healthcare.

Preparation Tips for 2025

• OET: Focus on medical vocabulary, practice role-plays, and write sample letters. Use oetpro.com for free, profession-specific mocks to simulate 2025 formats.

• IELTS: Build a broad vocabulary, practice essay writing, and listen to varied accents. Mix general and academic prep for flexibility.

• General: Take diagnostic tests to assess strengths, practice daily (1-2 hours), and simulate exam conditions. Join study groups for motivation.

Determining whether OET is harder than IELTS in 2025 hinges on your background and goals. OET's healthcare-specific focus makes it more accessible for medical professionals, despite challenges in writing. 

IELTS's broader scope suits diverse needs but can feel less relevant for clinical roles. Test-taker experiences emphasize preparation as the key differentiator—leveraging resources like oetpro.com can boost OET readiness with free, targeted practice.

Assess your strengths, align with your career path, and commit to consistent study to succeed in either test, opening doors to global opportunities.