In today’s global healthcare system, English proficiency plays a crucial role for international doctors seeking registration in English-speaking countries. Exams such as OET Medicine and IELTS Academic act as essential gateways to regulatory bodies like the GMC (UK) and AHPRA (Australia).

While OET Medicine focuses on medical communication—including consultations, handovers, and documentation—IELTS Academic tests general academic English used across all fields.

Whether you’re an IMG from India aiming for the NHS or a specialist from the Middle East pursuing Australian registration, choosing the right exam can affect your timeline, confidence, and success.

At OETPro, we specialize in helping doctors excel in both tests with targeted preparation tools.

Understanding OET Medicine: A Profession-Specific Test

OET Medicine is designed exclusively for doctors. It evaluates how well you communicate in real healthcare environments.

Key Highlights

• Designed for medical scenarios only

• Duration: 3 hours

• Four sub-tests: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking

• Score Range: 0–500 (Grades A–E)

• Results: 16 business days

• Attempt modes: paper-based, computer-based, or online

• Required by GMC, AHPRA and other medical regulators

OET Listening (45 minutes, 42 questions)

Assesses how well doctors understand clinical communication.

Structure

Part A – Consultation Extracts (15 min, 24 questions)

• Note-taking from doctor–patient dialogues

• Question types: gap-fill, short-answer

• Simulates history-taking & diagnosis interactions

Part B – Workplace Extracts (15 min, 6 questions)

• Short audio clips from:

  • team meetings

  • clinical briefings

  • procedure explanations

• Focus: gist, purpose, inference

Part C – Presentations (15 min, 12 questions)

• Longer talks (e.g., seminars, conferences)

• Evaluates: opinions, attitudes, detailed comprehension

OET Reading (60 minutes, 42 questions)

Uses authentic medical texts such as guidelines, journal excerpts, care plans.

Structure

Part A – Expeditious Reading (15 min, 20 questions)

• Scan four short medical texts

• Question types: matching, completion, short-answer

Part B – Short Texts (Shared 45 min, 6 questions)

• Workplace-related texts (policies, memos)

• Focus: inference and detail

Part C – Long Texts (Shared 45 min, 16 questions)

• Two detailed articles (e.g., clinical studies)

• Focus: purpose, viewpoints, synthesis

OET Writing (45 minutes)

Write a 180–200-word letter based on medical case notes.

Types of OET Medical Letters

• Referral Letters: to specialists

• Discharge Letters: summaries for GPs

• Transfer Letters: inter-department communication

Assessed on

• Purpose

• Clinical accuracy

• Grammar

• Structure

• Clarity

OET Speaking (20 minutes)

Simulates doctor-patient interactions through role-plays.

Structure

• Warm-Up: short informal medical discussion

• Role-Plays (x2):

  • explaining diagnoses

  • counselling patients

  • discussing treatment plans

Skills Checked

• Fluency

• Pronunciation

• Empathy

• Communication strategies

Why doctors prefer OET: It mirrors real clinical scenarios, making it easier and more relevant.

Understanding IELTS Academic: A General English Test

IELTS Academic measures your overall academic English ability.

Key Features

• Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes

• Score: Band 0–9

• Topics from general academics, not medicine

• Results:

  • 3–13 days (paper)

  • 3–5 days (computer)

IELTS Listening (30+10 minutes, 40 questions)

Sections

1. Social Conversation

2. Monologue (everyday context)

3. Academic Discussion

4. Academic Lecture

Common Question Types

• Multiple-choice

• Note completion

• Flow-chart completion

• Matching

• Sentence completion

IELTS Reading (60 minutes, 40 questions)

Three long academic passages.

Question Types

• Multiple-choice

• True/False/Not Given

• Yes/No/Not Given

• Matching headings/sentence endings

• Summary completion

• Short-answer

IELTS Writing (60 minutes)

Task 1 (150 words)

Describe visuals:

• graphs

• charts

• maps

• diagrams

Task 2 (250 words)

Essay types:

• agree/disagree

• discuss both views

• advantages/disadvantages

• problem–solution

IELTS Speaking (11–14 minutes)

Three Parts

1. Short questions (personal topics)

2. Cue card (long turn)

3. Discussion (abstract questions)

IELTS builds general academic communication, but not medical interaction.

OET Medicine vs IELTS Academic: Comparison Table

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Acceptance & Score Requirements for Medical Registration (2025)

GMC (UK)

AHPRA (Australia)

Scores are valid for 2 years.

Pros and Cons: Which is Better for Doctors?

OET Medicine – Advantages

• Medical context ? easier for doctors

• Speaking & writing feel natural

• Higher success rates among IMGs

• Useful for daily practice

OET Medicine – Disadvantages

• More expensive

• Fewer test centers

• Limited test dates

IELTS Academic – Advantages

• Cheaper

• More test dates

• Globally available

• Useful for visas & universities

IELTS Academic – Disadvantages

• Topics unrelated to medicine

• Essays may feel irrelevant

• Listening accents may be difficult

Preparation Strategies with OETPro

To succeed, doctors should prepare strategically.

Recommended Approach

• Study for 4–8 weeks

• Practice daily medical vocabulary

• Take weekly mock tests

• Join IMG communities for guidance

How OETPro Helps

• Profession-specific OET modules

• AI-based essay and letter checking

• Role-play simulations for Speaking

• IELTS Academic essay correction tools

• Peer support forums for IMGs

Final Guidance: Which Test Should You Choose?

Choose OET Medicine if you:

• Prefer medical scenarios

• Want easier speaking/writing

• Need confidence during clinical communication

• Are applying to GMC/AHPRA/NZMC

Choose IELTS Academic if you:

• Want a cheaper option

• Need scores for visas or academic purposes

• Have strong general English skills

In 2025, with updated AHPRA rules, both tests are valid—but OET remains the more intuitive choice for most doctors.

At OETPro, we support your journey with tailored preparation designed exclusively for medical professionals.
Visit oetpro.com and take the next step in your global medical career.