In the rapidly evolving healthcare sector, where precise communication can mean the difference between life and death, English proficiency tests are crucial for international healthcare workers seeking registration abroad. 

The Occupational English Test (OET) stands out as a specialized exam tailored to 12 healthcare professions, including nursing, medicine, physiotherapy, and pharmacy. In contrast, general English tests like IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, and TOEFL iBT assess broader language skills through non-specific topics. 

With global mobility on the rise—driven by shortages in countries like Australia and the UK—choosing between OET and these general tests is crucial for efficient career progression. 

As of 2025, regulatory bodies have updated their standards to offer more flexibility; however, OET's healthcare-centric approach often proves more intuitive for professionals handling patient interactions, medical reports, and team collaborations.

This article explores OET and general English tests in depth, comparing their formats, subtypes, and suitability for healthcare workers. At OETPro, we provide expert guidance and resources to help you navigate these exams seamlessly. 

Whether you're a nurse from the Philippines targeting Australia's AHPRA or a doctor from Pakistan aiming for the UK's GMC, understanding these options empowers informed decisions. Let's examine why OET might edge out general tests for healthcare suitability.

Understanding OET: The Specialized Test for Healthcare Professionals

OET Pty Ltd administers OET and focuses on real-world healthcare scenarios, making it highly relevant for workers in clinical settings. 

Available in paper-based, computer-based, or online formats, the test lasts about 3 hours and costs around $455 USD. Scores range from 0 to 500 per sub-test, graded A (450–500) to E (below 200), with validity lasting 2 years. 

Results are issued in 16 business days. OET's four sub-tests—Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking—are tailored to specific professions, ensuring that language skills align with job demands, such as explaining diagnoses or writing referrals.

OET Listening Sub-Test

This 45-minute section (comprising 42 questions) assesses auditory comprehension in medical contexts, utilizing audio recordings from consultations and lectures.

• Part A: Consultation Extracts (15 minutes, 24 questions): Note-taking from two doctor-patient or nurse-client dialogues (e.g., symptom discussions). Subtypes include gap-fill (completing sentences with exact words) and short-answer questions, testing detail retention for accurate handovers.

• Part B: Short Workplace Extracts (15 minutes, six questions): Multiple-choice on six brief clips, such as team briefings or training sessions (e.g., infection protocols). Subtypes focus on gist (main idea), purpose (speaker intent), and inference (implied meaning), mirroring multidisciplinary meetings.

• Part C: Presentation Extracts (15 minutes, 12 questions): Multiple-choice on two extended talks, like research seminars. Subtypes assess opinions, attitudes, and a detailed understanding, essential for professional development.

OET Reading Sub-Test

A 60-minute test (42 questions) using authentic healthcare texts like journal articles and guidelines.

• Part A: Expeditious Reading (15 minutes, 20 questions): Rapid scanning of four short texts (e.g., patient notes, drug labels). Subtypes: matching (pairing info), sentence completion, and short-answer, simulating quick info retrieval in busy wards.

• Part B: Careful Reading – Short Texts (45 minutes shared with Part C, six questions): Multiple-choice on six excerpts (e.g., policy memos). Subtypes test inference, detail, and vocabulary in context, like understanding ethical guidelines.

• Part C: Careful Reading – Long Texts (45 minutes shared, 16 questions): In-depth analysis of two articles (e.g., from medical journals). Subtypes evaluate synthesis (combining ideas), viewpoints, and purpose, aiding evidence-based practice.

OET Writing Sub-Test

45 minutes to produce a 180–200-word letter based on profession-specific case notes (e.g., nursing discharge summary or medical referral).

• Referral Letters: Outlining patient details and specialist needs, with subtypes emphasizing urgency and clinical rationale.

• Discharge Letters: Summarizing care and advice, subtypes focusing on patient education and follow-up.

• Transfer/Advice Letters: For internal handovers or colleague guidance, subtypes stressing clarity and empathy.

Graded intentionally, this assessment evaluates content, grammar, and organization, replicating real-world documentation tasks.

OET Speaking Sub-Test

20 minutes of role-plays with an interlocutor, tailored to the profession (e.g., explaining procedures to patients).

• Warm-Up (2–3 minutes): Informal discussion on healthcare topics.

• Role-Play 1 and 2 (5 minutes each): Scenario-based interactions, subtypes assessing fluency, pronunciation, lexical resources, and grammatical accuracy while building rapport.

OET's immersion in healthcare jargon makes it more suitable than general tests for practical application.

Understanding General English Tests: Broad Assessments for Diverse Fields

General tests like IELTS, PTE, and TOEFL evaluate academic English without healthcare specificity, often making them feel abstract for medical professionals. IELTS (British Council/IDP/Cambridge) is a 2.75-hour test, scored on a 0–9 band scale, and costs approximately $250 USD. Results are available within 3–13 days.

PTE (Pearson) is a 2-hour, computer-based test, scored 10–90, and costs approximately $220 USD. Results are available within 48 hours. TOEFL iBT (ETS) is 2 hours, scored 0–120, ~$255 USD, and results in 4–8 days. All valid for 2 years.

IELTS Academic Sub-Tests

• Listening (30 minutes + 10 transfer, 40 questions): Four sections—social conversation, monologue, academic discussion, lecture. Subtypes: multiple-choice, note/sentence completion, matching, labelling diagrams.

• Reading (60 minutes, 40 questions): Three passages. Subtypes: multiple-choice (single/multiple), identifying info (T/F/NG), matching headings/features, completion tasks, short-answer.

• Writing (60 minutes): Task 1 (150 words, describe visuals like graphs); subtypes: charts, processes. Task 2 (250 words, essay); subtypes: opinion, discussion, problem-solution.

• Speaking (11–14 minutes): Part 1 (intro/topics), Part 2 (cue card monologue), Part 3 (abstract discussion). Subtypes test fluency, vocabulary, and grammar.

PTE Academic Sub-Tests

Integrated format emphasizes efficiency.

• Speaking & Writing (54–67 minutes): Read aloud (pronunciation), repeat sentence, describe image (subtypes: graphs, pictures), re-tell lecture, short questions, summarize text, essay (subtypes: argumentative, opinion).

• Reading (29–30 minutes): Multiple-choice (single/multiple), re-order paragraphs, fill blanks (reading/writing subtypes: drag-drop, select).

• Listening (30–43 minutes): Summarize spoken text, multiple-choice, fill blanks, highlight summary/words, select missing word.

TOEFL iBT Sub-Tests

Focuses on university settings.

• Reading (35 minutes, 20 questions): 2 passages. Subtypes: multiple-choice, insert text, summarize.

• Listening (36 minutes, 28 questions): Lectures/conversations. Subtypes: multiple-choice, categorize.

• Speaking (16 minutes, four tasks): Integrated (read/listen/speak), independent opinion. Subtypes: summarize, express views.

• Writing (29 minutes, two tasks): Integrated (read/listen/write), independent essay. Subtypes: response, argument.

General tests build versatile skills but may require additional effort to adapt to healthcare settings.

OET vs General English Tests: A Comparative Overview

This table illustrates OET's niche appeal in comparison to the accessibility of general tests.

Acceptance and Score Requirements for Healthcare Registration

As of 2025, requirements vary by body and profession.

For AHPRA (Australia): Accepts OET, IELTS, PTE, and TOEFL. OET: L/R/S B (350+), W C+ (300+). IELTS: Overall 7, W 6.5, others 7. PTE: 65 overall, each 65. TOEFL: 94 overall, W 24, others 27/24/23.

For NMC (UK, nurses/midwives): OET and IELTS only. OET: L/R/S B, W C+. IELTS: Overall 7, W 6.5, others 7. Combined sittings allowed within 12 months.

For GMC (UK, doctors): OET and IELTS. OET: All B (350+). IELTS: Overall 7.5, with each component at 7.

OET's acceptance underscores its suitability.

Pros and Cons: Suitability for Healthcare Workers

OET Pros: Context-specific, reduces prep time; builds confidence in professional language; higher pass rates for healthcare pros. 

Cons: Costlier, less frequent.

General Tests Pros: Cheaper, faster results, more centers; versatile for non-healthcare paths. 

Cons: Generic content may not be tailored to medical nuances; a steeper learning curve is required for jargon.

OET is generally more suitable for direct applicability in healthcare roles.

Preparation Strategies with OETPro

Effective prep bridges the gap. At OETPro, our tailored courses include mock tests and feedback for OET's subtypes. For general tests, OETPro offers adaptive modules. Join OETPro's community for profession-specific tips and guidance. Dedicate 4–8 weeks: focus on healthcare vocab via OETPro resources.

OET's Edge for Healthcare Excellence

For healthcare workers, OET's specialized design makes it more suitable than general tests, as it closely aligns with daily demands and eases registration. While IELTS, PTE, and TOEFL offer flexibility, OET shines in relevance. At OETPro, we're committed to your success—visit oetpro.com for expert support.