In global healthcare, strong English communication is more than a requirement—it is a lifeline. For doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other medical professionals who aim to migrate to countries like Australia, UK, Canada, and New Zealand, English fluency ensures safe patient care, accurate documentation, and effective teamwork.

Two major English proficiency tests dominate this space:
OET (Occupational English Test) and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).
While TOEFL tests general academic English, OET is designed specifically for healthcare professionals, making it more practical for clinical communication.

This revised guide breaks down the differences between OET and TOEFL using short paragraphs, bullet points, and tables so you can quickly choose the right test for your medical career.

What is OET? (Occupational English Test)

OET is a profession-specific English exam created for 12 healthcare fields, including:

• Medicine

• Nursing

• Pharmacy

• Dentistry

• Physiotherapy

• Radiography, and more

Why OET stands out

• Built using real medical materials like case notes, referral letters, clinical guidelines, and consultation audios.

• Helps test-takers practice communication they will actually use in workplaces.

• Accepted by major medical boards like GMC (UK), AHPRA (Australia), and regulatory bodies in New Zealand, Ireland, Singapore, and more.

OET Test Structure

• Listening: Healthcare consultations + lectures

• Reading: Medical articles, guidelines, patient info

• Writing: Referral/discharge letters based on case notes

• Speaking: Role-plays with simulated patients

OET Scoring

• Scores range A to E

• Grade B is typically required for registration (UK, Australia, NZ)

What is TOEFL? (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

TOEFL is a general academic English test accepted in 11,000+ universities.

Key Features of TOEFL

• Measures academic preparedness rather than clinical readiness.

• Often used for university admission, research programs, and professional licences (USMLE accepts TOEFL).

• Much broader coverage less medical-specific content.

TOEFL Test Structure

• Reading: University-level passages

• Listening: Academic lectures + conversations

• Speaking: Opinion-based and integrated tasks

• Writing: Integrated & independent essays

TOEFL Scoring

• Total: 0–120

• Min requirement for medical pathways varies (USMLE asks for 94+)

OET vs TOEFL: Quick Comparison Table

Which Test Is Better for Medical Professionals?

Advantages of OET

• Healthcare-specific

• Tests real workplace communication

• Higher confidence for clinical roles

• Directly recognized for nurse/doctor registration

• Writing and speaking match real hospital tasks

Limitations of OET

• More expensive

• Fewer test dates

• Not useful outside healthcare

Advantages of TOEFL

• Globally recognized

• Cheaper than OET

• Ideal for those pursuing research, MPH, or university programs

Limitations of TOEFL

• Not clinically relevant

• Speaking tasks don’t simulate medical communication

• Requires additional medical English learning

Preparation Tips

For OET

• Use medical English podcasts

• Practice with referral/discharge letters

• Role-play clinical scenarios

• Use targeted platforms like OETPro

• Study 30 minutes daily

• Build vocabulary:

  • “Anaphylaxis,” “differential diagnosis,” “polypharmacy,” etc.

For TOEFL

• Focus on academic reading strategies

• Practice integrated tasks (listening + speaking + writing)

• Use ETS official guides

• Read scientific journals like The Lancet

• Learn lecture note-taking techniques

Real-Life Examples

• Many doctors report that OET feels like real hospital communication, making it easier to perform well.

• Nurses find OET Speaking helpful because it trains empathy and patient interaction.

• Researchers or medical students often choose TOEFL for academic pathways.

Final Recommendation

Choose OET if:

• You want to work as a doctor or nurse in the UK, Australia, NZ, Ireland, Singapore, UAE, or Gulf.

• You prefer exam content closely related to your daily medical tasks.

Choose TOEFL if:

• You aim for research, academics, MPH, or university-based programs.

• You need a cheaper, widely accepted exam.

In 2025, with high competition in global healthcare, picking the right English test is a career accelerator. If you want a test designed for real medical practice, OET is the clear winner. For flexible academic pathways, choose TOEFL.