Occupational English Test (OET) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
These English language tests are accepted by both Irish Medical Council (IMC) and General Medical Council (GMC). Although many students are confused regarding which exam to choose, it depends on many factors. I will discuss similarities and differences in both exams, and after reading this, you will be able to choose which test suits you.
Similarities
- Both tests have the following four parts:
- Reading
- Listening
- Speaking
- Writing
- Both tests have almost the same grading criteria.
- Each test takes a similar time to prepare.
So, the question is, where is the difference? The following differences will decide which test you want to take.
Differences
- The first difference is that OET is a bit costly exam as compared to IELTS.
- OET specifically tests your Medical English, whereas IELTS judges your English in general.
- OET grades from A to E while IELTS grades from 1 to 9.
So why nowadays healthcare professionals are taking OET instead of IELTS? The answer is that instead of assessing your English in general, OET tests Medical English.
Healthcare professionals feel comfortable when Medical English is tested, so maximum doctors choose OET now as they use this English in their day-to-day tasks also. That is the only reason why the pass ratio of OET is high and has become a famous exam among doctors for few years.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, we concluded that both exams have their advantages and disadvantages. So, it depends on your dedication and capabilities that which exam fits you best.
Recommendations
Many health professionals now prefer and recommend OET, so I would also recommend you take OET. Although it is a costly exam once you get through it, the money you spent will never matter.
I will be discussing the preparation of OET in detail here:
OET (Occupational English Test)
How to prepare?
Visit the official website of OET and go through the website in detail. You will get free study material and useful masterclass videos, and paid courses from where you can prepare for your test. Secondly, join the official Facebook page of OET, where they conduct live sessions for preparation.
Official OET website
Official OET Facebook page
Official OET YouTube channel
Official Twitter Page
Two more resources to prepare for OET are.
These are the best resources from where you can prepare for OET. Join their social media, particularly the YouTube channel and Facebook pages of Swoosh and Jay, and go through the videos in detail. You don’t have to buy any course from them. Just watch videos and practice. If you are still unsure regarding your preparation, you must join their classes or buy material for practice. You can also find free study material. Just google it or join What’s App and Facebook groups of OET 
How to book your OET
- Visit the Official website of OET given above.
- Go to “BOOK” on the right upper corner.
- Click Book “OET on paper”.
- It will direct you to register online and make an account.
- Make your account by giving proper details and follow those steps to book your test. If you have any queries, click “HELP” on the bottom left corner of the website or contact them on Facebook. They are accommodating.
- You can also check test venues and test dates. Just visit this link.
https://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/test-information/test-dates-locations/
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
It is the world's biggest English language test, with test centers in most countries. I will not dig deep into IELTS as everyone is aware of IELTS, and there are multiple resources for IELTS preparation. Some of the best resources I will recommend if you are preparing for IELTS.
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Great blog!
I have a question. Please put light on the thing that our OET/IELTS should be valid on the date of online application, or on the date we finally get the registration?
Ideally it should be valid untill full registration. But please do contact IMC for confirmation. Thanks
[…] have a separate post comparing OET and IELTS and how to prepare for these […]
Dear Ammar!
Thanks for your suggestion! We will try to work on it soon.
Thank you!
My friend got B in all subsets, n 320 in reading( c +), is it acceptable for Ireland.
Unfortunately No !
Is pte acceptable to imc
Dear Dr this is paid service. Information on website is free to read. If you need answer to your query from team please subscribe to the package to get in contact.Thanks
Hi
I have two questions
Firstly
I am from iran , but graduated from pakistan ( mbbs plus house job )
I want to know am i also exempted from press ?
Secondly
i want to know , does IMC want our OET result in one attempt pas or if we fail one module , we can give that module again ?!
Regards
Dear Leila!
Yes you can apply registration from exemption pathway!
You need to clear OET with Bs in 1 attempt!
Thanks
i got C+ in reading and listening and B for speaking and writing,am i illegible for IMC as a GP,
Dear Irza!
I am sorry but you cant. Try to attempt OET again. You will get through it.
Thanks
Hi there,
I wanted to confirm whether Duolingo English language test is acceptable for registration with irish medical council or not.
waiting for your respose.
Dr Shoaib Hassan Gill
Dear Sohaib please refer to the Language guideline under topic of Step by Step guideline.
Thanks!
THANK YOU So much for the information. I would be much thankful to you if you please let me know, about exact documents , which are required for registration with Irish medical Counel.
So that i can start arranging them.
Thank you.
All documemts are listed on the main page. Go through each post to know all the steps in detail.
Mainly, you’ll need these to begin with
1. Medical Degree
2. IELTS/OET
3. Internship Certificate
4. Good Standing
How do we send the OET result to IMC, do we have to send it by email or by courier or just upload it on their website with our application?
You have to give access from your oet online account. give access to IMC from account. You can ask oet online chat how to give access from your account if you dont know.
Thanks
So we don’t have to notarise OET result and send them by courier?
Aoa
I have done housejob in preventive paediatrics along with gen medicine, general surgery and gynae & obs.
Will it be acceptable ??
All are fine but please do ask about preventive paediatrics from IMC. It is better to have only paediatrics written on certificate.
Thanks
I have an IELTS certificate with 7.5 bands overall and minimum 7 bands in each. But that IELTS is dated from Feb 2020. Due to Covid it has not been applied for any exam or application/registration. Can I still use it to apply for IMC registration??
Usually time is 2 years! I am sorry you have to take Language exam again.
Thanks
What’s the minimum required score for ìelts for registration of IMC??
Academic IELTS certificate (dated within the last two years) with an overall band score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 6.5 in each module in 1 sitting.
Thanks
hi
Im an Irish citizen, completed my education in Ireland til junior cert /o level, and did fsc and MBBS in Pakistan. Do I need to give IELTS or oet too?
Yes you will need English language test because your Degree is from pak
Is it true that those who are having grade c or above than this in o level English paper are exempted from oet?
Please read here on this link.
http://irishukdoc.com/step-by-step-guide-for-general-registration-of-irish-medical-council/
Thanks
I have given oet on 19 Dec 2020. My result cane out in 23 January 2021. Is there enough time I can apply for imc including epic verification. Also, does oet expires on the date you gave the test or on the result date?
Yea if you start applying now then you can get registration till January! You can request in email as well that give you registration before January because it will expire!
Exam date to exam date!
Thank you
Which type of ielts is required to work in ireland for doctors? Do they require ielts academic (simple) or ielts academic ukvi, or do they both work for ireland?
If ielts ukvi is selected for ireland, does it include ireland visa processing or is ukvi only for uk’s visa? Or is it strongly advised to do ielts academic (simple) for doctors who want to go to ireland with visa processing being done separately?
Ielts academic will work for both! Get that ! Other options are oet! Thanks
Hi! The name on my statement of results of oet is different from that of the passport, there is a different last name there. What can i do about it?
Try and request OET to correct it by showing passport! Thanks
Hi all,I need to know that is PTE exam of English language accepted to get registered with irish medical council instead of iELTS/OET?any help will be appreciated.thanks
This is the criteria of English Language!
https://www.medicalcouncil.ie/registration-applications/first-time-applicants/english-language.html
My house job is in general medicine 3 months, Emergency 3 months, general surgery 3 months and ophthalmology 3 months. Would it be accepted in Ireland? How much ielts /oet score do we need for Ireland? And how much duration is needed for preparation of oet/ielts?
Emergency medicine and ophthalmic surgery are words recommended by them then you are good to go! Thanks
How should i send my OET result to IMC. When i apply via oet, they ask to fill a form for that, and form asks to enter ecfmg id…what os that id?
Is there any other way to send oet result?
You send oet result with passport via post once you pay for your application!
Thanks
I have overall 7bands in ielts 8 in listening,7 in reading and 6 in speaking and writing is it eligible?
No ! you need 6.5 in each.
Hello,
I want to ask is OET computer based exam is acceptable or only paper based OET exam mode?
Thankyou
Get guidance from oet directly brother! I hope that will be fine ! Thanks
Mu question is after full registration email, we have to hunt for jobs online, then what will be the process of moving to ireland? Like job interviews will be online or in person? And how we will get visa?
Hunt for job. Interview on Skype. Then they will apply for your work permit and you apply for your visa.
OET valid till registration or till job joining?
Till job
Is there any age limit in Ireland to apply for GP job? I am 55
No age limit but they prefer young Drs mostly.
Hi ,
I need to know is PTE
accepted by imc for registration?
Unfortunately we have discontinued our free services. If you have any questions please refer to our packages to get expert advice on your questions. Thank you
dear ,
is the online oet test accepted by the Irish medical council?
Unfortunately we have stopped our free services. Info given here is still free to read. If you have queries please select our package and our team will answer that. Thanks
I have overall 7bands in ielts 8 in listening,7 in reading and 6 in speaking and writing is it eligible?
Do Irish medical council and GMC accept grade B in OET held in 2 sittings? Any help would be appreciated.
Dear Dr this is paid service. Information on website is free to read. If you need answer to your query from team please subscribe to the package to get in contact.Thanks