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Occupational English Test (OET) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

These English language tests are accepted by both the Irish Medical Council (IMC) and the 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:
  1. Reading
  2. Listening
  3. Speaking
  4. 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 take 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 most 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 a 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 spend 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 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.

  1. Swoosh English
  2. Jay E2 Language

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 

  1. Visit the Official website of OET given above.
  2. Go to “BOOK” in the right upper corner.
  3. Click Book “OET on paper”.
  4. It will direct you to register online and make an account.
  5. 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.
  6. You can also check test venues and test dates. Just visit this link.

 

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

It is the world’s biggest English language test, with test centres 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.

  1. Liz IELTS
  2. IELTS Advantage 
  3. IELTS Simon

Comments (48)

  1. Dr Bhatti
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    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?

    • IMGs in Ireland
      March 4, 2024 Reply

      Ideally it should be valid untill full registration. But please do contact IMC for confirmation. Thanks

  2. Saba
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    My friend got B in all subsets, n 320 in reading( c +), is it acceptable for Ireland.

    • IMGs in Ireland
      March 4, 2024 Reply

      Unfortunately No !

  3. Leila ziaee
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    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

    • IMGs in Ireland
      March 4, 2024 Reply

      Dear Leila!

      Yes you can apply registration from exemption pathway!
      You need to clear OET with Bs in 1 attempt!

      Thanks

  4. irza shamraiz
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    i got C+ in reading and listening and B for speaking and writing,am i illegible for IMC as a GP,

    • IMGs in Ireland
      March 4, 2024 Reply

      Dear Irza!

      I am sorry but you cant. Try to attempt OET again. You will get through it.

      Thanks

  5. Dr Shoaib Hassan Gill
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    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

    • IMGs in Ireland
      March 4, 2024 Reply

      Dear Sohaib please refer to the Language guideline under topic of Step by Step guideline.

      Thanks!

  6. Dr. Hira
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    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.

    • IMGs in Ireland
      March 4, 2024 Reply

      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

  7. Khalid
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    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?

    • IMGs in Ireland
      March 4, 2024 Reply

      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

  8. Dr Maryam
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    Aoa
    I have done housejob in preventive paediatrics along with gen medicine, general surgery and gynae & obs.
    Will it be acceptable ??

    • IMGs in Ireland
      March 4, 2024 Reply

      All are fine but please do ask about preventive paediatrics from IMC. It is better to have only paediatrics written on certificate.

      Thanks

  9. NAS
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    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??

  10. IMGs in Ireland
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    Usually time is 2 years! I am sorry you have to take Language exam again.
    Thanks

  11. Obaid
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    What’s the minimum required score for ìelts for registration of IMC??

    • IMGs in Ireland
      March 4, 2024 Reply

      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

  12. hajra
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    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?

    • IMGs in Ireland
      March 4, 2024 Reply

      Yes you will need English language test because your Degree is from pak

  13. Ibrahim
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    Is it true that those who are having grade c or above than this in o level English paper are exempted from oet?

  14. Muhammad haider
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    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?

    • IMGs in Ireland
      March 4, 2024 Reply

      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!

  15. Ayesha
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    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?

    • IMGs in Ireland
      March 4, 2024 Reply

      Ielts academic will work for both! Get that ! Other options are oet! Thanks

  16. Ammar
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    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?

    • IMGs in Ireland
      March 4, 2024 Reply

      Try and request OET to correct it by showing passport! Thanks

  17. Sohaima
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    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

  18. Tahira bano
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    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?

    • IMGs in Ireland
      March 4, 2024 Reply

      Emergency medicine and ophthalmic surgery are words recommended by them then you are good to go! Thanks

  19. Dr Seher
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    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?

    • IMGs in Ireland
      March 4, 2024 Reply

      You send oet result with passport via post once you pay for your application!
      Thanks

  20. Kumar
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    Hello,

    I want to ask is OET computer based exam is acceptable or only paper based OET exam mode?

    Thankyou

    • IMGs in Ireland
      March 4, 2024 Reply

      Get guidance from oet directly brother! I hope that will be fine ! Thanks

  21. Dr. Zaira Haider
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    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?

    • IMGs in Ireland
      March 4, 2024 Reply

      Hunt for job. Interview on Skype. Then they will apply for your work permit and you apply for your visa.

  22. Hanzla
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    OET valid till registration or till job joining?

  23. Hanzla.
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    OET valid till registration or till job joining?

    • IMGs in Ireland
      March 4, 2024 Reply

      Till job

  24. Sais Bano
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    Is there any age limit in Ireland to apply for GP job? I am 55

    • IMGs in Ireland
      March 4, 2024 Reply

      No age limit but they prefer young Drs mostly.

  25. Sohaima
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    Hi ,
    I need to know is PTE
    accepted by imc for registration?

  26. jessi
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    dear ,
    is the online oet test accepted by the Irish medical council?

  27. Rafia Masood
    March 4, 2024 Reply

    I have overall 7bands in ielts 8 in listening,7 in reading and 6 in speaking and writing is it eligible?

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