IELTS vs OET vs PTE. Which one is best for Nurses?

English language proficiency is gauged by various tests. Many nurses get a common question in their mind regarding these tests. That is, which test suits me best?

Being a nurse by profession, I too had this question in mind. So I planned to clear the doubts of other readers of this blog. As you all know there are many different tests to prove your English language skills, and the most common tests are IELTS, OET and PTE. When we closely look at these tests, they are alike in many ways. But the difficulty index changes as per the question being asked in each module. All of these three tests score your language skills in 4 modules, namely Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.

Before you choose a test of English language assessment you have to decide a few things in advance. First and foremost, decide or identify the country to which you want to migrate. Secondly, note down the English language tests accepted in your preferred country of migration as well as nursing registration. Thirdly, determine the preferred scores for migration. Finally, learn about the difficulty level of all the tests available for you and choose an easy test for you to get closer to your dream. Once you have done with these baseline checks you are good to start with preparation. Here I will discuss these preliminary checks mentioned above and help you to identify your preferred test.

Which Country?

Many English speaking countries require the migrants to prove their English language skills before they migrate or get a job in that country. Britain, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada and the USA are at the top of that list. Remember to check the lifestyle you are looking forward to in that country, and also identify the financial requirements for relocation. Since every individual has their personal views I am not going to tell which country is the best for migration. So do your research to know more about each country before finalizing your choice.

Which Test?

Among the most common three English language tests, some tests are universally accepted whereas some tests are familiar in some places only. So here is the list of English language skill assessment tests and accepted countries:

IELTS	OET	PTE
UK	Ireland	Australia
USA	Australia	USA
Canada	New Zealand
Ireland	UK
Australia	USA
New Zealand	Ukraine
	Dubai
	Singapore
	Namibia

What Score?

Each country set its own guidelines for allowing nurses to register in their respective nursing councils. Here is the list of English language requirements as per the latest guidelines available in June 2020.

UK	IELTS - Academic Writing - 6.5 Reading, Speaking, Listening - 7 Overall - 7 Combining IELTS test scores You can achieve the required mark across two test sittings if: you sit the tests within six months of each other you’re tested in all four sections at the same time all scores in both sittings are above 6.5, and you achieve at least 6.5 in the writing section and at least 7 in the reading, listening and speaking sections in either of the two test sittings.
	OET for Nurses Writing - C+ Reading, Speaking, Listening - B Overall - B Combining OET test scores You can achieve the required mark across two test sittings if: you sit the tests within six months of each other you’re tested in all four sections at the same time all grades in both sittings are above grade C+, and you achieve at least a grade C+ in the writing section and at least a grade B in the reading, listening and speaking sections in either of the two test sittings.
USA	IELTS - Academic Speaking - 7 Reading, Writing, Listening - 6.5 Overall - 6.5
	PTE - Academic is accepted in 12 states in the USA. Writing, Reading, Speaking, Listening - 50  Overall - 55  Click here to check the list of states accepting PTE.
	OET For Nurses Oregon - At least Grade B in all 4 modules Florida - At least Grade C+ in all 4 modules
Canada	IELTS - Academic Listening - 7.5 Reading - 6.5 Writing, Speaking - 7 Overall - 7
Ireland	IELTS - Academic Writing - 6.5 Reading, Speaking, Listening - 7 Overall - 7
	OET for Nurses Writing - C+ (300-340) Reading, Speaking, Listening - B (350-450) Overall - B (350-450)
Australia	IELTS - Academic Writing, Reading, Speaking, Listening - 7 Overall - 7 Combining IELTS test scores You can achieve the required mark across two test sittings if: you sit the tests within six months of each other you achieve a minimum overall score of 7 in each sitting, and you achieve a minimum score of 7 in each component across the two sittings, and  no score in any component of the test is below 6.5
	OET for Nurses Writing, Reading, Speaking, Listening - B Overall - B Combining OET test scores You can achieve the required mark across two test sittings if: you sit the tests within six months of each other you’re tested in all four sections at the same time you achieve a minimum score of B in each component across the two sittings, and no score in any component of the test is below C.
	PTE Academic Writing, Reading, Speaking, Listening - 65 Overall - 65 Combining PTE scores You can achieve the required mark across two test sittings if: you sit the tests within six months of each other a minimum overall score of 65 is achieved in each sitting, and you achieve a minimum score of 65 in each of the communicative skills across the two sittings, and no score in any of the communicative skills is below 58.
New Zealand	IELTS - Academic Writing, Reading, Speaking, Listening - 7 Overall - 7 Combining IELTS test scores You can achieve the minimum score in the English language tests over more than one sitting, however the required score must be met within 12 months of first sitting the test, and less than three years old when your CGFNS report is submitted to the Nursing Council.
	OET for Nurses Writing, Reading, Speaking, Listening - B Overall - B Combining OET test scores You can achieve the minimum score in the English language tests over more than one sitting, however the required score must be met within 12 months of first sitting the test, and less than three years old when your CGFNS report is submitted to the Nursing Council.
Ukraine	OET for Nurses At least Grade C+ in all 4 modules
Singapore	OET for Nurses At least Grade B in all 4 modules

Which test is best?

Finally, we have reached back to our main question in hand. Which English language test is best? It's now much easier for you to select from the above information. IELTS is a universally approved testing method and it may be your choice if you are still in confusion over the country to which you want to migrate. However, while considering the difficulty level of IELTS over OET, it is better to go for OET in countries where OET is accepted. OET for nurses is much easier than the IELTS exam. But your choice of relocation is Australia or any of the 12 states in the USA, then you can blindly start preparing for the PTE test as it is far better than the IELTS and OET test. It is easier to score good marks in PTE and it will help you to get more points in Australian PR points system.

Hope this blog helped you to choose a suitable English language test for you. If you have any more doubts, ask it in the comments section below. I will answer the queries whenever possible.