OET vs IELTS: FINDING THE MOST APPROPRIATE WAY TO TEST LANGUAGE SKILLS FOR MEDICINE

Abstract

The question of whether someone is ‘proficient’ in a language or not can be difficult to measure. The problems that surround language testing are well researched and the suitability of tests such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) has been studied extensively. How well studying for tests such as IELTS equips learners with language needed for the world of work is, however, less researched. This paper focusses on the suitability of two tests, the Occupational English Test (OET) and IELTS, for the evaluation of language competency in people who wish to access employment and register in a medical profession, where the need to communicate effectively is essential for professionals such as nurses and doctors to be safe at work. Rather than looking at the tests themselves to ascertain their suitability, this paper explores the views of the test-taker and investigates their experiences of preparing for the two tests and their opinions of the test content. The findings show that candidates overwhelmingly prefer the OET, rating it more achievable, more relevant and more motivational than the IELTS.