Nurses choosing between OET and IELTS: the UK and New Zealand ask for the same level, so pick by format

If you are a nurse planning to register in the UK or New Zealand, choosing the wrong English test can cost you months and a second set of test fees. The good news is that both regulators ask for the same level in OET and IELTS Academic, so the real question is which test format suits the way you read, write and speak. This article compares the two side by side, shows you what each one asks you to do, and helps you decide before you book.

It covers the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in the UK and the Nursing Council of New Zealand. Requirements can change, so check the official pages linked below before you pay for a test.

What the UK and New Zealand ask for

Both regulators accept OET and IELTS Academic, and both set separate minimums for each skill. Writing has a slightly lower minimum than the other three skills in both tests.

You can read the details on the NMC's IELTS Academic page, the NMC's OET page and the Nursing Council of New Zealand's English language page. For a closer look at the UK numbers on their own, see the earlier article on NMC English requirements.

Small rules that change your choice

A few details on these official pages matter more than the headline scores:

• The NMC accepts IELTS Academic UKVI as well as IELTS Academic, but it does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake, IELTS Online or the IELTS Indicator test.
• The NMC accepts OET (Nursing), including OET@Home.
• The Nursing Council of New Zealand does not accept PTE. Its approved tests are OET and IELTS Academic.
• In New Zealand, if your scores come from more than one sitting, they must be achieved within 12 months of first sitting the test.

If you are thinking of a retake format or an online version, check first that it is accepted where you are registering.

How the two tests feel different

Since the levels match, the format is what decides which test is easier for you. Here is what each one asks you to do.

OET: English in a clinical setting

OET tests Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Listening and Reading are the same for every profession, while Writing and Speaking are profession specific. For nurses, that means the writing and speaking tasks use nursing situations.

• Writing: one letter task lasting 45 minutes, with 5 minutes reading time and 40 minutes writing time. For nurses, the letter is set in a nursing context.
• Speaking: 20 minutes in total, with two profession-specific role plays of 5 minutes each and 3 minutes preparation per role play. The role plays are set in your profession, not on general topics.

OET can be taken in three ways: OET Test on Paper, OET Test on Computer and OET@Home. Details are on the official OET website.

IELTS Academic: general academic English

IELTS Academic is the version for study at undergraduate or postgraduate level or for professional registration, which includes nurses. Its topics are general and academic rather than clinical.

• Writing: 2 tasks in 60 minutes, and Task 2 counts twice as much as Task 1 to your Writing score.
• Task 1: you describe visual information, such as a graph, table, chart or diagram, in at least 150 words in about 20 minutes.
• Task 2: you discuss a point of view, argument or problem in at least 250 words in about 40 minutes.

Which test suits you: a short checklist

Use these questions to make your choice. Answer them honestly, then compare your answers with the notes after the list.

1. Do you write clinical notes and letters at work? If you already write handovers, referrals or discharge summaries in English, OET Writing may feel familiar.
2. Are you comfortable describing charts and writing essays? If you studied in English and wrote essays at college, IELTS Academic Writing may suit you.
3. Where are you weakest? Look at the skill you find hardest and ask which format gives you more support. Many nurses find it easier to speak about a patient than about an abstract topic, but others find role plays stressful.
4. Will one score be used for more than one purpose? If an employer, university or visa application also needs an English score, check which tests each of them accepts before you book.
5. Where can you sit the test? Check test dates and formats near you on the official websites, as availability varies by city.

There is no single right answer. A nurse who writes clinical letters every day and finds academic essays slow may prefer OET. A nurse who studied in English and is confident with essays and charts may prefer IELTS Academic. The levels you need are set by the regulator either way.

Example: two nurses, two choices

Example only, with fictional people. Grace has worked on a surgical ward for six years and writes discharge letters in English every week, but she has not written an essay since college. She chooses OET because the writing task looks like her daily work. Daniel completed his nursing degree in English and enjoys writing, but he gets nervous in role plays. He chooses IELTS Academic because its tasks are not set as clinical role plays.

Planning your preparation

Whichever test you pick, give extra time to writing, the skill where both regulators set their own separate minimum. Before you book, sit timed practice in all four skills and look at which one is furthest from the score you need.

• For OET, practise writing clear, well-organised letters within the time limit, choosing only the information the reader of your letter needs.
• For IELTS Academic, practise describing the main trends in a chart without listing every number, and plan essays before you write.
• For both, practise listening to different accents and speaking at a steady pace.

PractiseNow has practice for both tests: you choose IELTS Academic or OET and see only that test's task types and timings. OET practice covers Listening and Reading Parts A-C for every profession, plus clinical letters and role-plays for nursing and medicine. Speaking and writing answers get AI feedback with an estimated score, which is a practice estimate, not an official result. The free plan gives you the first 3 Starter sets and the first Builder set of every task type in your test, plus 3 AI credits. You can compare the tests on the site or start practising free.

Once you have your result, put it in the right place on your CV. This guide on where to show an IELTS or OET score on a nursing CV explains how. If you are still unsure which IELTS version you need for other purposes, read IELTS Academic or General Training.

Frequently asked questions

Is OET easier than IELTS for nurses?

Neither is easier for everyone. The regulators set matching levels, so the better choice is the format that suits your skills: clinical tasks in OET or general academic tasks in IELTS Academic.

Can I use IELTS General Training for nursing registration?

The NMC and Nursing Council of New Zealand pages list IELTS Academic as the IELTS test they accept for nurses. Check the official pages before you book.

Can I combine scores from two test sittings?

It depends on the regulator and the test. In New Zealand, scores from more than one sitting must be achieved within 12 months of first sitting the test. Check the official page for the rules that apply to you.

How long are OET results valid?

There is no global validity period for OET results. Each organisation that accepts OET decides how long results are valid, so check with the regulator you are applying to.

Last checked: 20 October 2026 against the official pages linked above.