OET and IELTS - The comparison

1. In OET Listening, there are no maps to label, but in IELTS Listening, it's possible you'll label maps. But the speakers accent and pace in OET may be challenging for the majority of candidates. I believe IELTS Listening is somewhat easier.

2. In OET Reading, there are just three question types: short answer questions, matching information questions and multiple choice questions. In IELTS Reading however, there are seven question types. So, OET Reading should be easier for most diligent students

3. In OET Writing, you will be required to write one letter (similar to the handover notes that nurses write at the end of their shift) and you have 40 minutes. In IELTS however, you will be required to write one essay and one report; both will last for 60 minutes. So, Writing is somehow easier in OET.

4. In OET Speaking, you'll talk with a "patient" about their health condition, treatment plan, or some other situation. This is something that most nurses are already familiar with. In IELTS speaking however, you'll talk to an examiner, and the examiner will be asking you all sorts of questions about different issues: some familiar, some unfamiliar. The difficulty level looks equal to me.

5. Cost: OET is more expensive, four times as expensive as IELTS.

6. Success rate: Now this is a debatable one. I personally do not fancy using success rates to decide whether you will take one test or another tests. Success rate is only helpful for deciding whether a particular group or batch of students did well. Many people say that OET has a higher success rate than IELTS. I don't know what to say in regard to that. I've seen people pass IELTS and OET, and I've seen people fail IELTS and OET. Of course, I've seen more people fail IELTS, and it's because IELTS is cheaper, so more people will naturally gravitate towards IELTS. This what I know: if you study well, practice well, and master the techniques and strategies that you have been taught, and you apply them on the exam day, your success is 100% guaranteed - whether it's OET or IELTS.

My conclusion : preparation is the most important. If one doesn't practice OET well, even if it's easier, the result may not be good. So, whether you're taking OET or IELTS, prepare to put in a lot of effort.