OET to IELTS Score Conversion
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Both OET and IELTS are popular English language tests, but they are made for different reasons. If you are a healthcare professional, you need to take OET. But if you are a student or a working professional who wants to study or work abroad, then you should take IELTS.
For helping our students, we have shared a simple OET to IELTS score comparison so you can understand how both are connected. The Occupational English Test (OET) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are both used by people who want to work or study in English-speaking countries. Even though both check your English language skills, they are made for different groups and have different scoring systems. Knowing how to convert OET scores to IELTS scores helps you understand which exam you should take and how much you need to score.
The OET is a special English test made only for healthcare workers like doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. On the other hand, the IELTS exam is for international students or professionals who plan to study, work, or migrate to countries where English is the main language.
The OET scores goes from 0 to 500 and is graded from A to E, while the IELTS scores goes from 0 to 9 bands. By converting OET scores to IELTS bands, you can get an idea of how your marks in one test match with the other. Check the full article below to know OET vs IELTS.
Related Reads:
- OET Score Conversion to IELTS Scores
- What is OET?
- What is IELTS?
- Why Compare OET to IELTS?
OET Score Conversion to IELTS Scores
Table below will show a rough representation of your OET score and your IELTS Band score equivalent. The candidate needs to understand that this exercise is for representation purposes only. The candidate has to appear for the exams for a valid score individually. This is solely done for the candidate's benefit to know how he would fare in the other exam if the necessity ever arose.
| OET Score |
OET Grade |
OET Band Description |
IELTS Equivalent Band Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 490 480 470 460 450 |
A |
The aspirant can communicate fluently and effectively with patients and health professionals with a complete understanding of English. |
Band 8.0-9.0
(Very Good User – Expert User) |
| 440 430 420 410 400 |
B |
The candidate can effectively communicate with patients and healthcare professionals with occasional inaccuracies and hesitancies. |
Band 7.0-7.5
(Good User) |
| 390 380 370 360 350 |
|||
| 340 330 320 310 300 |
C+ |
The aspirant can maintain interaction in a regular healthcare environment between patients and healthcare professionals. However, with the possibility of occasional errors and lapses. |
Band 6.5
(Competent User) |
| 290 280 270 260 250 240 230 220 210 200 |
C |
Band 5.5-6.0
(Modest User – Competent User) |
|
| 190 180 170 160 150 140 130 120 110 100 |
D |
The candidate can understand the information in a regular healthcare environment between patients and healthcare professionals. However, he may require clarity in conversation with the possibility of multiple errors and inaccuracies triggering strain in communication. |
Band Less than 5.5
(Extremely limited – limited Users) |
| 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 |
E |
The candidate is able to comprehend single interactions in brief simple messages where clarification is provided. There is a possibility of a significant breakdown in communication due to the presence of high-density errors. |
Less than 5.5
(Non-User – Intermittent User) |
This conversion table serves as a guideline for candidates who want to estimate their potential IELTS score based on their OET results. However, it is important to note that these conversions are approximate and individuals should take the actual IELTS test for an official score.
What is OET?
The Occupational English Test or OET is a testing system designed to check the English language competency of healthcare professionals who are looking to apply for admission in English-speaking countries. CBLA or Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment conducts this test. Healthcare professionals who are examining to work or study in the healthcare sector in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Ukraine, Dubai, Singapore, or Namibia have required the OET score during the admission process. Students have to apply for the OET to prove their level of English proficiency to be able to deliver superior healthcare.
The OET exam is designed specifically for 12 healthcare professions including Occupational Therapy, Dentistry, Nursing, Radiography, Veterinary Science, Medicine, Speech Pathology, Physiotherapy, Dietetics, Podiatry, Pharmacy, and Optometry.
How is OET scored?
Answer booklets of Listening Part A and Reading Part A are assigned to OET Assessors at random for marking. Answer booklets of Listening and Reading Parts B and C are computer scanned and automatically scored. Audio files and scripts of Writing and Speaking sub-tests are assigned and rated by multiple-trained OET Assessors randomly to avoid conflict. Candidates can check the OET official website for the detailed score reporting procedure. Candidates who are unsatisfied with the outcome of their results can appeal for a reevaluation of the remarking of their answer sheets.
Know more about OET here:
What is IELTS?
The International English Language Testing System or IELTS, is an English language exam required by international candidates considering studying or working in a country where English is the primary language of communication. The UK, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and Canada are the most popular countries where IELTS is accepted for university admissions.
The exam mainly measures test-takers ability to communicate in the four Basic English language skills – listening, reading, speaking, and writing. IDP Education Australia, British Council, and Cambridge English Language Assessment jointly owned and conducted the IELTS exam.
How is IELTS scored?
After completing your IELTS exam, you will receive IELTS scores for each of the four sections on a scale of 1 – 9. Along with that, you will also get an overall band score. See the scoring pattern below to understand how your IELTS score will be calculated.
Know more about IELTS here:
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
Why Compare OET to IELTS?
Many healthcare professionals are now considering moving abroad or applying to places where IELTS is also accepted. If you have already taken OET, this guide gives you an idea of your IELTS level, and vice versa. This can help you:
- Set a clear IELTS target score
- Understand how much more practice you may need
- Choose the right exam for your career goals
A C+ grade is a good OET score given to the person getting marks between 300-340 and a C to those who have obtained marks between 200-290. This means that the candidate can maintain the interaction in a relevant healthcare environment despite occasional errors and lapses.
The United States, Australia, New Zealand, etc. accept 6.5 or above IELTS score for nurses. You can easily register for the Nurse in any mentioned country by scoring the marks mentioned.
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You can easily convert your OET score to IELTS by using OET to IELTS calculator. The calculator has different OET bands for different IELTS scores. You can check and convert your score easily.