Top English Tests for Nurses in 2025: OET vs IELTS vs PTE

For those who aspire to be a nurse abroad, taking an English proficiency test is not only a requirement—it is a stepping stone to international opportunities. Health systems in countries such as the UK, Australia, Canada, the USA, and the Middle East need nurses to demonstrate advanced communication capabilities to guarantee patient safety and efficient collaboration. This is where English exams for healthcare migration are necessary. Selecting the best English test for nurses 2025 will either make or break your immigration experience. Some of the most well-liked are OET (Occupational English Test), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), and PTE (Pearson Test of English).

In this blog, we will compare OET, IELTS, and PTE for nurses, so you can determine which exam best suits your immigration purposes for 2025.

Overview of OET, IELTS, and PT

OET (Occupational English Test)

OET is specifically tailored for healthcare professionals such as nurses, doctors, and pharmacists. Its largest strength is its healthcare-oriented content—all exercises are set in medical contexts such as patient consultations, discharge letters from the hospital, or medical case notes. It is hence more relatable for nurses.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

IELTS is among the most famous tests of English in the world, accepted by universities, visa officers, and nursing councils around the world. It’s not specific to healthcare like OET, though. It’s a test of general academic and conversational English, which makes it a good option for nurses who might also consider further study abroad or family migration.

PTE (Pearson Test of English)

PTE Academic is an AI-scored computer test. It’s widely used due to its quick results and broad acceptance in Australia, New Zealand, and some regions of Canada. Yet it is less healthcare-oriented than OET, and some councils of nursing continue to accept IELTS or OET.

Country Acceptance for Each Test

OET: Universally recognized in the UK (NMC), Australia (AHPRA), New Zealand, Ireland, and Singapore for nursing registration. Gradually acquiring recognition in the USA and Middle East.

IELTS: Recognized worldwide—UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Gulf nations. The NMC (UK) and AHPRA (Australia) accept IELTS Academic for nursing.

PTE: Legally accepted by AHPRA in Australia and most Australian hospitals. It is also acceptable for immigration to Australia and New Zealand, but some medical boards still insist on OET or IELTS.

If your target is the UK, OET and IELTS are the safest bets. For Australia, OET, IELTS, and PTE are all acceptable. For Canada and the USA, IELTS is more popular, although OET is closing the gap.

Exam Format Comparison

OET

Listening: 40 minutes, recordings related to healthcare.

Reading: 60 minutes, medical and healthcare texts.

Writing: Single task—letter writing, typically a referral or discharge summary.

Speaking: Role-play with a healthcare scenario (nurse-patient conversation).

Why nurses like it: Content reflects actual hospital situations, so it’s useful and less theoretical.

IELTS

Listening: 30 minutes, general contexts such as conversations or lectures.

Reading: 60 minutes, academic texts and articles.

Writing: Two exercises—a graph/letter description and an essay.

Speaking: Examiner interview-style conversation.

Why nurses like it: Accepted everywhere, but subject matter is not healthcare-related.

PTE

Listening: Audio and video recordings, summarized or transcribed.

Reading: Fill blanks, reorder paragraphs.

Writing: Summarize text and essay writing.

Speaking: Read aloud, repeat sentences, and describe pictures.

Why nurses like it: Computerized, with fast results and fewer human biases in scoring.

Cost & Preparation Difficulty

OET: Approximately $455 USD, which is the most costly of the trio. Preparation is healthcare-focused, so clinically experienced nurses find it achievable.

IELTS: Approximately $250 USD, which is quite reasonable. Exposure to academic essays and texts is needed for preparation, which can be tough for nurses who have not encountered non-medical information.

PTE: Approximately $240 USD. Computer-based preparation is required, so tech-comfortable applicants usually find it less of a challenge.

Difficulty-wise, most nurses say that OET is easier since it is more in tune with their professional experience, whereas IELTS may be tougher as it has such a wide scope of academics. PTE is easier according to some because it is scored objectively, though speaking tests may seem robotic.

Which Test Is Easiest for Nurses?

The response depends on your motivations and strengths:

Easiest for healthcare context: OET is usually the top English test for nurses 2025, as all material is related to healthcare.

Easiest for global flexibility: IELTS is the most secure option if you want maximum global acceptance.

Easiest for fast results and computer-based preference: PTE is best if you’re technologically comfortable and want Australia or New Zealand.

For most nurses, OET would be the most comfortable as it reflects everyday situations they are already exposed to in hospitals. But if cost and wider acceptability are essential, then IELTS is a good choice.

Right Choice for Different Migration Goals

While choosing between OET vs IELTS for nurses and also keeping in mind PTE, the only thing to do is choose the test according to your professional life:

Select OET if you prefer healthcare-oriented material and intend to practice in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, or Ireland.
Select IELTS if you prefer a world-accepted certificate that leads to doors other than nursing, e.g., study or family migration.
Select PTE if you’re going to Australia or New Zealand and prefer a computer-delivered test with fast results.
Finally, the top English test for nurses in 2025 is based on where you wish to establish your career and how much you feel at ease with each exam format.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is OET easier than IELTS for nurses?

Yes, it is easier for many nurses as OET concentrates on healthcare situations that they are already familiar with.

Which exam do UK nursing councils accept?

Both OET and IELTS are accepted by the UK’s Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Do Australian hospitals accept PTE?

Yes, Australian hospitals and healthcare boards accept PTE in addition to OET and IELTS.

Can nurses use Duolingo for migration?

No, Duolingo is not accepted by prominent nursing councils for migration.

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Proving one's ability in the English language is a prerequisite for employment, education, or immigration to English-speaking countries in the globalized world.…