I believe we all understand that proving English proficiency is one of the most essential steps when you’re planning to move abroad (esp. the countries where the first language is English) and build a career there. We also discussed in our previous article (here) it does play a significant role in helping you improve your points for visa, if you score well in the test.
Let’s further our discussion about which test you should go for. In this article, we will look at a couple of more parameters that would help you make the right decision.
One of the most important aspects is – is there a center in (or near) your city? This becomes even more important if you live in a remote place.
| Exams –> | TOEFL | PTE | OET | IELTS | CC1 Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # centers all over the world | ~4500 centers in 190 countries | ~400 centers in 117 countries | ~200 cities in 40 countries | ~1600 locations in 140 countries | ~2800 centers across 130 countries |
| # centers in India | 30 to 35 centers in all major cities | ~35 centers in all major cities | ~49 centers across all major cities | 78 centers in all major cities | 25 centers, across major cities |
If you look at the above table, you will find that you’re likely to have an IELTS center in/near your city. Also, OET has the 2nd highest number of centers in India.
Let’s look at what are the different components & how lengthy they are in nature –
| Sections | CC1 Advanced |
| Reading | It has 8 parts, and it takes 1.5 hours to complete this section. It tests your vocabulary, grammar, collocation, and general ability to read confidently. |
| Writing | This section has two parts. In part one you’re supposed to write an essay and in part two you’re supposed to pick one from 3 options. You get 1.5 hrs to complete this section. |
| Listening | There are 4 parts to this section. You get 40 mins, and you have to listen and answer 30 questions within the stipulated time. |
| Speaking | There are 4 parts to this section. You get 15 mins to answer questions you’re asked. The longest you’re supposed to speak is for 5 mins. |
| Sections | TOEFL |
| Reading | Read passages and respond to questions – 20 questions in 35 mins. |
| Listening | Answer questions about brief lectures or classroom discussions – 28 questions in 36 minutes. |
| Speaking | Talk about a familiar topic and discuss the material you heard and read – 4 tasks in 16 minutes. |
| Writing | Read a passage, listen to a recording and type your response. State and support an opinion in an online classroom discussion – 2 tasks in 29 mins. More details here |
| Sections | PTE |
| Speaking & Writing | 7 different questions – a. Read aloud. b. Repeat Sentence c. Describe image. d. Re-tell lecture. e. Answer short questions f. Summarize written test g. Write an essay. You get 54 to 67 mins to complete all these. |
Reading | 5 different questions – a. Reading & answering fill in the blanks. b. Multiple choice, multiple answers. c. Reorder paragraphs. d. Fill in the blanks. e. Multiple choice, single answer. You get about 30 mins to complete all these. |
| Listening | 8 different question types – a. Summarize spoken test. b. Multiple choice; multiple answers. c. Fill in the blanks. d. Highlight correct summary. e. Multiple choice, single answer. f. Select missing words. g. Highlight incorrect words. h. Write from dictation. You get 30-43 mins to complete all their questions (here) |
| Sections | OET |
| Listening | Listening has 3 parts – a. Consultation extracts. b. Workplace extracts. c. Presentation extracts. In total you have 42 marks to score from. Also, you get 40 mins to complete. |
| Reading | This also has 3 parts – a. Expeditious reading tasks. b. & c. careful reading tasks. Here also you have full marks of 42. And you have 60 mins to complete. |
| Writing | You’re supposed to write a letter in response to a set of notes. You will have 5 mins to read the notes and 40 mins to write the letter. Your writing will be rated on a band of 0 to 7. |
| Speaking | There is a particular setting (depending which healthcare segment you come from – nursing, pharma, etc.). You’re supposed to respond to test questions – in 20 mins. Your response is recorded and assessed by 2 official assessors on a scale of 0 to 6. More details –here |
| Sections | IELTS |
| Listening | There are 4 parts and 40 questions- you have 30 mins to answer them. |
| Reading | There are 3 sections and 40 questions – you get 60 mins to complete this section. |
| Writing | In this section, you have two tasks to complete in 60 mins. |
| Speaking | There are 3 parts in this speaking section, and you get 11 to 14 mins to complete them. More details here |
Besides the number of centers, number of questions and time allowed to complete them, another important factor to consider is the content type of the exam. Except for OET, all of the above exams would have general scenarios and questions around that. On the other hand, OET is specifically meant for healthcare professionals – be it a nurse, a pharmacist, physiotherapist, and 9 other healthcare professions – and you can choose the one that is most suitable to you.
I hope you find this article helpful. If you’re a doctor or a pharmacist professional aspiring to build your career in Australia, fill out this form. And we will help you realize your dream.
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