<p>Communication between patients and healthcare professionals is critical to providing the best possible care to the patient. That is why overseas employers in the <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/get-hired-in-the-usa-as-a-foreign-educated-nurse" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USA</a>, Canada, Australia, UK, and New Zealand require candidates to prove their language and communication skills in advance of employment overseas. These countries use different tests, including the IELTS, to test your English comprehension, reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Therefore it is important to prepare for the IELTS exam if you want to work abroad.</p>
<h2>What is the IELTS?</h2>
<p>The <a href="https://www.ielts.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International English Language Testing System (IELTS)</a> is an exam designed to test a person’s mastery of the English language. <a href="https://www.britishcouncil.ae/en?id=1326896" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The British Council</a>, <a href="https://www.idp.com/global/ielts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IDP: IELTS Australia</a> and <a href="https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cambridge Assessment English</a> jointly manage the IELTS.</p>
<p>Native English-speaking countries such as the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the USA require non-native speakers to pass the IELTS exam if they wish to work or study in these countries.</p>
<p>There are two types of IELTS tests available – IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic. Both tests assess a candidate’s English language proficiency by testing their writing, reading, listening, and speaking skills. </p>
<p>To work as a healthcare professional or to study overseas to become a healthcare professional in a native English-speaking country, you need to take the <a href="https://www.ielts.org/about-ielts/ielts-test-types" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IELTS Academic test</a>. The IELTS includes:</p>
<ul>
<li>A 30-minute listening test consists of four sections. In each section, you will listen once to various recordings and write your answers to a total of forty questions on an answer sheet.</li>
<li>The academic reading paper consists of three reading passages. The paper includes a variety of task types, including those that require you to express your opinion, identify information, provide short answers, or select the answer from multiple choices. You must complete the test in 60 minutes.</li>
<li>The academic writing paper consists of two tasks that take a total of about 60 minutes to complete. In task 1, you may be asked to describe and explain data, stages of a process, how something works, or describe an object or event based on a graph/table/chart/diagram. Task 2 requires you to write a formal essay responding to a problem, point of view or argument.</li>
<li>The speaking test involves a short face-to-face interview with the examiner. It consists of three sections: the introduction & interview, speaking at length on a given topic, and finally, a discussion to analyze and discuss an issue. </li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<p>The examiners will provide a score for each test component. The average from all the sections is the IELTS score. The score you get is assigned a number (0-9) from the IELTS score band. </p>
<h2>Benefits of the IELTS for Healthcare Professionals</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="535" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2023/04/Blog-graphic-Prepare-for-the-IELTS-Exam-Shutterstock_1725431725-1024x535.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-16804" srcset="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2023/04/Blog-graphic-Prepare-for-the-IELTS-Exam-Shutterstock_1725431725-1024x535.jpg 1024w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2023/04/Blog-graphic-Prepare-for-the-IELTS-Exam-Shutterstock_1725431725-300x157.jpg 300w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2023/04/Blog-graphic-Prepare-for-the-IELTS-Exam-Shutterstock_1725431725-768x401.jpg 768w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2023/04/Blog-graphic-Prepare-for-the-IELTS-Exam-Shutterstock_1725431725.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
<p>Are you a <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/part-one-nursing-in-the-uk-why-make-the-move">healthcare professional who wants to practice in the UK</a>, North America, Australia, or New Zealand? Proficiency in English is a must-have. Communication is critical in healthcare facilities; it can mean the difference between life and death, especially in emergencies. </p>
<p>When working in a healthcare institution, you don’t always have the time to look up words in a dictionary to understand what others are saying. These are skills you should have cultivated beforehand. This brings us to the benefits of the <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/ielts-101-know" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IELTS</a>.</p>
<p>When you take the IELTS for work, you are opening yourself up to a world of lucrative job opportunities. Hundreds of countries accept the test as a measure of English proficiency.</p>
<p>Prepare for the IELTS exam to increase your chances of visa approval. When applying to work in the healthcare space, your IELTS scores will influence the decision to grant your work visa. You are more likely to receive your <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/can-you-get-a-visa-under-the-uk-points-based-system" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">visa</a> approval if you have higher scores. </p>
<p>Including your IELTS exam in your CV shows recruiters that you have taken the necessary steps to build your communication skills for your profession. Therefore, they are likely to recommend you for overseas job opportunities. You can add your English language academic certificates and licensing <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/trueproofs-what-can-you-do-with-your-verified-documents" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TrueProofs</a> to your Digital CV for international recruiters and employers to see. </p>
<p>The IELTS exam is recognized and accepted by more than <a href="https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/ielts-recognising-organisations/recognise-ielts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">11,000 organizations</a> around the world. With such a wide acceptance, completing your IELTS places you above other candidates who have not taken the necessary steps to prove their proficiency in English. These tests are usually standardized in all the 140 countries where they are offered, giving you an accurate and reliable measure of your English proficiency. </p>
<p>Now, having an IELTS on your CV is one step in standing out from the competition, but having higher scores makes you even more desirable in a competitive job market. </p>
<h2>How To Prepare for the IELTS Exam</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2023/04/Blog-graphic-Prepare-for-the-IELTS-Exam-Shutterstock_310012925-820-%C3%97-312.jpg" alt="Prepare for the IELTS Exam" class="wp-image-16801"/></figure>
<p>Passing your IELTS and attaining high scores that help you stand out requires deliberate preparation. Work on your reading, comprehension, listening and speaking skills. This way, you are prepared to pass your test. You are also ready to communicate clearly with your future colleagues, employers, and patients. </p>
<p>Here are some guidelines on how to prepare for the IELTS exam:</p>
<ul>
<li>Create a realistic study plan based on your learning needs and current skills. For example, if you are good at listening to English speakers and understanding them but have a problem with speaking clearly, your focus should be on improving your speaking skills. You can learn English by watching YouTube videos and interacting with native speakers on different language learning platforms. The general rule when creating a study plan is to focus on improving your weaknesses. </li>
<li>Practice constantly, ideally, using a timer to pace yourself. In addition to testing your language skills, the IELTS exam times you when completing different sections of the exam. Practicing this simulation helps you learn faster and handle the pressure of the actual IELTS exam. It’s also a great idea to consider enrolling in an <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/training" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IELTS preparation course</a> to improve your performance. </li>
<li>Take practice tests to help you evaluate how well you are doing. Practice tests also help you discover additional weaknesses and help you build on your strengths. </li>
<li>Familiarize yourself with the <a href="https://www.ielts.org/for-test-takers/test-format" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test format</a> by reviewing the content of IELTS tests and the types of <a href="https://www.ielts.org/for-test-takers/sample-test-questions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test questions</a> in each section. As you look at the structure and questions, note the time required to complete each section and incorporate these time limits during your practice sessions.</li>
<li>Take time to learn English, even as you prepare for the test. Most people lose their focus on getting higher scores in the IELTS and forget to build their understanding of the language. Remember that once you pass the exam and work in a native English country, you will interact with English-speaking people throughout your personal and career life. If your comprehension of the language is low, you risk jeopardizing both professional and personal relationships. Start learning English actively for three to six months before you take the IELTS exam. Expose yourself to the language in various ways. You can read, listen to native speakers. Alternatively, enrolling in an institution that can guide you as you learn the language.</li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<h2>Taking the IELTS Test and Getting Your Results</h2>
<p>You can take the IELTS exam in one of <a href="https://www.ielts.org/for-test-takers/book-a-test" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1,600 test locations in over 140 countries</a>. You can register online or download the application and submit it to the nearest test center. When applying, attach a copy of your valid identification document. This must be the same ID that you bring to your test.</p>
<p>After processing, the test center will confirm the test date and time via email. You have the choice to schedule your speaking test 7 days before or after the other tests. </p>
<p>After completing your tests, your results will be ready within a few days, depending on the format of the test. Online test results will be ready in 3-5 days, paper test in 13 days.</p>
<p>Your IELTS scores are available to view online for 28 days. You can use the link you receive to view and understand your results. The results also include recommendations on steps you should take to improve your language skills. </p>
<h2>In Summary</h2>
<p>More than 11,000 organizations worldwide recognize the IELTS exam as an acceptable standard to measure the English proficiency of potential candidates. Prepare for the IELTS exam and score within a certain band to increase your chances of landing lucrative <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/jobs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">jobs in the healthcare sector</a>. Adding your IELTS language credential as a TrueProof to your <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/digital-cv" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Digital CV</a> will gain instant trust from international recruiters and overseas employers looking to hire a healthcare professional like you.</p>
<h4>Get your own TrueProof for your credentials. Sign up with <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/register" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TrueProfile.io</a> now!</h4>