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IELTS & PTE Tips and Strategies

Get the latest tips and strategies for free to pass your IELTS exam!

IELTS & PTE Tips and more...

IELTS Test Date

Do you want to take the IELTS test but don't know the dates? Have a look at the calendar and find out about test day.

International Nurses: Step‑by‑Step Guide to the UK Work Visa

Did you know you could secure a UK Health and Care Worker visa as a nurse before you’re even fully registered as a nurse in the UK? It sounds surprising, but it is possible, provided you meet all the relevant requirements.

5 Global Healthcare Hiring Trends for 2026: Navigating the New Market

If you are a doctor, nurse or carer thinking about working abroad this year, you’ve probably felt like the job market’s been changing pretty rapidly.

About the PTE Academic English Test

PTE Academic is taken on a computer in a test centre. There are 3 sections: Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening, which include 20 different kinds of questions.

The Pearson Test of English (PTE): A Path to Academic and Career Success

Are you an international student looking to study in English-speaking countries like the United States, Australia, or the United Kingdom? If so, the Pearson Test of English (PTE) could be your ticket to success.

Where is PTE Academic accepted for nurses?

PTE Academic is now accepted by a growing number of nursing boards, enabling healthcare professionals to use it to show their English language proficiency. If you’re a nurse, you can use the PTE Academic test in Australia and the US.

Why Is English Important For Healthcare?

There are 3 reasons why healthcare professionals need to learn medical English. Find out what they are & how you can improve your English.

Healthcare Professionals Overseas: The Main 2 English-Language Tests You Need

Would you like to work as a healthcare professional in an English-speaking country? Find out the 2 main English language tests you need.

How To WORK In The USA As A Nurse

Are you a nurse who’d love to live in USA? If you want California sunshine or New York bustle, here’s your guide to working in the US.

How to work as a foreign doctor in Australia? A complete guide of what to do?

How can I work in Australia as a foreign doctor? Get SLC's 5-step guide for overseas or international medical professionals.

A Guide To Working In Canada As A DOCTOR

Are you a doctor who wants to move to Canada? Discover SLC’s step-by-step guide to getting a job in the land of Mounties and maple trees.

What is IELTS?

IELTS stands for the International English Language Testing System. The IELTS exam is now taken by over 2.5 million people every year.

What is the difference between IELTS and OET?

Both IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and OET (Occupational English Test) are used to test the English language of healthcare professionals in different parts of the world.

The IELTS Academic Test: An Overview

The IELTS Academic test was originally designed for students who wish to study in English speaking universities at either degree or postgraduate level.

Online Learning vs Face-to-Face

The opportunity to develop language skills via an app, website or online tutor is very attractive, as it removes the need for learners to spend time and money travelling to a school or college.

IELTS rules change for overseas nurses

The NMC announced on Monday that the rules for IELTS for overseas nurses hoping to relocate to work in the UK would be changed.

GMC English Language Requirements for International Doctors

The General Medical Council (GMC), the UK regulator for doctors uses the following ways for an international medical graduate (IMG) to demonstrate their knowledge of English if they are applying to register to practise.

NMC to Review English Testing Requirements for Overseas Nurses

SLC welcomes the NMC’s decision to conduct a stocktake of English language requirements for overseas nurses wanting to work in the UK, as reported in the Nursing Times.

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IELTS READING

10 Useful Academic IELTS Reading Resources

The IELTS exam is perhaps the most widely taken international English language test. Over 2.5 million people sit the test every year from around the world.

Help to get your IELTS score to 7.0 or higher

The IELTS reading test is one hour long and consists of three passages taken from a variety of sources.

IELTS LISTENING

Help to get your IELTS score to 7.0 or higher

The listening component of the IELTS test is divided into four sections. The time allowed is roughly 30 minutes, followed by 10 minutes to transfer your answers to a machine readable sheet.

How to Ace the IELTS Listening Test – Preparation is key

Students generally think that the IELTS listening paper is going to be the easiest, however often find its fast pace challenging.

IELTS SPEAKING

How to get your IELTS score to 7.0 or higher

The speaking test consists of three sections. Together they take about 12-15 minutes. There will be you and an examiner, they may be either male or female and are native or near-native speakers of English.

IELTS WRITING

IELTS writing tips

The IELTS Writing paper is the most difficult of the four papers for the majority of candidates taking the Academic version of the test.

WHITE PAPER: A Comparative Analysis of Different Band Scores

The score needed for Writing was recently reduced to 6.5. SLC's Programme Manager Beth explores the difference between 6.5 and 7.0 in this detailed report.

SLC IELTS Writing Exam Guidelines Task 1

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 requires you to write a report on a set of data in 150 words in 20 minutes.

SLC IELTS Writing Exam Guidelines Task 2

Writing Task 2 requires you to write an essay in a minimum 250 words in 40 minutes. You should aim to write between 260 and 300 words.