This blog covers quality OET reading materials with OET reading samples for nurses. The reading test includes two parts - OET Reading Part A (15 minutes) & OET Reading Part B & C (45 minutes). Reading Part A has 20 questions, and Part B & C has 22 questions. Aim for 30 or above to achieve a B grade in the OET reading practice tests. Question types include gap fill, identifying the location of text, and choosing between multiple options. Time management is crucial, so OET candidates should try to finish Reading Part A in 16 minutes to have at least 4 minutes for reviewing the answers. Similarly, aim to finish Reading Part B & C in 40 minutes to have 5 minutes at the end for checking answers in the real OET reading exam.
The OET Reading subtest includes content from medical research articles, patient information leaflets, medical policies and guidelines, and patient medical histories, all of which are directly relevant to the daily work of healthcare professionals. The test ensures safe and effective medical care by assessing the ability of healthcare professionals to accurately read and understand patient histories, case notes, prescriptions, and advanced treatment plans. It also facilitates smooth collaboration among healthcare professionals on treatment plans, discharge protocols, and clinical details. You can read more about Understanding How the OET Reading Sub-Test Works to better understand OET reading subtest.
2. Format & Scoring of OET Reading
The OET reading has three parts i.e., A, B and C. There are 42 questions in total which are scored against a benchmark of scores converted out of 500. Key details about OET reading subtest have been given in the table below:
| Reading (15 mins for Part A | Part A
(20 Qs) (
| Part A: 20 questions
1-7 Matching Questions.
8-20 Fill in the blanks.
| General Medical | Reading the subtest requires you to quickly scan the text, locate relevant information, record specific information, identify main ideas, purpose, and understand the implicit and explicit meanings. |
| (45 mins for Part B & C combined) | Part B
(6 MCQs)
Part C
(16 MCQs) | Part B: 6 questions (6 workplace extracts)
3 option MCQs Part C: 16 questions
2 long texts
4 option MCQS questions | General Medical |
The reading subtest is scored from 0 to 500 and E to A Grade equivalence. If you score between 350 and 440, you will get a B grade in the reading test which is mostly accepted by healthcare councils across the globe. Use the OET reading calculator to find out how many correct marks you require for a B grade. Complete breakdown of scores along with their description have been given in the table below:
OET Reading Scores
| Score | Grade | Description |
|---|
| 450-500 | A | High level performance |
| 350-440 | B | Strong Performance |
| 300-340 | C+ | Moderate Performance |
| 200-290 | C | Limited Performance |
3. OET Reading Part A, B & C
OET Reading Part A
In part A, you will see four extracts on one particular topic. The extracts can be treatment pathways, diagnostic tools, dosage charts, visual information, symptoms, etc. on that single healthcare topic. You must complete part A in 15 minutes only. You cannot return to this part after the allotted time. There are 20 Questions in Part A. Each correct answer is with one mark. There is no negative marking so it pays to answer all 20 questions.
Reading part A requires skimming and scanning. You can read more about Part A by reading the article on The OET 2.0 Reading Test: A Comprehensive Guide. You can also read the OET Reading Test for more information about the format change in the OET exam.
OET Reading Subtest Part B & C
Here, you will get 45 mins to complete both part B and C, so it becomes more challenging because you need to spend reasonable time on one part or else you will run out of time for the other part. In part B, there will be six different extracts, one question from each with multiple choice answers. The extracts will be short and can be from hospital policies, emails, memos, notice, etc. which will require you to find the main idea, purpose or details of the texts. You should read Everything About OET Reading Part B.
In reading part C, you will see two 800 words approx. long extracts which are similar to journal or research articles. Each text will have 8 questions with 4 multiple choice answers to select from. You need to recognize implied meanings, opinions, inferences etc. to achieve maximum marks in Part C. You should read Tips for Identifying Opinions in OET Reading Part C and Answering Reference Questions in OET Reading Part C to understand and score higher marks in reading part C.
4. OET Reading Strategies and Techniques
The OET Reading subtest can be challenging in two key ways. First, if an OET test taker lacks language skills, including grammar and vocabulary. Second, if the OET candidate has no strategies to read and answer quickly.
To enhance your language skills, you can explore articles on OET Grammar to understand and revise essential grammatical concepts, and OET Vocabulary with Exam Words List and Tips to improve your vocabulary.
For developing effective test-taking strategies, make sure to read the following articles:
The above articles include relevant video guides that can help you visualise how to implement the strategies.
5. OET Reading Preparation Resources
The most crucial aspect of OET test preparation is having access to authentic and relevant practice materials. If you are unfamiliar with the type of content you will encounter in the real OET test, or if you have not practiced with authentic materials that match the level of difficulty and format of the official test, you are likely to struggle in the reading section on test day. Therefore, ensure you have access to high-quality resources and ample practice tests. The OET trainers and ex-examiners at Benchmark have meticulously designed reading practice tests that align closely with the content, format, layout, and difficulty level of the official OET test to provide quality preparation materials. You can get our OET course on OET Online Preparation Course. If you want to assess your performance before appearing for the official OET test, you can take the OET Mock Tests for reading. If you want to practice for the reading subtest, you can avail our OET Reading Practice Tests.
6. Frequently Asked Questions by OET Test Takers
Q: Can I complete Part A in 20 minutes?
A: No, you must finish Part A of the OET Reading Subtest within 15 minutes. You should quickly skim through all four texts and locate the answers efficiently.
Q: What types of questions are included in the OET Reading Subtest?
A: In Part A, you will answer fill-in-the-blank questions, while in Parts B and C, you will choose answers from multiple-choice options.
Q: Can I write a word in the fill-in-the-gap question that is not found in the extracts?
A: No, you must only use the exact word or phrase from the text. Any word not present in the extracts is not considered a valid answer.
Q: How much time should I spend on Part B questions?
A: Remember that you have 45 minutes for both Part B and Part C combined. Part B consists of 6 questions, and Part C has 16 questions. Divide your time wisely and keep track to ensure you complete the test on time. Ideally, finish your reading part b & c test in 40 minutes to have at least 5 minutes to proofread your reading answers.
Q: What is the average accepted score in the OET Reading Subtest?
A: Most medical boards, councils, and regulatory authorities require a minimum score of 350, or Grade B, for most professions. Aim for at least 32 correct answers out of 42.
Q: Which books should I read to enhance my OET Reading score?
A: For Part A, focus on patients' history and case notes. For Part B, read medical books on policies, correspondence letters, and emails. For Part C, study research articles on medical advancements, depending on which part of the Reading Subtest you want to improve.
Q: What mistakes should I avoid in the OET Reading Subtest?
A: Common mistakes to avoid include:
- Spelling errors
- Writing words that are not found in the text
- Spending too much time on one question
- Selecting two options for a single answer
- Overwriting answers
Q: How is the Reading Subtest different in OET on paper and OET on computer?
A: In OET on paper, you read and find answers directly from physical pages, and you can flip back and forth between the text and questions to locate your answers. In OET on Computer, both the text and the questions are displayed on the same screen, making it easier to navigate and saving time compared to scrolling up and down.
Q: Can I underline or highlight the text in the Reading Subtest?
A: Yes, in OET on paper, you can underline or highlight words and sentences while searching for answers. In OET on the computer, you can highlight content by clicking and dragging your mouse over the text.
Q: How can I get maximum marks in OET Reading Part B and Part C?
A: To achieve high marks:
- For Part B: Focus on skimming and scanning healthcare-related policy documents.
- For Part C: Read research articles in the medical and healthcare fields to build comprehension skills.
Regular practice with authentic materials will enhance your performance.
