OET Reading Subtest Do’s & Don’ts | OET Reading Test top tips

The OET Reading test is an essential part of the Occupational English Test and comprises 3 parts. Do’s and Don’ts of the OET Reading Sub-test have been written for you to ease acquiring marks.

Part A:
In Part A of the OET Reading, you locate specific information from four short texts related to a single healthcare topic.
You have 15 minutes to answer 20 questions. Before you attempt the Practice Test, consider some essential tips below.

Do:
* Keep the Text Booklet open in front of you so you can simultaneously see all the texts and the answer booklet. You need to move between the different texts quickly and easily.
* Use the headings and layout of the short texts to get a quick initial idea of the type of information they contain and how they are organised. This will help you select which text you need for each test section.
* For short answer and sentence completion questions, use the statement to find out what type of information you need and decide which of the short texts is likely to contain that information. Then navigate to the relevant part of the text.
* Use correct spelling: incorrectly spelt answers do not receive any marks. You may use either British or American spelling variations (e.g. anemia and anaemia are both acceptable).

Don’t:
* The answers for Part A need to be consistent with the information in the texts. Using your professional background knowledge to answer Part A and avoiding skimming and scanning the text is not a good strategy.
* Use words with similar meanings to words in the texts. These words are known as synonyms.
* Waste valuable time using an eraser to correct a mistake if you make one. You may, for example, accidentally include an extra word or write the wrong word in the insufficient space. Cross out any words you don’t want the assessor marking your paper to accept; this takes much less time, and you will not be penalised.
* Begin OET Reading Part A by simply reading all texts from beginning to end, as this will waste valuable time. Use the questions to guide you to which text to read first.

Part B:
In Part B, you answer one multiple-choice question about six short texts sourced from the healthcare workplace. The combined time for Parts B and C is 45 minutes. Before you attempt the Practice Test, consider some essential tips below.

Do:
* Read the contextual information for each text to help you understand the purpose and audience of the content.
* Read each answer option carefully and scan the text for evidence to support this option being correct or incorrect.
* Manage your time carefully. You should aim to spend the majority of the 45 minutes on Part C.
* Mark your answers on this Question Paper by filling in the circle using a 2B pencil.

Don’t:
* Read each text before reading the questions. You must be efficient with your time: read the answer options and then focus on the reader.
* Be distracted by unfamiliar vocabulary. Use the surrounding words to approximate the meaning and continue to search for the answer. Questions can often be answered without understanding all the vocabulary.
* Fill in more than one circle on the Question Paper as the scanner will not be able to recognise your answer, and you will not receive any marks for that question.

Part C:
In Part C, you answer eight multiple-choice questions on each of two texts about a topic of interest to healthcare professionals. The combined time for Parts B and C is 45 minutes.
Before you attempt the Practice Test, consider some important points below.

Do:
* There are no thematic links between the two texts. Focus on one reader at a time rather than moving backward and forwards between them.
* Manage your time carefully. Allow enough time for both Part C texts as the reading skills it requires are pretty considered and detailed.
* Read each question carefully, looking out for keywords.
* Consider each option and explain to yourself what makes each one right or wrong.
* If you are unsure about a question, consider moving on and returning to it later.
* Mark your answers on this Question Paper by filling in the circle using a 2B pencil.

Don’t:
* Get stuck on one question – keep going and come back to it at the end when you have answered all other questions. Marks are not deducted for incorrect answers.
* Fill in more than one circle on the Question Paper as the scanner will not be able to recognise your answer, and you will not receive any marks for that question.

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Asad Arora
Asad Arora
From the pen of Dr Asad Arora's journey around the universe.

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