The Occupational English Test Reading, commonly known as OET Reading, is a sub-test that assesses the reading comprehension skills of healthcare professionals in a medical context. Candidates who aim to work or study health-related courses, especially in English-speaking nations, must appear for this exam. Here, read the blog as it covers a detailed overview of the OET reading subtest, its format, scoring system, OET Reading sample test, along with answers, and expert tips to help you prepare effectively. So, let’s begin!
Table of Contents
In OET Reading, you will find contexts, language, and texts that are common to the healthcare workplace. The tests are used to evaluate the reading skills that you actually require at your workplace. It is a 60-minute exam divided into three parts (A, B, and C) and includes a total of 42 questions. Moreover, all OTE professionals take the same reading test. The OET reading subtest evaluates skills like locating information, understanding main ideas, identifying details, and recognizing the author's tone and perspective.
The tasks include texts from medical research articles, journals, patient leaflets, policies, guidelines, and patients' medical history. Basically, anything that is relevant to healthcare and medicine. Reading OET ensures that the healthcare professional possesses the necessary skills, along with the ability to carry out safe and effective practice.
The Reading OET has three parts - part A, part B, and part C, and a total of 42 questions for which the scores are converted out of 500. Here is a breakdown of the Reading OET
exam format in the table below:
| Part A: Expedited Reading | Part B: Workplace Communication | Part C: Understanding Long Texts |
|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes | 10 minutes | 35 minutes |
| Four short texts on a single healthcare topic are presented. | Six short workplace-related extracts, such as policy documents or hospital guidelines, are presented. | Two longer professional-grade articles are presented. |
| 20 fill-in-the-gap, short-answer, and matching questions assess the ability to skim and scan for specific information. | One multiple-choice question is asked for each extract. | Eight multiple-choice questions are asked for each text. |
In the workplace, you may quickly need to find relevant information when dealing with patients, which is why learning OET test format is crucial. Moreover, the test teaches you the essential skill of quickly scanning the text to locate specific information and then reading it more carefully.
Reading OET part A consists of four short texts, for example, dosage charts, instructions, guidelines, and treatment pathways. There are a total of 20 questions for which you will be provided with 15 minutes. Each correct response will help you score one mark. Besides, there is no negative marking, thus, candidates must attempt every question.
You will be given 45 minutes to solve OET reading subtest parts B and C, together. Essentially, part B takes 10 minutes and part C takes about 35 minutes.
Part B includes typical workplace texts such as extracts from policies, guidelines, memos, and emails. There are about six short texts in this part, along with one multiple-choice question per text.
Lastly, OET reading part C consists of two long texts of about 800 words each, with a total of eight multiple-choice questions per text. These texts could be similar to journal articles or research.
The OET reading marking criteria is out of 42 marks, with each correct answer earning one mark. The test is divided into three parts:
Further, the raw score (number of correct answers out of 42) is converted to a scaled score between 0 and 500. This scaled score determines your OET letter grade, which is what most healthcare boards use for eligibility. Look at the OET reading score chart below for reference:
| Raw Score (out of 42) | OET Grade | Scaled Score (approx.) | Description | IELTS Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37–42 | A | 450–500 | Very high-level performance | 8.0–9.0 |
| 30–36 | B | 350–440 | High standard – eligible for registration | 7.0–7.5 |
| 23–29 | C+ | 300–340 | Competent but not sufficient for most boards | 6.5 |
| 16–22 | C | 200–290 | Moderate ability | 5.5–6.0 |
| 0–15 | D/E | 0–190 | Insufficient ability | 0–5.0 |
Note: There is no overall OET grade; each sub-test (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking) is graded separately. Moreover, the OET score chart depicts the calculated scores by a confidential formula, but the above table provides the typical conversion used by most preparation providers.
The OET Reading sample will help you understand the format and pattern more clearly. After reading the sample questions, you will get an idea of how to solve questions during the actual test. Besides, an OET reading answer sheet PDF is also included below, with answers provided for all three parts.
Using OET reading tips will not only help you achieve a higher score on the test but also understand medical texts more effectively and improve your overall reading comprehension skills in a healthcare context. This will help you beyond exams. Moreover, building strategies such as time management, comprehension, and interpretation techniques will help you gain confidence. Here are some OET reading tips:
To wrap up, the blog covered everything about OET Reading subtest, its format, scoring system, sample, along with the answers, and tips. The OET reading tasks assess a healthcare professional's ability to understand and interpret information from various healthcare-related texts, a skill essential for daily practice. Moreover, it ensures effective and safe patient care. However, consistent practice is key to improving your reading skills and OET reading score. Thus, before appearing for the exam, you must prepare well. Furthermore, you may even seek expert help, they will guide you regarding OET eligibility, syllabus, pattern, and more.
1. Can I Complete the OET Reading Part A in 20 Minutes?
No, OET Reading subtest part A is designed to be completed within 15 minutes beyond which you will not be able to return to this part. The OET Reading test in total is 60 minutes, with 15 minutes dedicated specifically to part A.
2. How to Prepare for OET Reading?
To prepare for the OET Reading test, you must do the following:
3. Is OET Reading Very Difficult?
Although this test takes a lot of practice, it is not very difficult once you get used to the format and pattern. However, you must manage your time well in the exam. It is really important in the OET reading subtest, and you shouldn't waste even one minute.
4. What Is a Good Score for OET Reading Test?
A good score on the OET Reading test is generally considered to be 350 or above, corresponding to a Grade B, in each of the four sub-tests (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking).
We are available in :
BangaloreAhmedabadJaipurHyderabadKeralaPuneChandigarhMumbaiGurgaonChennaiKolkataTrivandrumNoidaKochiCalicutKottayamKollamThrissurIndoreUdaipurdisclaimer:logos and other registered trademarks of universities used on this platform are held by their respective owners. Gradding does not claim ownership or association on them, and their use is purely for informational and illustrative purposes.
