How to Prepare for OET Reading
This guide explains OET Reading preparation for healthcare professionals: skimming and scanning technique, part-by-part time discipline, and handling distractors — then points you to free timed practice on OET Practice. Always confirm timing and rules on the official OET website — official requirements can change.
Skim for structure, scan for answers
Skim headings and first lines to map a text, then scan for the exact detail each question needs. Reading every word is the most common way candidates run out of time.
A time split that works
- Part A: about 15 minutes — speed over certainty.
- Part B: about 10 minutes — six quick decisions.
- Part C: about 20 minutes — slower, opinion-heavy items.
- Keep the remainder for review and transfers.
Part C: opinion and vague wording
Part C rewards matching the writer's viewpoint, not your clinical opinion. When stems feel vague, paraphrase the question in your own words, then find the sentence that answers that paraphrase. Recalibrate with official samples if third-party mocks feel much harder — samples vs third-party.
Beat the distractors
Wrong options usually contain text lifted straight from the passage but answering a different question. Match the option to what was asked, not to familiar words.
Next step
Practise against the clock in OET Reading practice.
Related guides
Sources
- Official OET website — Reading sub-test information.
Last reviewed: September 2026.