OET Reading tips: section-by-section strategy
OET Reading is where most candidates run out of time. Part A is the killer. Section-specific strategy to get through at Grade B pace.
OET Reading is the second most-failed sub-test (after Speaking). The format is fixed, the question types are predictable, but the time pressure is brutal — especially in Part A. This guide is the playbook for each part, plus what to drill if your weekly practice scores are flat.
The format, briefly
OET Reading is 60 minutes total, 42 questions across three parts:
| Part | Time guide | Format | Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | 15 min | Four short healthcare texts; rapid-find | 20 |
| Part B | 15 min | Six short workplace texts, MCQ | 6 |
| Part C | 30 min | Two long texts, MCQ | 16 |
Total: 42 questions in 60 minutes — about 85 seconds per question on average, but the time pressure is unevenly distributed.
Part A — the killer
The most-failed part of Reading. Four short, dense healthcare texts (drug formularies, clinical guidelines, screening tools, etc.) and 20 questions in 15 minutes. That's 45 seconds per question.
The trap
Candidates try to read each text. You can't. There isn't time. Part A rewards rapid scanning and information retrieval, not comprehension.
Strategy
- Read questions first, then scan texts. The questions are in three groups: short-answer matching, sentence completion, brief notes.
- For short-answer: skim the four texts for keyword matches. The answer is usually a single phrase you can lift directly.
- For sentence completion: the gap is usually 1–2 words. Find the relevant text by topic, then locate the exact phrase.
- For brief notes: the notes have headings that match parts of the texts. Match the heading to the text, then find the specific detail.
The most common Part A mistake
Reading texts in order instead of jumping to the relevant one based on the question. The texts are not in question order. Question 1 might be about Text C; Question 2 about Text A.
Pacing
- 15 seconds: scan all four headings/titles to know what each text covers
- 30 minutes: stop yourself mid-question if you've spent more than 60 seconds. Mark it, move on.
- Reserve 2 minutes at the end for double-checks and your skipped questions.
Part B — short extracts, multiple choice
Six short workplace texts (memos, policy excerpts, patient leaflets) with one MCQ each. 15 minutes total, so ~2.5 minutes per question.
Strategy
- Read the question + options first.
- Read the extract once, focused.
- Most distractors are plausible-looking but use a word from the text in the wrong context. The right answer is usually a paraphrase.
What examiners are testing
The gist of each extract: its main purpose, the intended audience, the key action it's communicating. Not the fine detail.
Part C — long texts, multiple choice
Two long texts (each ~800 words) with 8 questions each. 30 minutes total. About 2 minutes per question including reading time.
Strategy
- Skim the text once for structure (5 min). Note paragraph topics.
- Read questions in order — they're sequenced to follow the text.
- For each question, scan back to the relevant paragraph, read carefully, choose.
Question types in Part C
- Detail questions: scan for the specific fact
- Inference questions: "What does the writer imply / suggest?" — careful, the answer is what's IMPLIED, not stated
- Attitude questions: "How does the writer feel about X?" — look for hedging, modality, evaluative language
- Vocabulary in context: "What does complacency most likely mean here?" — read the surrounding sentence
The 6-week training plan
Weeks 1–2: One Part A every day. Time it strictly. Goal: 18+/20 correct in 15 minutes.
Weeks 3–4: Add Part B every other day; do Part A 4x/week. Track which question types you miss most often.
Weeks 5–6: Add Part C. Full Reading mock weekly. Focus mid-week drilling on weakest part.
What kills time on test day
Three things:
- Re-reading paragraphs. If you didn't find the answer in one read, mark and skip.
- Hesitating between two close options. After 30 seconds of agonising, guess and move on.
- Trying to confirm an answer with a second text source. Trust your first match.
Common mistakes
- Reading in order. Especially in Part A, where you should jump.
- Vocabulary panic. If a clinical term is unfamiliar, the question rarely depends on knowing it — context will carry you.
- Skipping the time budget. Without one, you'll run out of time on Part C.
Next steps
- Foundation: What is OET?
- Sister guide: OET Listening tips
- Plan your study: How to prepare for OET
When Reading is steady at Grade B and Speaking is the bottleneck, download OET Live.
