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United Kingdom · English test

OET Reading

60 minutes, 42 questions, three parts. The Reading sub-test of the Occupational English Test (OET) is the same for all 12 professions, and its first part runs to its own clock: after 15 minutes the Part A papers are collected. OET Reading then gives you 45 minutes for Parts B and C together.

  • 15 minutesPart A, collected before Part B
  • 42Questions across three parts
  • FourOptions in each Part C question
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Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

What’s in each part of OET Reading

PartTextsQuestions
AFour short extracts from healthcare information; matching, short answers and sentence completion20
BSix short workplace texts; one three-option question each6
CTwo extracts from longer healthcare articles; eight four-option questions each16

Part A tests fast reading to find and note specific information. Part C tests main points, detailed meaning, attitude and opinion, and vocabulary in context.

OET Reading rules that cost marks

  • In Part A, use exactly the same form of the word or phrase as the text.
  • Abbreviations only count if they’re in the text.
  • A misspelled answer gets no marks. British and American spellings, such as foetus and fetus, are both accepted.
  • There’s no extra checking time at the end, and Part A can’t be checked later because it’s collected.

How many correct answers do you need in OET Reading?

There’s no fixed number. Each answer is one mark out of 42, converted to the 500 scale, and OET says grade B (350) typically takes at least 30. The exact cut moves a little because each test is written fresh. The score you need depends on who you’re applying to; Australia’s National Boards, for example, ask for 360 in Reading.

Australian scores →

OET reading samples and materials

Each official sample test includes a full Reading paper with answers. On paper it’s a booklet where you write Part A answers in the spaces and shade the circles for Parts B and C; on computer it’s on screen.

OET sample exam packs →OET Writing →
Sources: OET · Ahpra and 2 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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Sub-tests

ListeningReadingWritingSpeaking

Who accepts OET

OET in the UKOET in AustraliaOET for nursesOET Medicine