Introduction
The OET Reading test assesses your ability to read and understand healthcare-related texts. The texts in the test are taken from various sources, such as patient leaflets, clinical guidelines, letters, reports, and other healthcare-related documents.
OET Reading Score Description
| Band | Range | Description |
A | 450-500 | Fluent reading and comprehension |
| B | 400-459 | Good reading and comprehension |
| C+ | 350-399 | Satisfactory reading and comprehension |
| C | 300-349 | Inadequate reading and comprehension |
D | 200-299 | Very inadequate reading and comprehension |
| E | 0-199 | Extremely inadequate reading and comprehension |
The OET Reading test assesses healthcare-related reading skills in three sections over 75 minutes.
Part A: Reading aloud (10 minutes)
Part B: Multiple choice (35 minutes)
Part C: Extended matching task (30 minutes)
OET Reading Part A Scoring System
Part A assessment includes reading a passage silently for 30 seconds and then reciting it for 45 seconds. Pronunciation and fluency will be evaluated and scored.
In OET Reading Part A, your score is determined based on your ability to comprehend and interpret healthcare-related texts accurately. The scoring system in OET is based on a band scale from 0 to 500, with each band representing a specific level of proficiency.
Your performance in OET Reading Part A is assessed by understanding the main ideas, details, and specific information presented in the texts. The questions test your skills in finding essential information, making assumptions, and reaching conclusions based on the provided texts.
To achieve a higher score in OET Reading Part A, it is vital to demonstrate a firm grasp of the texts and provide accurate answers to the multiple-choice questions. This involves careful reading, effective skimming and scanning techniques, and a solid understanding of the healthcare context.
Each question carries equal weight, and there is no negative marking for incorrect answers. Therefore, it is advisable to attempt all the questions, even if you need clarification on the solution. Eliminating incorrect options and making educated guesses increases your chances of selecting the correct answer.
The final score you receive in OET Reading Part A will be determined based on various factors, including the number of correct answers, the overall accuracy of your responses, and the difficulty level of the questions.
To maximize your score
- Practice regularly
- Familiarise yourself with the OET Reading format
- Develop compelling reading and comprehension strategies.
- Building a solid medical vocabulary
- Terminology foundation will enhance your performance in understanding and interpreting texts.
Remember, the OET Reading Part A score is just one component of your overall OET score. To succeed in the exam, it is vital to devote time and effort to all sections, including Listening, Writing, and Speaking.
OET Reading Part B Scoring System
The OET Reading Part B scoring system is as follows:
- Each question is worth 1 mark.
- There are 6 questions in total.
- The maximum score for Part B is 6 marks.
- Your score for Part B will be converted to a grade on a scale of A to C.
The grade boundaries are as follows:
A: 5-6 marks
B: 3-4 marks
C: 0-2 marks
The OET Reading Part B scoring system is designed to assess your ability to:
Read and understand short texts
Identify the main points of a text
Make inferences from a text
Evaluate the accuracy and relevance of information in a text
To do well in OET Reading Part B, it is important to:
Read the texts carefully and thoroughly
Identify the main points of each text
Make inferences from the texts
Evaluate the accuracy and relevance of information in the texts
You can improve your skills for OET Reading Part B by:
Reading a variety of English texts
Practicing answering multiple-choice questions
Working with a qualified OET tutor
The OET Reading Part B is a challenging but manageable exam part. Follow the tips above, you can improve your chances of success.
OET Part C Scoring system
The OET Reading Part C scoring system is based on 16 marks. Each of the eight questions in Part C is worth 2 marks, for a total of 16 marks. To pass Part C, you must score at least 8 marks.
The questions in Part C are multiple-choice questions that test your ability to understand the two texts’ main ideas, details, and inferences.
The questions are designed to assess your reading skills in the following areas:
- Gist: This type of question asks you to identify the main idea of a paragraph or section of text.
- Detail: This type of question requires you to locate particular details within the given text.
- Inference: This question type requires you to draw a logical conclusion from the information presented in the text.
Read questions before reading texts to identify relevant information. Underline or highlight keywords and phrases to aid recall. Re-read texts if unsure. OET Reading Part C tests healthcare text comprehension and interpretation. Following the strategies above can increase your chances of success in Part C.
