How can I do well in my OET Reading Part B?

Before we answer that question, let's run through everything you need to know about the format for the OET Reading Part B Questions.

OET Reading Part B

Total time allowed: 45 minutes combined with Reading C

Recommended time spent: 10 - 12 minutes ( you’ll need around 35 mins for Part C)

You will get 6 short unconnected workplace texts 100 -150 words long. e.g.

• Chaperone Instructions on a noticeboard

• An email about the ‘safe use of steroids’

• Safety instructions from a manual about a piece of equipment

Multiple-choice questions: Each text has one question with three options (so 6 questions in total)

It might be an incomplete sentence and you have to complete it, or a question and you have to choose the best answer.

You will need to select the best option and shade in the letter corresponding to the correct option.

How to do well in OET Reading Part B

Here are some techniques to help you score well in your test:

Technique

To maximise your efficiency here (remember, just 2 mins per text and set of questions), forget anything you’ve learnt in IELTS prep about reading the questions first. Go straight to the text!

1. Read the context, text + understand.

2. Then look at the question prompt.

3. Pick out any qualifying words and absolutes - e.g. some, not, all must. Slow down here, and make sure you’ve underlined these.

4. Try to answer it yourself.

5. Read options and choose the best.

6. Go back to the text and check - eliminate / confirm.

How can I practise?

The good thing about the OET is that it is centred around workplace scenarios and language, so you can practise for your OET Reading Part B sub-test just by reading your workplace emails, looking at the notice board in your staffroom, and reading the user-manuals you get at work.

As you're doing so, try to think: who's written this? Why? What's the main message or the overall message? What do I have to do after reading it?

All these questions are the kinds of things you'll be looking for in the test.

To help you practise, we've put together some practice questions for you which you can watch on our YouTube page - and don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to us!

And to focus more on the techniques you need, take a look at our on-demand course available on Udemy. All the lessons are pre-recorded, so you can work at your own pace and at a time and space suitable for you. Here's a discount code for you.

Thanks for reading and see you again next time!