OET Reading Test Tips

 

OET Reading may sound simple but in reality it is not. Yes, it is going to be tough for you provided you follow basic things and make use of standard tips which can come in handy during your test. 

OET Reading is going to be of 60 minutes test and you are going to take three tasks. Yes, this test is divided into THREE PARTS. PART A, PART B and PART C.

PART A OF OET READING would require you to skim and scan the text perfectly well but under pressure.However, it is easy to score all of the questions right, if you try to get a grip of the test and it needs practice.  In PART B and PART C OF OET READING, you will have to look for specific information to answer the questions. This may require you to read a little bit more but you are expected to be quick on the draw.

 

PART A

You will be asked to take “SUMMARY COMPLETION TASK”

There will be summary as a question for you and you are required to fill the gap with appropriate words taken from small texts / passages / paragraphs etc.

Tips

  • First pay more attention to what the topic is. Yes, identify it well to understand more about the texts given (you may have to spend just 3-5 seconds on it, so, be quick to get it). The name of the topic may sometimes appear on top of the first piece of text too.
  • You may get different types of texts under the same topic which include but not just limited to research abstract, statistics, definitions, short case study, question and answers etc. There can be 3, 4 or in between 4-5 small pieces of texts for you. So, when you read them, get the general idea, identify the keywords, heading and subheadings.
  • Remember, you can make use of the synonyms or other equivalent words (which are close to meaning of given words) but words shall match well with the sentence structure given in the summary completion task.
  • And try to be more precise when you answer. You will have to make use of one, two, three or four words in order to fill out the given gaps in summary as a question.
  • You will have just 15 minutes to fill out 20 gaps. So, do not wait your time over one single question when you are stuck anywhere for the answer.

 

PART B and C

  • First read out the question and then look for the keywords in the paragraphs. Answer for first question will be in the first paragraph. So, do not be worried. Question and answers will be in the same order.
  • Do not assume that you will have to look for the keywords in the paragraphs in order to arrive at the answer. Well, no, this can’t always work for you. Because, often, words, phrases, or smaller sentences of the paragraphs with different words which can make you confused. So, what is the catch? If you do not find the keywords then focus more on alternative words or the other words which might be equivalent in meaning to the words being used in the sentences of the paragraphs or in the questions.
  •  And remember, you will have to have good command over medical vocabulary because the content of the test is not just going to be related to your profession. It can be related to anything with respect to medicine or medical technology. So, be prepared for it. Reading medical journals, improving medical vocabulary is the best way to build one’s own medical knowledge and vocabulary which will surely help a lot during the test.
  • And very important thing, you really do not have to spend more time on just one single question. Yes, you are expected to spend 45 minutes on these two parts of the test and you will have about 22 questions.

 

Effective way of preparing for the OET 2.0 READING would be taking more practice tests. Yes, this will help you understand more about the inherent difficulties in the test. This will also help you understand your own potential skills.