Parts B and C of OET Reading are where most marks are won or lost. Part A tests speed; Parts B and C test comprehension, inference, and critical reading — skills that require strategy, not just vocabulary. The texts are adapted from clinical journals, health policy documents, and medical research, making them denser than what many doctors encounter in daily practice. This guide breaks down both parts with targeted strategies.
Part B: Six Short Texts (20 Minutes Recommended)
Each text is 100 to 150 words — a workplace memo, policy extract, clinical guideline summary, or internal communication. Each has one multiple-choice question with three options.
Strategy
- Read the question first, then the text. Knowing what you are looking for makes a 150-word text much faster to process.
- Identify the question type. Common types include: main purpose of the text, what action the reader should take, what is implied but not stated, and who the text is intended for.
- For 'main purpose' questions, focus on the first and last sentences. These usually contain the purpose statement and the call to action.
- Eliminate confidently wrong options first. With three options, eliminating one gives you 50-50 odds.
Part B should take no more than 20 minutes. These are the quickest points in the Reading section — do not overthink them.
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Part C: Two Long Texts (25 Minutes Recommended)
Each text is 600 to 800 words — an adapted clinical research article, a health policy analysis, or a discussion of medical practice trends. Each has eight multiple-choice questions with four options.
Reading the Text
- First pass (2 to 3 minutes): Skim the entire text. Read the first sentence of each paragraph, any headings, and the conclusion. This gives you the overall argument and structure.
- Do not read every word on the first pass. You will return to specific sections when answering questions.
- Note the author's position. Part C frequently asks about the author's opinion, attitude, or recommendation. Look for qualifying language: 'however,' 'although,' 'it could be argued,' 'the evidence strongly suggests.'
Answering Questions
- Work through questions in order. They generally follow the text's sequence, so you move forward through the text rather than jumping around.
- Go back to the text for every answer. Do not rely on your memory of the skim — re-read the specific paragraph.
- Watch for distractor options. A common trap is an answer that is factually true based on the text but does not answer the specific question. Read the question stem very carefully.
- Vocabulary-in-context questions: The answer is always determined by how the word is used in that specific sentence. Ignore the word's general dictionary definition if it does not fit the context.
- Inference questions ('What can be inferred...'): The answer is not stated directly in the text but is logically supported by what is stated. Look for what the text implies, not what it says explicitly.
Time Management
The 15-20-25 split (Part A: 15 min, Part B: 20 min, Part C: 25 min) gives you roughly 12.5 minutes per Part C text. Spend 2 to 3 minutes skimming, then 9 to 10 minutes on the eight questions (about 75 seconds per question).
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If a question is taking longer than 90 seconds, mark your best guess and move on. You can return to it if you finish early. Spending three minutes on one question means running out of time for the final questions — which are often easier.
Practice Tips
- Do Part B and Part C together in 45 minutes (the time you have after Part A). This builds realistic pacing.
- After each practice, categorise your errors: Did you misread the question? Misunderstand the text? Fall for a distractor? Run out of time? Each error type requires a different fix.
- Read clinical research abstracts and health policy articles regularly. The BMJ, The Lancet, and NEJM all publish open-access articles that build the reading stamina Part C demands.
Parts B and C reward strategic reading over exhaustive reading. Skim for structure, read questions carefully, return to the text for evidence, and manage your time ruthlessly. Doctors who practise this approach consistently score Grade B within four weeks.