Time is the biggest enemy in OET Reading. You have 60 minutes for 42 questions across three very different parts. Many nurses report running out of time in Parts B and C because they spent too long on Part A. This guide breaks down each part, provides a time allocation strategy, and gives you the reading techniques that work under pressure.
Understanding the Three Parts
Part A: Expeditious Reading (15 Minutes Recommended)
You receive a booklet containing four short healthcare texts on a common theme — for example, different hospital policies on infection control, or patient information leaflets about diabetes management. You then answer 20 questions that require you to find specific information quickly across these texts.
Part A does not test deep comprehension. It tests your ability to locate information fast. You are scanning for specific facts: a number, a name, a procedure, a timeframe. The texts are short, and the questions are designed to be answered in under a minute each if you know where to look.
Part B: Short Reading Comprehension (20 Minutes Recommended)
Six short texts (approximately 100 to 150 words each), each with one multiple-choice question. The texts are typically workplace communications — memos, policy extracts, email summaries, or short clinical guidelines. The questions test your ability to identify the main purpose, key message, or a specific detail.
Part B is the most straightforward section. Each question is independent, so even if you struggle with one text, it does not affect the others. Read the question first, then scan the text for the answer.
Part C: Extended Reading Comprehension (25 Minutes Recommended)
Two longer texts (approximately 600 to 800 words each), each with eight multiple-choice questions. The texts are typically adapted from healthcare journals, clinical research summaries, or health policy documents. Questions test comprehension, inference, author attitude, vocabulary in context, and the ability to distinguish main ideas from supporting details.
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Part C is the most demanding section. The texts are dense, the questions require careful reading, and the wrong answer options are often close to the correct one. This is where most marks are lost and where your time management strategy matters most.
The 15-20-25 Time Strategy
Allocate your 60 minutes as follows:
- Part A: 15 minutes maximum. This gives you 45 seconds per question. Do not read the texts from start to finish — scan for keywords from the questions.
- Part B: 20 minutes. This gives you approximately 3 minutes per text and question. Read the question first, then skim the text.
- Part C: 25 minutes. This gives you roughly 12 minutes per text (6 texts x 8 questions = approximately 1.5 minutes per question). Spend 3 minutes reading the text and 9 minutes answering questions.
If you finish Part A in under 15 minutes, bank the extra time for Part C. Do not use spare Part A time to second-guess Part B answers — invest it where it matters most.
Part A: Skimming and Scanning Techniques
- Read the question first, then search the texts. Do not read all four texts before looking at the questions. This saves enormous time.
- Use headings and subheadings as signposts. Most Part A texts are structured with clear section headings — use them to jump to the relevant section.
- Look for keywords. If the question asks about 'dosage for elderly patients,' scan for 'elderly,' 'geriatric,' 'over 65,' or 'dosage' — not for a general understanding of the text.
- Write short answers. Part A answers are usually one to three words. Do not write sentences.
- If you cannot find an answer within 45 seconds, make your best guess and move on. You can return to it if you have time.
Part B: Question-First Strategy
- Read the question before the text. Knowing what you are looking for makes the short text much easier to process.
- Identify the question type. Is it asking for the main purpose of the text, a specific detail, or what action the reader should take? Each type requires a different focus.
- Eliminate obviously wrong options. In a three-option MCQ, eliminating one option gives you a 50-50 chance even if you are unsure.
Part C: Deep Reading Under Pressure
- First read: Skim the text in 2 to 3 minutes. Read the first sentence of each paragraph, the final paragraph, and any headings or highlighted terms. This gives you the overall structure and argument.
- Then work through the questions. For each question, go back to the relevant section of the text. Do not rely on your memory of the skim — re-read the specific paragraph.
- Watch for distractor answers. Part C options often include statements that are true based on the text but do not answer the specific question asked. Read the question stem carefully.
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- Vocabulary-in-context questions: The answer is always determined by how the word is used in the specific sentence, not its general dictionary meaning.
- Author attitude questions: Look for qualifying language — 'suggests,' 'appears to,' 'remains unclear,' 'compelling evidence' — that signals the author's position.
Common Mistakes
- Spending too long on Part A: If you spend 25 minutes on Part A, you only have 35 minutes for 22 questions in Parts B and C. This almost always results in rushing Part C and losing marks.
- Reading every word: OET Reading rewards strategic reading, not thorough reading. Skim, scan, and read deeply only where the questions demand it.
- Changing answers: Unless you have clear evidence that your first answer is wrong, do not change it. First instincts are correct more often than second guesses under time pressure.
- Leaving questions blank: There is no penalty for wrong answers. Always select an option, even if you are guessing.
Practice Plan
Complete one full Reading test (all three parts, 60 minutes) every other day for two weeks before your exam. After each test, review your timing: did you stick to 15-20-25? Review every wrong answer and identify whether you made a comprehension error or a time management error. With consistent practice, most nurses can bring their Part A time down to 12 to 13 minutes, giving them extra time where it counts — in Part C.