Many OET candidates know enough English for grade B but lose marks to the clock: an unfinished Part A, a letter with no time to check, a role-play that runs out before the last task. This page gives a time plan and practical tips for each sub-test.

On test day

On paper, Listening, Reading and Writing are taken on the same day, one after the other. Speaking may be on the same day or a different day, depending on the venue and format. Arrive early with the identification you registered with, and check your booking details for what you can bring into the room.

Listening (about 40 minutes)

You can’t control the pace of the recording, so time management here means using the pauses well.

• Before each Part A extract, read the note headings and predict what kind of word fits each gap: a symptom, a drug, a number, a time period.
• Don’t stop on a missed answer. Leave it, follow the next heading, and fill the gap at the end with your best guess.
• In Parts B and C, read the question and options in the pause before each recording, and underline the key words.
• On paper, use the two minutes at the end to check spelling in Part A and make sure every question has an answer.

Reading (60 minutes)

Part	Questions	Suggested time
A	20	15 minutes (fixed: papers are collected)
B	6	About 10 minutes
C	16 (two texts)	About 35 minutes, roughly 17 per text

• Part A is a scanning task. Read the questions first, then look for headings, numbers and key terms in the four texts. You don’t have time to read every text from start to finish.
• Copy words exactly from the texts in Part A, and check spelling: a misspelled answer scores nothing.
• Don’t spend too long on Part B. Each extract has one question. If you’re stuck, choose the best option, mark it, and come back if you have time.
• Answer everything. There’s no penalty for wrong answers in any part.

Try the timings with the OET Reading practice.

Writing (45 minutes)

Stage	Time
Read the case notes and task, decide what’s relevant	5 minutes (reading time)
Plan paragraphs	About 3 to 5 minutes
Write	About 25 to 30 minutes
Check	About 5 minutes

• Use the reading time to decide your purpose and who the reader is. Note which information they need and which you’ll leave out.
• Plan before you write. A quick paragraph plan (purpose, background, current condition, social, request) saves time later.
• Aim for about 180 to 200 words in the body. Writing much more takes longer and usually adds irrelevant detail.
• Check the facts. Drug names, doses, dates and the patient’s name must match the notes.

See the full sample in the OET referral letter guide.

Speaking (about 20 minutes)

• Use all three minutes of preparation. Read every task on the card, number them in the order you’ll cover them, and note a few useful phrases.
• Open well. Greet the patient, introduce yourself and ask an open question. A good opening sets up the whole conversation.
• Cover every task, but listen first. The patient’s responses may change the order. Respond to what they say before moving on.
• Watch the five minutes. If you’ve spent three minutes on the first task, move on. You’ll be marked on structure, and assessors notice when tasks are missed.
• Summarise and close. A quick summary and “Is there anything else you’d like to ask?” shows good structure.

More in the OET Speaking role-play guide.

Preparing in the weeks before

1. Take a timed practice test early. It shows which sub-test is your weakest and how far you are from your target.
2. Focus on your lowest score. Regulators require a minimum in every sub-test, so one weak sub-test can hold back your registration.
3. Practise spelling of medical words. Drug names, conditions and anatomy come up in Listening and Reading Part A.
4. Write a letter every few days. Time yourself and compare with model answers.
5. Record your role-plays. Listening back helps you hear hesitation, jargon and missed tasks.

For format details and scores, read the OET test guide and OET score requirements by country.