OET Pattern 2026: Check Section-wise OET Test Structure Here

There are 4 sections of OET pattern:

OET Exam Pattern: Listening Section needs to be completed in 45 minutes

The Listening Section or Listening Subtest is divided into three parts. It consist of total of 42 question types that need to be solved within 45 min. OET listening section topics revolve around generic healthcare interests and are accessible to candidates across all professions.

OET Syllabus: Listening Section Pattern

The OET syllabus for OET Listening Subsection is divided into three parts:

• Part A Consultation Extracts: For first task, healthcare professionals would be required to identify specific information during a consultation. Candidates would be required to complete health professional notes from listening to two recorded health professional-patient consultations. [Duration: 5 minutes each]
• Part B Short Workplace Extracts: For the second task candidates would be required to listen to multiple recorded extracts that could range from team briefings, and handovers, to health professional-patient dialogues and answer one multiple-choice question for each extract. In the second part, the candidate is tested on identifying details of short extracts from the healthcare workplace. [Duration: 1 minute each]
• Part C: Presentation Extracts: The third and final task of the Listening section would require candidates to listen to multiple recorded presentations or interviews on a range of accessible healthcare topics and answer multiple-choice questions for each extract. [Duration: 5 minutes each]

Also Read:

• OET Sample Papers
• OET Test Centres

OET Exam Pattern: Reading Section [60 minutes]

The Reading Sub-section is divided into three parts that consist of a total of 42 question types that need to be solved in 60 minutes. OET Reading section topics revolve around generic healthcare interests and are accessible to candidates across all professions. topics revolving around section are as follows.

OET Syllabus: Reading Section Pattern

• Part A - Expeditious Reading Task: For the first task, candidates would be required to read four short essays and locate specific information from the texts. The essays provided to the candidates would be related to general healthcare topics. The questions could vary from matching the following, sentence completion to short answer questions. [Duration: 15 minutes]
• Part B - Careful Reading: For the second task, candidates would be given multiple short texts related to generic healthcare topics and candidates would be required to identify the main points and answer multiple-choice questions. The essays can include topics ranging from policy guidelines, hospital guides, manuals, emails, memos to internal communication.
• Part C - Careful Reading: For the third and last task, pertaining to the Reading section, candidates would be required to identify the detailed meaning of the topic provided to them and answer multiple questions for the same. [Part B and Part C Duration: 45 minutes]

OET Exam Pattern: Writing Section [40 minutes]

OET Syllabus: Writing Section Pattern: With a total duration of 40 minutes, Writing section requires candidate to write a letter, usually a letter of reference in his/her field of speciality. candidate would be provided with background information to his task which he may or may not incorporate into his reference letter. This particular task is profession-specific, hence while a nurse would have to write a letter specific to nursing a dentist would be required to write a reference letter specific to dentistry.

OET Exam Pattern: Speaking Section [20 minutes]

OET Syllabus: Speaking Section Pattern: With a total duration of 20 minutes, candidates are required to individually enact their professional role in real-life scenarios in a professional healthcare environment. In a profession-specific exercise, candidates are required to roleplay their profession while panellist plays a patient for first part, and roles are reversed in latter. Candidates are given 3 minutes to prepare for each side before start of each act. roleplays are basically based on mock workplace situations that reflect mood of healthcare environment. candidates would be given enough background information to prepare for their roleplay sessions.

OET Exam Pattern Layout

The OET exam is available in two formats: computer-based and paper-based. The exam pattern, question types, timing, and scoring are the same in both formats. The only difference is how you take the test.

You can choose either format based on your comfort level. Your OET score and acceptance remain the same in both test formats.

Start early. You should begin your preparation at least three to four months before OET exam date. A structured study plan helps you balance all sub-sections. Without feeling overwhelmed by the syllabus. Stick to it.

• Familiarize yourself with latest OET test pattern 2026 and question types.

• Solve official sample papers. Give yourself some time to finish this up.

• Identify your weak areas and spend extra time improving them.

• Always take expert guidance. It can be your senior student or any teacher.