OET Pattern 2025: Check Section-wise OET Test Structure Here

Conducted by Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment Trust (CBLA), the OET exam pattern is divided into four sections: the OET Listening Section, the OET Reading Section, the OET Writing Section and the OET Speaking Section.

OET Exam Pattern: Listening Section [45 minutes]

The Listening Section or Listening Subtest is divided into three parts that consist of a total of 42 question types that need to be solved in 50 minutes. The OET listening section topics revolve around generic healthcare interests and are accessible to candidates across all professions. The total duration of the listening audio is about 40 minutes which includes recorded audio and pauses for candidates to utilize the time to write their answers. Candidates are required to listen to the recorded audio only once and write their answers during the pauses provided to them in between the audio. 

OET Syllabus: Listening Section Pattern
The OET syllabus for the OET Listening Sub-section is divided into three parts, they are:

• Part A – Consultation Extracts: For the first task, healthcare professionals would be required to identify specific information during a consultation. Candidates would be required to complete the health professional notes from listening to the 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. The OET Reading section topics revolve around generic healthcare interests and are accessible to candidates across all professions. The topics revolving around the section are as follows.

OET Syllabus: Reading Section Pattern

The OET syllabus for the OET Reading Sub-section is divided into three parts, they are:

• 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, the Writing section requires the candidate to write a letter, usually a letter of reference in his/her field of speciality. The 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 the panellist plays a patient for the first part, and the roles are reversed in the latter. Candidates are given 3 minutes to prepare for each side before the start of each act. The roleplays are basically based on mock workplace situations that reflect the mood of the healthcare environment. The candidates would be given enough background information to prepare for their roleplay sessions.

OET Exam Pattern Layout

Similar to other exam prep, students can choose to study on their own or join a coaching centre to prepare for the OET exam. It is important for candidates The decision lies entirely up to the candidate, as you need to see whether you have enough time and resources for both. Newer methods of studying are gaining popularity, like online GRE prep classes. It includes both self-studying and coaching class methods. You join a virtual classroom and you learn in the comfort of your home. To choose the best method on how to prepare for GRE you first need to look at your criteria and decide accordingly. Check out our OET preparation plan for beginners on our website. 

Candidates who have successfully appeared for their Occupational English Test (OET) can view their OET test scores after 16 business days from each test date. Candidates are required to enter their OET Login credentials to get access to their online profiles where their OET scores would be published. Furthermore, candidates can also download the hard copy of their OET statement of results from their online profile.

Also, Read

• OET to IELTS Score Conversion
• OET vs IELTS: Which is better?

Still, have doubts? Check out our OET frequently asked questions to understand the nuances of the OET exam pattern better.