Top Tips for OET Preparation in 2025: How to Prepare for OET Exam

OET

Raj Vimal
Updated on Oct 27, 2025 15:15 IST

By Raj Vimal, Assistant Manager Editorial

The Occupational English Test is popular among aspiring medical professionals. It is conducted by CBLA or Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment, which is a venture between Cambridge English and Boxhill Institute. The OET Test is not one of the toughest exams, but you need to prepare hard for it. This English proficiency exam is way different from traditional proficiency exams like IELTS and Duolingo.

To smartly prepare for OET, start practising with mock exams. How will it help? Well, this smart decision will help you to understand the exam format and content of each section. Using official resources like the OET website and preparation courses to improve your language skills and familiarity with the exam.

OET Preparation Tips

Professionals who are looking to work or study in the healthcare sector in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Maldives, Malta, Namibia, New Zealand, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, and the United States of America are required to apply for the OET to prove their level of English proficiency and deliver superior healthcare.

Q:   Where can I find the best books for OET preparation?
A: 

There are multiple sources to buy authentic books for OET preparation. These sources provide reviews to help you decide which books are most preferred by aspirants. Here are some popular sources:

  1. Amazon
  2. Official OET website

  3. Flipkart

  4. Offline Book market.

Other than this, you can watch video reviews on YouTube to get genuine feedback from other aspirants about these books.

Q:   How can technology help in OET exam preparation?
A: 

Today, technology can be your perfect partner during exam preparation. In this case,  you can use several online platforms where you can appear in the OET practice test which will give you detailed feedback to identify areas for improvement. 

Other than this, multiple language learning apps and online courses are available. Some are free and many of them offer their premium services at minimal fees. Also, you can get personalized support in the form of virtual tutors. In short, technology is helpful for OET preparation.

Q:   Can Indian students prepare for OET exam at home without tuitions?
A: 

Yes, it is possible that students prepare for Occupational English Test without attending formal home tuition. However, in this case, you need to be discplined and focused during your preparation. Here are some tips to prepare for OET exam without coaching:

  • Practice question paper or sample paper regularly
  • Create realistic study goals and follow it strictly.
  • Use online study materials
  • Take the guidance of your senior students. 
  • Watch videos on OET preparation strategies and language skills.
Table of contents
  • Top 5 OET Preparation Tips
  • OET Preparation Material
  • OET Exam Pattern/ OET Syllabus 2025
  • OET Results 2025
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Top 5 OET Preparation Tips

Below are top 5 OET preparation hacks for people who want do well in OET exam

  • Begin Early: If you want score good in OET exam start early. This helps you know the OET syllabus and spend time on all parts of OET test.
  • Be Honest With Yourself: You need be honest about your English. OET exam is hard and checks English proficiency of medical people. Know your weak points and improve them. Going unprepared can give bad result.
  • Identify Weak Sections: OET exam has many sections. Find section you weak in and practice more. This help you perform better and keep balance in OET preparation.
  • OET Practice Papers: Solve many OET practice papers. They help you check performance before exam and improve skills.
  • Apply Only When Ready: OET exam is very important because it show your English skills. Don’t rush OET registration. Only apply when you feel ready and confident to do best.

Shiksha Poll Analysis

We did a poll and asked OET aspirants “Which part of OET exam is hardest?” 50% said OET Speaking is hardest, 22% said Reading, 11% said Writing, 17% said Listening is most difficult.

Here is Shiksha Poll Break Down for reference

OET Shiksha Poll
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How do I download OET sample papers?
A: 

You can easily get the PDFs of OET exam sample paper from the official website of Occupational English Test. Look for the “Ready” section. There you will get the skill-wise sample papers for practice. Students can download the sample papers available on other websites also. Always verify source of the sample papers to make sure they are authentic and up-to-date.

Q:   Is it tough to solve OET exam question paper?
A: 

OET exam assesses the English Proficiency of a candidate. The difficulty level of the OET Test question paper depends on your proficiency and understanding of medical terms. By solving sample paper regularly, you can understand the exam format and question type easily. This will eventually help you in the exam.

Q:   How many hours would require to cover OET Exam syllabus?
A: 

The time required for OET exam preparation depends on your proficiency in the English language. If you have knowledge of your medical studies then you can cover the OET syllabus in 4 to 6 weeks. During this period, you need to dedicate your 1 to 2 hours daily.

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OET Preparation Material

Candidates are advised to use resources available from trusted sources and always refer to the official OET website: https://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/ for the best OET study material for the OET exam. 

OET Sample Test/ Practice Papers

Aspirants who want to pursue OET are advised to solve as many OET Practice Tests as possible. Solving OET practice papers would provide candidates with an extra edge to be able to perform well in their OET examination. Solving OET sample tests and practice papers gives you real exam experience, helps you understand the question patterns, improves time management, and builds confidence.

Candidates are advised to use the OET practice material available on the official website to be able to better their performance at the exam. It also shows your weak areas so you can focus your preparation better

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Where can I find official OET sample papers?
A: 

You can find official OET sample papers on the official OET website. There you can get section wise practice tests for all four sub-tests (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) in the "Preparation" section. You can download it on one click and start practicing with it.

Q:   Where can I find the best books for OET preparation?
A: 

There are multiple sources to buy authentic books for OET preparation. These sources provide reviews to help you decide which books are most preferred by aspirants. Here are some popular sources:

  1. Amazon
  2. Official OET website

  3. Flipkart

  4. Offline Book market.

Other than this, you can watch video reviews on YouTube to get genuine feedback from other aspirants about these books.

Q:   What are the best books to prepare for OET?
A: 

Here are some of the famous preparation books for Occupational English Test:

  1. The Official Guide to PET (2nd Edition)
  2. OET Pulse
  3. Official OET Ready – Online Course for Medicine
  4. OET Reading & Listening Skills Builder
  5. Free Writing Review by Medical English Plus

These books are easily available in the online or offline stores.

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OET Exam Pattern/ OET Syllabus 2025

The OET exam is made for 12 healthcare professions like Occupational Therapy, Dentistry, Nursing, Radiography, Veterinary Science, Medicine, Speech Pathology, Physiotherapy, Dietetics, Podiatry, Pharmacy, and Optometry.

OET or Occupational English Test checks all four language skills. It focus on communication in healthcare. People who want take the OET exam need to do the OET exam format.

OET Exam Pattern/ Sections

Test Duration

OET Description

Listening

45 minutes

The Listening subsection is divided into 3 parts that test the candidates' listening capabilities in various formats.

Reading

60 minutes

The Reading subsection is divided into 3 parts that test the candidates' reading capabilities in various formats.

Writing

45 minutes

The Writing subsection is profession-specific and requires candidates to write a letter of reference. 

Speaking

20 minutes

The Writing subsection is profession-specific and requires candidates to enact a roleplay from the healthcare environment.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the pattern for OET exam?
A: 

Occupational English Test, the duration of the OET exam is 2 Hours and 45 Minutes. Here is the detailed OET exam pattern for 2025:

OET Pattern 2025
Reading
  • No. of Questions: 42
  • Time: 60 Minutes 
WritingTime: 45 Minutes
SpeakingTime: 20 Minutes
Listening
  • No. of Questions: 42
  • Time: 40 Minutes 
Q:   What is the syllabus for OET exam?
A: 

The OET exam syllabus is divided separately to assess listening, writing, speaking and reading sections. Here we have mentioned to give you an idea:

OET Syllabus 2025
Listening
  • Consultation extracts
  • Short workplace extracts
  • Presentation or interview extracts
Reading
  • Expeditious reading task
  • Short workplace extracts
  • Longer articles
Speaking
  • Read a role-play card given to you during the exam and maintain a conversation with the interlocutor for at least 5 minutes
Writing
  • Write: Write a letter or referral letter or related letters.
  • Read and Write: After reading a case for 5 minutes, write 40 minutes about the case.
Q:   What are the different sections of the OET and their durations?
A: 

The detailed OET Exam Pattern can be found in the article above. OET exam pattern at a glance:

OET Exam PatternTest DurationOET Description
Listening45 minutesThe Listening subsection is divided into 3 parts that test the candidates listening capabilities in various formats.
Reading60 minutesThe Reading subsection is divided into 3 parts that test the candidates reading capabilities in various formats.
Writing45 minutesThe Writing subsection is profession-specific and requires candidates to write a letter of reference.
Speaking20 minutesThe Writing subsection is profession-specific and requires candidates to enact a roleplay from the healthcare environment.
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OET Results 2025

Candidates who have successfully appeared for their OET can expect their OET Scores to be generated approximately within 16 working days from the day of each test. Students who appear for their OET would be graded on a scale of 0-500 in ten points increments. The numerical score would be further mapped to a separate letter grade for each subtest with (alphabet A) denoting highest to (alphabet E) denoting lowest. There is no overall OET grade.

Still, have doubts? Check out our OET FAQs.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is a good score in OET exam?
A: 

The Occupational English Test (OET) does not have a good score benchmark. A good OET score is generally considered to be 350 or above in each of the four sub-tests (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking) for the best opportunities. The specific score requirements can vary depending on the country, healthcare board, and profession.

Q:   How are the OET scores graded?
A: 

Students who appear for their OET would be graded on a scale of 0-500 in ten points increments. The numerical score would be further mapped to a separate letter grade for each subtest with (alphabet A) denoting the highest to (alphabet E) denoting the lowest. There is no overall OET grade.

Q:   When are OET scores available to test-takers?
A: 

Candidates who have successfully taken the OET can expect their scores to be released approximately 16 working days after the test date. The official score release dates are announced by the test conducting body on the OET's official website.

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Comments

(28)

B

Baljeet Kaur

9 months ago

Hi Raj Vimal, there is also a centre in Uttar Pradesh - Lucknow Teleperformance - Shivani Public School, Sector O, Mansarovar Yojna, (Opposite Punjab National Bank) Shaheed Path, Kanpur Road, Lucknow - 226012

Reply to Baljeet Kaur

Hola, teniendo nacionalidad y residencia primaria de Cuba, si voy a un país donde se realice el exámen puedo hacer el OET?

Reply to Indira Borrego Castillo

A

Adil N

a year ago

I always struggle with the reading part- and be careful of scum and scammers who Are roaming around Facebook trying to get your money and say they can make sure to get a pass for you! I am doing this test for a 3rd time, as I have always failed on the reading section. Good Luck and I hope this OET r

...Read more

Reply to Adil N

A

Abhi Yadav

a year ago

any one who score 125 score in 2024 please share me

Reply to Abhi Yadav

J

Jessica Jacob

a year ago

I have written on April 6 till now I haven't received result and it's under final quality assurance check

Reply to Jessica Jacob