The Reading sub-test is often thought to be the hardest of the four because it has many different formats and requires quick, accurate understanding of medical and professional texts.

The Occupational English Test (OET) is a test of English language skills that is only for healthcare workers like doctors, nurses, and pharmacists who want to work in English-speaking countries like Australia, the UK, and New Zealand.

The Reading test lasts 60 minutes and has three parts: Part A (quick reading), Part B (reading short texts from the workplace), and Part C (understanding longer texts in detail).

In this in-depth article, we look at the skills needed for OET Reading Part C compared to Parts A and B. Parts A and B focus on speed, scanning, and understanding how things work in the real world. Part C, on the other hand, requires more analytical skills, like being able to guess people's feelings and judge arguments.

This comparison is very important for people taking the test because knowing these differences can help them get better scores. The most recent changes to OET in 2025, such as the addition of an overall score along with traditional grading, have made preparation even more strategic.

We'll go over each part in detail, including the different types of questions, the skills you need, and some helpful tips. For personalized study, websites like oetpro.com offer practice tests that are similar to the real thing.

The goal of this article is to give you a full understanding, with tables for quick reference, so you can confidently take the OET Reading test. Focusing on these differences will help you do better, whether you're just starting out or improving your skills.

A look at the OET Reading Test

The OET Reading sub-test checks how well you can read and understand a variety of healthcare-related texts, which is similar to what you would do in real life.

It has 42 questions in three parts, and to pass, you usually need to get about 30 of them right (350–400 on the numerical scale).

You can take the test on paper or on a computer, and you have to follow strict time limits. After 15 minutes, Part A materials are collected, leaving 45 minutes for Parts B and C.

Some of the most important skills in all parts are using vocabulary in context, understanding main ideas, and using information. But the focus changes: Parts A and B test reading under pressure and for use, while Part C tests critical thinking.

Recent data from OET preparation sites shows that a lot of candidates have trouble with Part A because it moves too quickly. They score lower there but make up for it in Part C by getting more involved.

This table gives a quick overview of how Part C needs more focus than Parts A and B, which move quickly. Now, teach each part.

A complete breakdown of the OET Reading Part A, including the format, types of questions, and skills needed.

Part A, also known as the "expeditious reading" task, is unique in that it is very intense and simulates the need to quickly go through medical notes or patient records in a busy clinical setting.

You get four short texts (A, B, C, and D) that are usually extraction notes from patient consultations, referral letters, or discharge summaries. They add up to about 2,000 words. You have 15 minutes to answer 20 questions, which are split into two groups.

Types of Questions in Part A

Matching Questions (Questions 1–6 or something like that): For these, you have to match six items from one text (like a list of symptoms or treatments) to the most correct text (A, B, C, or D). For example, you could match "post-operative infection" to the part of the text that talks about a surgical case.

Questions 7–20 are about Sentence Completion or Note Matching. In these questions, you choose words or short phrases from a list of 16 options to fill in gaps in notes from one of the texts. Gaps might have to do with the patient's history, diagnosis, or management plans.

These subtypes test how accurate you are under pressure, using fake medical jargon as distractions.

What you need to know for Part A

The main skill is skimming and scanning, which means quickly finding important information without reading the whole thing. You will need to:

• Find specific information quickly: Look for words like dates, medications (like "amoxicillin"), or conditions (like "hypertension").
• Understand context in parts: Figure out what abbreviated notes mean, like "Pt c/o SO, B," which means "patient complains of shortness of breath."
• Use timers to help you get faster at answering questions. You should spend about 45 seconds on each one.
• Knowing medical terms like "dyspnea" or "anemia" is very important because it stops you from hesitating. In contrast to Part C, there is no need for inference; it is simply matching facts.
• OET guides say that the best way to prepare is to read real texts every day. Overreading, which causes essence, is a common mistake.

In short, Part A teaches you how to read quickly in high-stakes situations where you need to be quick rather than deep.

A thorough look at OET Reading Part B: the format, the types of questions, and the skills needed. 

Part B is about reading at work. It has six short texts (150–200 words each) like emails, memos, guidelines, or notices from healthcare settings. You have to choose one answer from four choices (A-D) for each text. This part is faster, taking only 20 to 25 minutes of the 45-minute block for B and C.

Different kinds of questions in Part B

The questions in Part B are all multiple-choice, but they are different for each type of text:

Purpose or the Writer's Goal: For example, "What is the main point of this memo?" Some options are "to announce a policy change" or "to ask for feedback."

• Specific Information or Detail: Asking for factual recall, such as "What is the recommended dosage according to the guideline?"
• Inference or Implication: A little deeper, like "What does the email imply about the staff's concerns?" means you have to read between the lines.
• Tone or Attitude: This is less common, but it tests your understanding of professional language, like "formal warning" vs. "informative update."

These subtypes make sure that there is a mix, with guidelines and notices being the most common types of text.

Skills Needed for Part B

Part B builds on Part A's speed, but it also tests your understanding of professional language. Some important skills are:

• Finding the main ideas and supporting details: Quickly go over the text's structure: introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Use the sentences around the word or phrase to figure out what it means. For example, "urgent review required" means risk.
• Getting rid of distractors: Options often paraphrase correctly but don't match the question's focus, so practice how to get rid of them.

There is less focus on raw speed and more on the differences between words (for example, "adverse reaction" vs. "side effect"). One piece of advice from professionals is to read the question first. ThiPartt rewards people who know how to follow healthcare rules, which makes it easier to understand Part C's complexity.

A full breakdown of the OET Reading Part C: format, types of questions, and skills

Part C is the analytical powerhouse of the Reading subtest. It has two longer texts (600 to 900 words each), like articles from medical journals, editorials, or research overviews.

In the next 20 to 25 minutes, you need to answer 16 multiple-choice questions, eight for each text. Texts frequently offer divergent perspectives on subjects such as "ethical dilemmas in telemedicine" or "the impact of climate change on public health."

Different Types of Questions in Part C

There are four choices for each question, and they are grouped into subtypes for focused practice:

• Comprehending Principal Concepts or Arguments: For example, "What is the main point of the article?" Checking for understanding around the world.
• Specific Information: Factual, like "What percentage of cases did the author say improved?"
• Inference and Implied Meaning: More profound, such as "What can be deduced regarding the author's position on vaccination mandates?"
• The writer's point of view, attitude, or goal: For example, "The writer thinks the policy is..." You can choose between "optimistic," "critical," or "neutral."

Reference or Example: Finding the example that backs up a claim. 

• Vocabulary in Context: Not very common, but it asks for synonyms, like "The term 'paradigm shift' most closely means..."
• Conclusion or Prediction That Makes Sense: For example, "Based on the text, the likely outcome is..."
• Comparing Views: It's clear that authors have different opinions, especially in paired texts.
• These subtypes require reading in layers, with questions that go from literal to evaluative.

Skills Needed for Part C

Part C tests critical reading and synthesis, which is much more than just scanning the other parts. These are the most important skills:

• Comprehension and analysis in detail: Take notes on the main ideas, evidence, and counterarguments as you read.
• Inferring attitudes and biases: Listen for subtle tones, like sarcasm in "so-called breakthrough," which means doubt.
• Putting information together: Check the truth of ideas that are linked across paragraphs or texts.
• Use advanced vocabulary and idioms, like "empirical evidence" or "multifaceted approach."
• Managing your time in a deep way: At first, read each text for 5–7 minutes, then answer each question for 1–2 minutes.

Part C punishes reading that isn't deep enough; the distractors are clever paraphrases. Success here is linked to higher overall scores, which is in line with what professionals say in their reviews.

Comparative Analysis: The Skills Needed for Part C Compared to Parts A and B

The real value of understanding OET Reading is comparing the requirements of Part C to those of Parts A and B. Parts A and B focus on efficiency and functionality, while Part C encourages intellectual engagement and gets you ready for evidence-based practice.

Important Differences in Skills

Part A needs lightning-fast scanning (100–150 wpm), Part B needs moderate skimming (200 wpm), and Part C needs careful reading (150–200 wpm with notes).

• Literal vs. Inferential: A and B are mostly true (80% literal), but C is 60% inferential, which means it tests "why" behind the "what."
• Length and Complexity of Text: A/B has short, list-like texts, while C has argumentative essays with more complex syntax and abstract ideas.
• Different kinds of questions: A uses matching/completion for accuracy; B and C use multiple-choice questions, but C's choices need to be more nuanced.

This table shows that starting with A/B skills (speed foundation) and working up to C (analytical peak) makes the task harder over time. Preparation analyses show that candidates who do well in A/B often do poorly in C because they don't practice making inferences. To get around this, use mixed practice.

The Most Recent News in OET Reading (2025)

As of January 29, 2025, OET has added an overall score (A-E) to the sub-test grades. This gives immigration and registration bodies a complete picture. This doesn't change the Reading format, but it does stress that you should do well on all parts. For example, a strong Part C can make up for weak A scores. Results are now available more quickly (within 5 to 10 days), which lowers the stress of waiting.

There are no changes to the structure of the Reading parts. However, the digital delivery has been improved with better highlighting tools for Part C. Resources for preparation have been updated to include practice tests for 2025 that cover current medical topics, like AI in diagnostics. People who take the test should check for any small changes through official channels.

Strategies for getting ready: Making your approach unique

To be great at customer strategies. For A and B, use timed drills to work on drill speed; for C, write notes on sample texts. Reading things like the New England Journal of Medicine on a regular basis helps you build endurance.

oetpro.com is a great resource because it has modules for each part, like interactive Part A scanners, B guideline quizzes, and C essay breakdowns. Their adaptive tests keep track of progress, and users have reported going from C to B grades. For authenticity, mix with official samples.

Advanced tips: Join forums to get feedback from others, keep track of mistakes (for example, by using spreadsheets), and do full tests every week to make sure you are thorough. Use targeted flashcards to focus on weak subtypes, like attitude questions in C.

Getting good at OET To understand the differences between Parts A and B and Part C, you need to know what skills each one tests: A/B tests quick utility, while C tests deep insight. By breaking down formats, subtypes, and demands as shown here, you'll turn preparation into skill.

With the new scoring rules in 2025, which stress consistency, having a strategic focus is very important. Use sites like oetpro.com to get an edge, and remember that regular practice turns problems into successes. Get that B grade and confidently start your career in healthcare.