OET Preparation
Free OET Sample Test: What to Expect in Listening & Reading
July 22, 2026 · 10 min read
The fastest way to raise your OET score is to practise with full-length sample tests under real exam conditions. But a sample test only helps if you know exactly what the real exam demands — the timing, the question types, and how marks are awarded. This guide breaks down the Listening and Reading sub-tests part by part, and shows you how to turn practice tests into score gains.
Table of Contents
Why Sample Tests Matter
OET is a predictable exam. The structure of every sub-test is fixed: the same parts, the same question counts, the same timing, every test date. That predictability is your advantage — a candidate who has completed ten full-length sample tests walks into the exam knowing exactly what the next 3 hours look like.
Sample tests do three things nothing else can:
- Build stamina. Listening + Reading is roughly 90 minutes of continuous concentration.
- Expose your weak parts. Most candidates discover their scores differ sharply between, say, Listening Part A and Part C.
- Calibrate your timing. Reading Part A gives you only 15 minutes for 20 questions — a pace you must rehearse, not just know about.
The OET Listening Sub-Test Format
Listening lasts about 40 minutes with 42 questions across three parts. All professions take the same Listening test. The audio plays once only.
| Part | Questions | Format | What it tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | 24 (Q1–24) | Two consultation extracts; fill in the gaps in a health professional's notes. | Identifying specific information — symptoms, history, medications — as you hear it. |
| Part B | 6 (Q25–30) | Six short workplace extracts (handovers, briefings); one 3-option MCQ each. | Understanding gist and detail of short workplace communication. |
| Part C | 12 (Q31–42) | Two long presentations or interviews; six 3-option MCQs each. | Following extended monologue: opinion, attitude and argument. |
Part A answers are marked for meaning — minor misspellings that don't obscure the word are accepted, but the word must be the one that fits the note.
The OET Reading Sub-Test Format
Reading lasts 60 minutes with 42 questions across three parts. Like Listening, it is identical for all professions.
| Part | Questions | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | 20 | 15 min (strict) | Four short texts on one topic; matching, sentence completion and short answers. Speed reading task. |
| Part B | 6 | 45 min shared | Six short workplace texts (policies, memos, guidelines); one 3-option MCQ each. |
| Part C | 16 | Two long semi-academic articles; eight 4-option MCQs each. |
Part A is collected after exactly 15 minutes on paper-based test days — you cannot return to it. Budget roughly 20 minutes per Part C text and 7–8 minutes for all of Part B.
How Scoring Works
Each sub-test is reported on a scale of 0–500, mapped to grades A–E. Most regulators require 350 (grade B) in every sub-test, and some accept 300 (C+) in Listening, Reading or Writing.
In Listening and Reading there is no penalty for wrong answers — never leave a blank. As a rough working rule, candidates who consistently answer about 30–32 of the 42 questions correctly in practice tend to be in the grade-B zone, though the exact conversion varies by test form.
Track your practice scores per part, not just per sub-test. A total of 30/42 that hides a 4/12 in Part C is a Part C problem with a Part C fix.
How to Use a Sample Test Properly
- Simulate real conditions. One sitting, exam timing, audio played once, no pausing. Anything else measures the wrong thing.
- Score honestly, then review every error. For each wrong answer, identify why: didn't hear it, misread the stem, vocabulary gap, or timing pressure. Each cause has a different remedy.
- Keep an error log. After three tests, the pattern is unmistakable — and it tells you where the next 20 hours of study should go.
- Re-test on a schedule. One full test per week with focused part-practice in between beats daily full tests with no review.
You can start right now: OET Practice Test 1 is completely free — full-length Listening Parts A, B and C plus Reading Parts B and C, auto-scored with a real 45-minute timer, no credit card required.
Beyond Listening and Reading
A full OET sitting also includes Writing (45 minutes, one profession-specific letter) and Speaking (about 20 minutes, two role-plays). These are productive skills — sample materials help, but the score gains come from feedback on your actual output.
For Writing, see our complete OET Writing guide covering the six marking criteria, letter types and the mistakes that cost the most marks.
Put it into practice
Take a full-length OET practice test with real exam timing and automatic scoring — Test 1 is completely free, no credit card required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are OET sample tests the same for nurses and doctors?
Listening and Reading are identical for all 12 professions. Only Writing and Speaking are profession-specific, using scenarios from your own field.
How many practice tests should I do before the exam?
Most successful candidates complete 8–12 full-length tests. The number matters less than the review: one test thoroughly analysed is worth three taken carelessly.
Is the audio played once or twice in OET Listening?
Once only. This is why simulating real conditions in practice matters — pausing or replaying audio during practice inflates your score and hides timing problems.
What is a good score on a practice test?
Consistently answering around 30–32 of 42 questions correctly in both Listening and Reading generally indicates grade-B territory, though official conversions vary slightly between test forms.
How long is the full OET exam?
Around 3 hours in total: Listening (~40 min), Reading (60 min), Writing (45 min) and Speaking (~20 min).
Can I take a free OET practice test online?
Yes — Test 1 on this site is free and full-length, covering Listening Parts A, B and C and Reading Parts B and C with automatic scoring. No credit card is required.
Do wrong answers lose marks in OET?
No. There is no negative marking in Listening or Reading, so you should answer every question even if you have to guess.
How close are practice test scores to real OET scores?
If you practise under strict exam conditions, per-part accuracy is a reasonable predictor. Scores obtained with pausing, replaying audio or extra time are not.