How to Prepare for OET: Section-by-Section Study Guide for Grade B (350+)

For many IMGs, the Occupational English Test (OET) is one of the biggest hurdles to working overseas.

Reaching 350+ (Grade B) is the target set by most healthcare regulators, but getting there can feel overwhelming without a clear plan. The good news is that OET is highly predictable once you know how each section works.

In this article, we’ll walk through practical study methods for every section of the test—Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing—so you know exactly how to focus your preparation and move steadily toward passing.

※This article is written by OET Bank, where we specialize in helping healthcare professionals prepare for OET and support their overseas career opportunities.

OET Preparation and Study Methods

Before diving into strategies, let’s quickly review the structure of the OET:

• Name: Occupational English Test
• Content: Communication and medical topics relevant to healthcare practice
• Test duration:
  Listening: 40 minutes
  Reading: 60 minutes
  Speaking: 20 minutes
  Writing: 45 minutes
• Scoring: Each section scored out of 500
• Passing score: 350 or above in each section (Grade B or higher)
• Fee: 587 AUD (approx. 384 USD)
• Official website: https://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/

OET is an English test designed for healthcare professionals. For IMGs and other non-native speakers, it evaluates whether you have the communication skills needed to work safely and effectively in an English-speaking healthcare environment.

The test mirrors real workplace communication and medical contexts. Like other English proficiency tests, it assesses the four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

Most healthcare regulators set the passing threshold at 350/500 per section, though this can vary slightly depending on the country and profession. Always confirm the specific requirements for your pathway.

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Start with a Mock Test

If you’re just beginning OET preparation, your first step should be taking a mock test.

The purpose is to understand your current level and measure the distance from your target score.

Since Speaking and Writing require examiners, you can start by attempting only the Reading and Listening sections. For both, a passing performance is usually around 30–32 correct answers out of 42.

OET uses scaled scoring, which adjusts for test difficulty, so results may vary slightly from test to test.

You can try the official free sample test here: https://oet.com/ready/sample-tests

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Reading

If you cannot reach at least 26 correct answers out of 42, it’s advisable to first practice with IELTS Reading.

Falling short in OET Reading usually means there are gaps in:

• Basic vocabulary knowledge
• Grammatical parsing skills
• Overall comprehension ability

Because OET is highly specialized, it’s not the best tool for building fundamental reading skills.

IELTS, on the other hand, has a wide range of textbooks at varying levels and a difficulty curve similar to OET.

Aim for IELTS Reading 6.5–7.0 before returning to OET.

The best study method is simple: answer within the time limit → create your own explanations.

OET’s answer choices are often ambiguous and tricky, so training yourself to narrow down options through explanation-building is highly effective.

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Listening

For Listening, the study sequence is:

1. Dictation – write down the audio word-for-word
2. Imitation – practice overlapping (or shadowing) with the recording

Since 24 of the 42 Listening questions are dictation-based, it’s essential to train your ear to catch every word.

Step-by-step:

• Play one sentence, pause, and write it out
• Compare with the transcript
• Identify why you missed words and replay repeatedly
• Once written, practice imitating the audio

If shadowing is too difficult, begin with overlapping (reading along with the transcript while listening). Progress to shadowing without the transcript.

When Listening Feels Too Hard:
If you cannot reach about 22/42 in OET Listening, consider starting with IELTS Listening. IELTS audio is slower and clearer, making it a good entry point.

However, note that high IELTS Listening scores don’t always translate into OET success—the skills don’t correlate perfectly. Treat IELTS only as a stepping stone.

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Speaking

In Speaking, the key is to fully cover the role-play card points within the time limit. This is the foundation for scoring 350+.

Common reasons for failure include:

• Lack of English rhythm (speaking with native-language intonation)
• Frequent pauses or corrections
• Difficulty explaining symptoms in simple terms
• Talking too much beyond the card’s scope

Tips:

• Practice rhythm and stress by speaking like a news presenter
• Use short sentences (5–7 words) instead of long, complex ones
• Remember: patients are laypeople—avoid jargon and practice around 30 common symptoms in advance
• Stay within the card’s boundaries—fluency alone won’t help if you go off-topic

If you lack basic conversational ability, supplement with IELTS Speaking or online English conversation. Also, leverage OET Listening Part A dialogues as speaking practice material.

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Writing

Writing success depends on clarity of purpose and selection of relevant information.

Use OET letter templates, but focus on:

• Purpose
• Content
• Conciseness & Clarity
• Genre & Style
• Organisation & Layout
• Language

Notice that only 2 of the 6 criteria relate directly to grammar and vocabulary. That means the majority of your score depends on structure and content.

If your writing still contains frequent errors, practice with IELTS Writing until you can achieve 6.0–6.5. IELTS offers more resources for structured practice.

Ultimately, OET Writing requires reviewing your letters objectively and refining them. If possible, ask someone experienced to proofread and provide feedback.

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Summary

Let’s recap the key points:

• Begin with a mock test
• Use IELTS as a stepping stone if necessary
• In Speaking and Writing, focus more on content and clarity than flawless language

These strategies will help IMGs and other healthcare professionals approach OET more effectively.

Mastering OET is less about memorizing tricks and more about practicing the skills you will actually use in real healthcare settings. With the right preparation, IMGs can confidently achieve Grade B and open doors to international career opportunities.

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If you’re preparing for OET, consider exploring our practice resources at OET Bank. We’re designed not just as mock tests, but as powerful review tools that make it easier to analyze weaknesses and focus on what’s needed to pass.