OET Practice: How to Practise Each Sub-test (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)

How to do effective OET practice: what to practise each week, how to use timed tests, how to review mistakes and how to use free and paid OET practice tests well.

Good OET practice is not just doing more tests. It is doing the right tests, under the right conditions, and learning from every mistake. This guide shows how to practise each sub-test and how to use practice tests so your score actually moves.

Practice Principles

Use the real format and timing. Practice that does not match the test gives false confidence.
Review every mistake. Ten minutes of review is worth more than another test.
Practise each skill separately, then together. Skill drills first, full tests later.
Track scores. A simple table of your practice scores shows real progress.

OET Listening Practice

Do Part A first: note-completion from a consultation. Practise reading the gaps before the audio starts.
Do Part B and Part C as separate drills, then as a full 42-question test.
Play the audio once, as in the exam. Then read the transcript and mark where you missed the answer.

Try a free OET Listening practice test, then read our Listening tips.

OET Reading Practice

Time Part A strictly at 15 minutes; it is the section most candidates run out of time in.
Practise Parts B and C together in 45 minutes.
After each test, find why each wrong answer is wrong, not just the right option.

See OET Reading strategy.

OET Writing Practice

Read the case notes for 5 minutes, decide the purpose of the letter, and select only relevant information.
Write for 40 minutes. Stop on time.
Compare with a model letter. Check purpose, content, concision, genre and style, organisation and language.

See the referral letter guide.

OET Speaking Practice

Do a role-play aloud and record it.
Listen back for fluency, clear explanations, empathy and structure.
Repeat the same scenario a day later and improve one thing.

See the Speaking role-play guide and a worked example.

A Simple Weekly Practice Schedule

Day	Practice
Mon	Listening Part A + review
Tue	Reading Part A timed drill
Wed	Writing: one letter, 40 minutes
Thu	Speaking: two recorded role-plays
Fri	Listening Part B/C + Reading Part B/C
Sat	One full-length test, timed
Sun	Error log review and vocabulary

Practise With Real-Format Tests

OET Practice on HighYield has full-length Listening and Reading tests in the real format, Writing letters with model answers and Speaking role-plays. Try the free Listening test to see how it works.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there free OET practice tests?

Yes. The official OET website offers some sample material, and HighYield offers a free full Listening practice test. Use free tests to check the format, then add more full tests as you get closer to the exam.

How many OET practice tests should I do?

Quality matters more than number. Many candidates do several full tests per sub-test, reviewing every mistake, over their preparation period.

What is the best way to practise OET Speaking alone?

Record yourself on a role-play scenario, listen back, and compare it with a model answer or a checklist of what a good role-play includes.

Do I need a teacher?

Not always. Writing and Speaking benefit from feedback, so if you can, ask a teacher or fluent colleague to review a letter and a role-play.