OET Preparation: How to Prepare for the OET Step by Step (All Four Sub-tests)

How to prepare for the OET: understand the four sub-tests, test your starting level, build a weekly routine and practise under exam conditions. A practical OET prep guide for doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.

OET preparation works best when you treat it as skills training, not content memorisation. The OET (Occupational English Test) checks whether you can communicate in English in a healthcare setting, so your preparation should look like the test itself: listening to consultations, reading clinical texts, writing letters and speaking in role-plays.

This guide gives you the whole OET prep path in one place and links to a detailed guide for each part. It applies to all 12 OET professions, including medicine and nursing.

Step 1: Learn the Format of the Four Sub-tests

Sub-test	Time	What you do
Listening	About 45 minutes	42 questions: consultation notes (Part A), workplace extracts (Part B), longer presentations or interviews (Part C)
Reading	60 minutes	42 questions: Part A (15 minutes) then Parts B and C (45 minutes)
Writing	45 minutes	5 minutes reading time, then a letter based on case notes (usually a referral letter)
Speaking	About 20 minutes	Two role-plays based on your profession, with preparation time before each

Listening and Reading are the same for every profession. Writing and Speaking use tasks written for your own profession. Always confirm current details on the official OET website before booking.

Step 2: Set Your Target

OET scores each sub-test from 0 to 500. Many regulators and employers ask for a B (350 to 440) in each sub-test, and some ask for more. Check your regulator's requirement first, because it decides how much you need to improve. Our guide to what an OET Grade B means explains this.

Step 3: Take a Diagnostic

Before studying, sit one Listening test and one Reading test under timed conditions, write one letter and record one role-play. You will see which sub-test needs the most work. Try the free Listening test as a starting point.

Step 4: Build a Weekly Routine

Listening: 2 sessions a week; always check the transcript for every error.
Reading: 2 sessions a week, one timed Part A drill and one Part B/C set.
Writing: 1 or 2 letters a week; compare each with a model letter.
Speaking: 2 to 3 recorded role-plays a week; listen back.
Vocabulary: 10 to 15 minutes daily. See our OET vocabulary guide.

Step 5: Practise Under Exam Conditions

In the last third of your preparation, do full tests with the real timing and no pausing. This builds stamina and shows whether you finish on time. See how to practise each sub-test.

Step 6: Fix Repeated Mistakes

Keep an error log. Most candidates lose marks for the same few reasons: spelling in Listening, poor time use in Reading, missing key points in Writing and weak structure in Speaking. See common OET mistakes.

How Long Does OET Prep Take?

It depends on your starting level. Many working professionals plan for about eight weeks at 8 to 10 hours a week; see the 8-week OET study plan. If your English is already strong, a shorter plan may be enough. If you are well below your target, plan for longer.

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

How do I start preparing for the OET?

Learn the four sub-tests, take a timed diagnostic of Listening and Reading, write one letter and record one role-play, then build a weekly plan around your weakest sub-test.

How many hours a week should I study for the OET?

Many working candidates study 8 to 10 hours a week. The right amount depends on how far you are from your target grade.

Is OET preparation different for doctors and nurses?

Listening and Reading are the same. Writing and Speaking use tasks written for your profession, so practise with materials for your own profession.

Can I prepare for the OET online?

Yes. Online practice tests, model letters and recorded role-plays cover all four sub-tests. Always check the official OET site for the exact test format.