OET test structure
The figures below come from the OET Test Handbook 2026. The 12 professions are Dentistry, Dietetics, Medicine, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Radiography, Speech Pathology and Veterinary Science.
| Sub-test | Time | Parts | Questions or tasks | Profession-specific? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | About 40 minutes | 3 | 42 questions | No |
| Reading | 60 minutes | 3 | 42 questions | No |
| Writing | 45 minutes | N/A | 1 task (a letter) | Yes |
| Speaking | 20 minutes | N/A | 2 role plays | Yes |
Listening: three parts, heard once
Recordings are set in healthcare settings and you hear each one once only (OET Handbook).
| Part | Task | Recordings | Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Note completion (one word or short phrase) | 2 consultations between a health professional and a patient | 24 (12 per extract) |
| B | 3-option multiple choice | 6 short workplace extracts | 6 (1 per extract) |
| C | 3-option multiple choice | 2 presentations or interviews | 12 (6 per extract) |
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Reading: Part A is timed separately
Part A takes 15 minutes and is completed separately; Parts B and C share 45 minutes (OET Handbook).
| Part | Task | Texts | Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Matching, short answer, sentence completion | 4 short informational extracts | 20 |
| B | 3-option multiple choice | 6 short workplace extracts | 6 (1 per extract) |
| C | 4-option multiple choice | 2 extracts from longer articles | 16 (8 per extract) |
Writing and Speaking
Writing is one letter, such as a referral, to another health professional or a person involved in the patient's care, based on case notes. You get 45 minutes: 5 minutes reading time and 40 minutes writing (OET Handbook). It is marked on Purpose, Content, Conciseness & Clarity, Genre & Style, Organisation & Layout, and Language.
Speaking lasts 20 minutes: a warm-up of about 2-3 minutes, then two role plays of 5 minutes each, with 3 minutes to prepare for each. The interlocutor plays the patient, a family member or a carer. It is marked on four linguistic criteria and five clinical communication criteria. Nursing candidates get nursing tasks, radiography candidates radiography tasks, and so on.
Paper, computer or at home
All three delivery modes use the same format and are marked to the same standard (OET Handbook). On paper, all four sub-tests are taken at a centre and Speaking is face to face (OET on Paper). On computer, Listening, Reading and Writing are taken at a venue, and Speaking is done at home on a secure platform or, in select countries, at the venue (OET on Computer). OET@Home is fully remote-proctored and is offered where there is no test venue in your country, or for other access needs; not every regulator accepts it (OET@Home).
Bookings for OET on Paper close 24 days before the test; OET on Computer and OET@Home close 7 days before (OET). Listening, Reading and Writing are taken together, and Speaking must be in the same test administration, usually within 8 days before or after (Test Regulations). Your first OET must include all four sub-tests. Fees are in OET exam fee 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the OET exam?+
Listening about 40 minutes, Reading 60 minutes, Writing 45 minutes and Speaking 20 minutes.
How many questions are in OET Listening and Reading?+
42 each. Each correct answer is one mark, converted to the 0-500 scale.
Which OET sub-tests are profession-specific?+
Writing and Speaking. Listening and Reading are the same for all candidates.
What is the OET Writing task?+
One letter, such as a referral or discharge letter, written from case notes in 45 minutes (5 minutes reading, 40 writing).
Is OET on computer different from OET on paper?+
No. OET says all delivery modes use the same format and specifications and are marked to the same standard.
Keep reading
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Verified against the linked official sources on 14 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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