The OET Listening test is challenging because it assesses how well you understand real healthcare communication. It is divided into three sections—Part A (consultations), Part B (short workplace extracts), and Part C (long presentations). To succeed, you need a clear strategy for each part, the ability to spot distractors, and plenty of practice.
With these step-by-step strategies, you’ll feel more confident in every part of the OET Listening test and improve your chances of achieving your target score.
Part A: Consultation Extracts
In this section, you listen to two patient–professional consultations and complete notes.
Strategies:
- Skim the notes before listening so you know what information to expect.
- Listen for keywords and synonyms, not exact words.
- Pay attention to numbers, dates, and times.
Mini practice:
Before listening, underline words like “symptoms,” “duration,” or “medication.” Predict what information will come next.
Part B: Short Workplace Extracts
Here you hear six short recordings such as handovers, briefings, or interactions. Each has a multiple-choice question.
Strategies:
- Focus on the main purpose of the extract (instruction, warning, explanation).
- Eliminate obviously wrong options.
- Watch out for distractors—words repeated from the wrong option. The correct answer usually reflects the overall meaning, not just one phrase.
Mini practice:
Listen to a short podcast segment. Summarize the speaker’s main point in one sentence.
Part C: Presentations and Interviews
You’ll listen to two longer recordings (5–7 minutes each) on healthcare topics, with multiple-choice questions.
Strategies:
- Read the questions quickly before listening.
- Focus on tone and attitude, not just facts.
- When you hear a keyword, don’t rush—wait to confirm the context before answering.
Mini practice:
Take a medical talk from YouTube. Write down the speaker’s opinion and one supporting detail.
Final Tips for OET Listening
- Always read the questions before the audio starts.
- Train your ear with English podcasts and healthcare recordings.
- Practice spotting distractors, such as repeated words or false leads.