OET Reading Tips and Tricks

OET reading test gauges one’s reading ability and how well the candidate can comprehend the test. The best way to improve reading score is to understand the test completely. The candidate has to understand the aim and purpose of the questions in the reading test. In order to get a B grade, a candidate should score 350 marks, i.e. he/ she should get 30 correct answers out of 42. In this article, we shed light on a few tips and tricks to pass the reading test.

Structure of OET Reading Test 

The reading test has three parts to be completed in 60 minutes: Part A, Part B and Part C. Let us look at the structure of each part in detail:

Part A:

This part has 4 short texts (labelled A, B, C and D). Candidates have to answer 20 questions related to the text. At least one of the texts will contain visual or numerical information (e.g. a graph, table or flow chart). The time limit for completing Part A is 15 minutes.

Part B:

This part consists of six short texts of around 100 to 150 words. There will be one multiple choice question for each text.

Part C:

This consists of two long texts of 800 words each. The candidates will have to answer 16 multiple choice questions based on the content of these texts. This part tests a candidate’s ability to understand comprehensive texts, infer meaning, and identify points of view. There won’t be negative marking.

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Tips and Tricks for Reading Test

As with every competitive exam, OET too requires a lot of preparation. let us look at certain tips that will help us plan the best form of preparation.

Familiarize yourself with the format of the test:

You should have a thorough knowledge of the test format as it will help you prepare efficiently.

Build your vocabulary: 

Building your vocabulary will help you improve your reading test score. This will make it easier for you to recognize and understand what you read. This in turn will help you answer the questions effectively. You can build your vocabulary by reading a lot of articles. You should note down unfamiliar words and look for their meanings. Revise these words regularly.

Sharpen your reading skills: 

Regularly read a range of texts without limiting to a particular topic.

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Skimming:

The goal of skimming is a bird’s-eye view of the material. Pick a text with a mixture of written information and pictures. Read through the text, paying attention only to the main words in each sentence, ignoring small connecting words. Also look at the headings, subheadings and images. When you think you have found something significant, stop to read the entire sentence to make sure. Write down a few dot points you picked up from skimming the text. Do this regularly as it is a skill that you develop with practice.

Scanning:

The goal of scanning is to locate and swoop down on particular facts. Read the first couple of sentences and decide on a two or three keywords. Scan the article to find these keywords. When your eye catches one of your keywords, read the surrounding material carefully.

Practice:

This is the most essential factor as we all are familiar with the adage that practice makes man perfect. Do as many mock tests as possible. You must do it with strict time management.

1.  It is a good idea to read the question first as to know what is being asked. This will help you get the keyword.
2. Based on the key words in the question, go to the relevant part of the text. In many cases, you will be told which paragraph to go to in the first question.
3. Scan the relevant section of the text for any of the key words you find in the first question. This will lead you to the part of the text that contains the relevant information for that question.
4. Once you have found the relevant section of the text, check each answer option according to the information in the text. Make sure that you scan properly and not settle down for the first answer you see.

Answer all the questions: 

There is no negative marking in OET reading test. So if you are unsure about an answer, just make a calculated guess.

How to Prepare for OET Reading Test?

The five main areas of preparation required to pass the OET Reading Test are:

1. Read the title of the text – Read it thoughtfully as it will get your mind ready for what you are going to read
2. Read the sentence with the gap in it – Make sure that you read it slowly and understand it well.
3. Think about the words and phrases you have read. This will help you understand what sounds right or wrong. This will help you find the correct words or group of words and avoid mistakes.
4. You will be asked to find the facts within the passage, so read the text carefully. Look for numbers such as dates, amounts, percentages etc. You may also come across names or words that you haven’t understood at first.
5. Once you have found the number or name, go back to the gap to ensure that you have found the right part of the passage. Read the passage with the gap filled and make sure that it sounds grammatically right. If you feel that it does not fit, look again to find the right answer.

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