Loading…

OET · Reading · RB

OET Reading Part B: Short Workplace Texts

OET Reading Part B tests whether you understand the purpose and main point of short documents found in healthcare workplaces. You read six separate texts of roughly 100–150 words, such as a policy extract, memo or team email, and answer one three-option multiple-choice question on each. Parts B and C share 45 minutes.

Questions
6 (one per text)
Question type
Multiple choice, 3 options
Text length
About 100–150 words each
Time
45 minutes shared with Part C
Text types
Guidelines, policies, memos, emails, updates

How it works

  1. 1Each screen shows one short workplace text and one question.
  2. 2The question usually asks about the text's purpose, main point, a required action or a detail.
  3. 3You pick one of three options and can move between Part B and Part C questions within the shared 45 minutes.

Sample question

Original sample · not from an official test

Text (original): "From 1 March, all patient falls must be logged in the incident system within 24 hours, even when no injury occurs. Ward managers will review near-miss reports weekly to identify patterns such as poor lighting or trailing cables." The main purpose of this notice is to

  1. AA. explain why falls happen on wards.
  2. BB. set out a new reporting requirement for falls.
  3. CC. ask ward managers to fix lighting problems.
Show answer

Answer: B. set out a new reporting requirement for falls.

The notice introduces a rule with a start date. A and C pick up examples mentioned in passing but are not what the text sets out to do.

Tips that work

  • Read the question first so you know whether you need the overall purpose or one detail.
  • Look at the first and last sentences for the purpose; memos and policies usually state it early.
  • Watch for rule words such as 'must', 'should' and 'may', which separate a requirement from a suggestion.
  • Aim for about three minutes per text so Part C keeps most of the shared 45 minutes.

Common mistakes

  • Choosing an option that is true according to the text but does not answer the question.
  • Spending too long on Part B and rushing the two long Part C texts.

Questions candidates ask

How long should I spend on OET Reading Part B?

Parts B and C share 45 minutes. Many candidates keep Part B short, around 15 minutes, because Part C's texts are much longer; this is a planning suggestion, not a rule.

Are Part B texts clinical case notes?

No. They are internal workplace communications such as guidelines, policy extracts, updates, memos or group emails.

How many options does each Part B question have?

Three. Part C questions have four.

Other OET Reading tasks

OET overviewOET Reading: all partsOET full mock testsOET articles on the blog