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5 essential OET listening tips to succeed in the OET exam

Doctor Listening to Patient

Do you find the OET Listening sub-test difficult?

Many candidates do.

This test is designed to assess your listening skills through note-completion tasks and multiple-choice questions.

You will need to reach a Grade B to pass this sub-test, so follow our guide to getting the result you need.

Tip 1 - Learn the format of the listening exam

In OET Listening Part A, you listen to two consultations between a health professional and a patient.

In OET Listening Part B, you listen to six different workplace situations, such as a handover, or a professional-patient conversation.

And in Part C, you listen to two interviews or short talks about a healthcare topic.

Tip 2 - Listen to health podcasts

If you want help with OET Listening Part C, listen regularly to health podcasts.

The BBC World Service has a weekly podcast called Health Check.

It features health issues and medical breakthroughs from around the world.

Podcasts help you with long-form listening.

As a bonus, you may find them interesting too.

Health Check Podcast

Tip 3 - Practise different types of language listening skills

The OET sub-test assesses your ability to identify specific information, detail, gist, opinion, or the speaker’s purpose.

After you’ve listened to a whole podcast, play a ten-minute section again.

This time, ask yourself what the speaker’s opinion or purpose is. If there is a part you don’t understand, look at it in detail.

Some podcasts have transcripts to help you understand their meaning.

The American health podcast Health Literacy Out Loud has transcripts of the podcasts.

So after you’ve listened once, you can listen again and read.

Tip 4 - YouTube support videos

Watch our free YouTube videos for specialist tips on passing the OET.

Our OET tutor, Jo, has advice on how to improve your listening for Parts A, B and C.

You can also learn how to improve your spelling for the Listening sub-test, and how to use your time during the exam.

SLC OET YouTube Channel
Tip 5 - Find support through OET Preparation Courses

Invest in our specialist Reach OET Grade B Listening course.

You can choose self-study, with 15 hours of interactive tasks and activities, plus two practice tests and lots more.

Or you can add on five hours of one-to-one coaching with one of our OET expert tutors.

Either way, we’ll do our best to help you pass the OET Listening sub-test.

Or if you want more help with other areas of the OET exam, we have the perfect preparation course for you. 

Just click your preferred course, add to the basket and start preparing for success.

And if you are not sure what’s the best course for you, we can help with that. Contact us at enquiries@specialistlanguagecourses.com and we will help you choose the best option for your needs.

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