OET Listening Part B tests your ability to understand short workplace conversations in healthcare settings. Whether it’s a nurse briefing a colleague or a doctor giving instructions, this part of the test focuses on identifying the purpose, main points, and specific details of the exchange.
Let’s look at how to approach these questions effectively and avoid common pitfalls—with insights drawn from sample OET Listening B practice.
Before the audio starts, you’ll have time to read the question and answer options. Use this short time to:
✅ Notice the context – Who is speaking? Where is the conversation happening?
✅ Understand the question – What exactly is being asked?
✅ Read the options carefully – Look for small but important differences
✅ Spot keywords – What words or ideas do the options focus on?
For example, in a sample Listening B question, you’re told the recording is a conversation between a senior nurse and a student nurse. The question asks why the senior nurse is speaking.
Knowing this in advance helps you actively listen for purpose-related language.
During Listening B, you only hear the audio once, so it’s important to focus and match what you hear to the question.
🎧 In the example above, the correct answer is A because the nurse says things like:
“Before you start…”
“It’s important to…”
These phrases clearly indicate that she’s giving preparatory instructions, which matches the purpose described in option A.
After you choose an answer, listen again with the transcript. This helps you:
🔍 See exactly where the correct answer is supported
💡 Understand how similar phrases can mean different things
🧠 Learn to identify distractors—plausible-sounding options that aren’t quite right
In another sample, the question is:
“What should staff do first in this situation?”
The correct answer is again A, supported by the phrase:
“That’s a priority.”
Noticing these cues and connecting them with the question wording is key to success.
📌 Practise with real OET sample questions
📌 Always read the question and options carefully before listening
📌 After the task, review the transcript and link back to your answers
📌 Build your awareness of phrases used to express purpose, priorities, and instructions
📌 Learn to recognise distractors—options that are almost correct but slightly off
Watch the full video to try this Listening B activity in real time and see why each correct answer works.
Includes Listening B practice questions and transcripts to build your skills.
Specialist Language Courses (SLC) are dedicated to helping healthcare professionals excel in the OET. Our expert-led courses focus on the specific language skills and test strategies needed to succeed. With personalised coaching, practice tests, and targeted exercises, we ensure you build the confidence and competence required for each OET sub-test. Join SLC to boost your chances of achieving the scores you need and advancing your healthcare career
Back to Menu ↩ Listening Part A of the Occupational English Test (OET) focuses on your ability to understand consultations between a healthcare professional and
Back to Menu ↩ The OET Speaking sub-test for Medicine is your opportunity to demonstrate the clinical communication and linguistic skills you use every day
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