Problem: Part A eats the clock — four short texts read like four long ones, and candidates reach Part B already behind. Answer in brief: Part A is expeditious by design (15 minutes for 20 marks): scan for names and numbers, match exactly, move on. Marking rules reward evidence discipline, not comprehension depth. This guide teaches Part A speed with a worked 4-text drill, and OET Reading — Course 1 trains Part A across 9 topic sections.
Marking rules and evidence discipline
Part A answers are short (words, numbers, short phrases) and exact — spelling must match the text, word limits bind, paraphrase is not required. Evidence discipline means every answer points at text: if you cannot underline it, do not write it. Guessing beats blanks (no penalty), but pointed answers beat guesses — discipline first, guessing last.
Expeditious reading of four short texts
Three minutes per text maximum: read the questions first, underline targets (doses, dates, names, thresholds), scan each text once for targets only, answer and move — never re-read a text for polish. Expeditious means businesslike: the texts are workplace notices, and you read them as a clinician would (seeking the number), not as a student would (seeking understanding).
Build Part A speed supervised? The full OET Reading — Course 1 teaches marking rules with expeditious reading practice across 9 topic sections with mock tests. Explore the course →
Workplace extracts practice
Guidelines, memos, dosage charts, handover notes — each with its layout logic (headers carry answers, tables carry numbers, bold carries warnings). Practise by format: extract the answer type each layout hides, and learn where each format keeps its numbers. Format familiarity is free speed.
Worked drill: one text, five questions
Fictional extract, newly written (antibiotic guideline box): questions target dose, duration, contraindication, review trigger, contact. Execution: targets underlined in 20 seconds, scan-locate each in turn, exact words copied with limits checked — five answers in under three minutes. Drill twenty such texts and Part A becomes the paper’s gift, not its tax.
FAQs
How strict are word limits in Part A?
Strict: over-limit answers lose the mark regardless of content. Count rapidly (articles and numbers count) and trim to fit before moving on.
Should texts be done in order?
Yes — questions within texts follow text order, and texts are independent. Order-hopping wastes relocation time for zero gain.
What is in the course?
Nine topic sections on marking rules with expeditious reading and workplace extracts, plus 5 complete mock tests.
The matching course
OET Reading — Course 1 makes Part A fast: marking rules, expeditious reading, workplace formats — 9 topic sections with 5 mock tests. If Part A eats your clock, get faster here.
Sources and note
- OET Reading format (Part A: 15 minutes, 20 questions; Parts B and C: 45 minutes) per oet.com — Reading. Check current format guidance before the exam.
- Course details verified from its public staging page (read-only): 9 topic sections, 5 mock tests.
- Examples are newly written; other valid structures exist.
Put this into practice
Compare these course outlines and choose the practice that matches your next goal.
