There are certain skills you are required to use while attempting your OET Reading module. You will find the respective skills used for each part in the OET Reading module in this blog.
OET Reading Part A
For Part A, you will get a reading booklet which will not include Part B & C. There is a time constraint for Part A, which is 15 minutes, in which you need to complete all the 20 questions. It is extremely essential to calm yourself down and utilize these skills for proper time management
You can start by giving roughly two minutes for Scanning – which is going through Part A texts by superficially reading them. What this will do is that when you move on to answering your very first question, you will have an idea of content written in all four subtexts. As a result, you will not have to lose time in going through the texts again and again (which you cannot afford in Part A).
Once you have done the Scanning, another skill that will help find out your answers is Skimming – where you point out the keywords in a question statement. After first scanning and then figuring out the keywords, you will directly move on to the text you think the answer is in and try to look for keywords to find out your answer.
(It is important not to focus on any non-essential information).
For instance: you need to figure out in which text the following information is embedded –
The recommended dose of Amlong is 5 mg for patients with mild hypertension.
Now, let’s assume if Text D has all the management information. If you have done your scanning right, you will directly move on to Text D instead of wasting time in reading all the subtexts. Ultimately, you can figure out that in the statement, the keyword is Amlong 5 mg. Now, in Text D, you will try to find the same keyword and co-relate it with the statement once you have found it.
OET Reading Part B
In Part B of the OET Reading module, there are short texts (roughly 100-140 words). In that, you need to look for main points in the form of an idea or detailed meaning and gist.
One additional factor that can help you in deciphering your answer is understanding the use of VERBS in Part B. Verb manipulation is easy and is evident in texts and question options. If understood correctly, it can help you find out your answer.
For instance: The senior nurse told the intern nurses to help the doctor in the Medical Intensive Care Unit in checking the patients.
The question for the above written statement would be:
What did the senior nurse do?
- Delegate her responsibilities to intern nurses
- Ordered the intern nurses to assist the doctor in ICU in operating the patients
- Authorize the intern nurses to make their own decisions
So, what will be the right answer according to you?
Figured out?
Okay, let us discuss!
So, the correct answer would be option A. Delegate her responsibilities to intern nurses.
Why? Because delegate is a verb which means giving part of your job responsibility to someone or your subordinates, which is what the nurse in senior position was doing.
Option B cannot be the answer as there is a change in the verb (action form) used in the statement and answer option. The statement clearly said – assist the doctor in checking the patients NOT operating the patients.
Option C cannot be the answer as the senior nurse did not authorize the intern nurses to make their own decisions, rather she was making decisions for them.
OET Reading Part C
The texts in OET Reading Part-C are lengthy and requires you to read long texts. You then need to comprehend different ideas and point of views of people as well as the author.
For Part C, you can use Inference – deductive skills to find out the answer with the help of proper reasoning and evidence.
***It is paramount to keep in mind that skills are limited to use in respective parts only. You CANNOT use Reading Part A skills in Part B & C and vice versa. To score good, you need to alter the skills you are using with each part.
