Step 1: know your target
Find the line for the organisation receiving your result on the score requirements page. The line can differ by sub-test, and rules on combining sittings vary.
Step 2: find your weakest skill
Before you plan, spend one sitting on a timed Listening test and Reading test, then write one letter from a writing sample and record one role-play on your phone. Most of your time should go to the skill furthest from your line.
A six-week OET plan
This assumes about an hour a day alongside work. Shorten it if you are already close, or repeat weeks 3 and 4 if you are not.
| Week | Focus | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Format and baseline | Timed Listening and Reading, one letter, one recorded role-play. List your mistakes by type. |
| 2 | Listening and spelling | Part A notes daily, plus the medical vocabulary list. Check every misspelling. |
| 3 | Reading speed | Part A in strictly 15 minutes three times this week; Parts B and C with evidence for each answer. |
| 4 | Writing selection | Two letters. For each one, decide what the reader needs before you write. |
| 5 | Speaking with a person | Two role-plays a session with a partner or an AI patient: find the patient's worry before explaining. |
| 6 | Full timed tests | One full test across all four skills, then only your weakest areas. Rest the day before. |
Practise each skill
Listening
Write what you hear, not what you expect, and practise spelling. Start with Listening Part A and the vocabulary list.
Reading
Part A rewards fast scanning, not reading every word. Use Reading Part A with a timer.
Writing
Choosing what to leave out matters as much as your grammar. Compare your work with the model letters and the letter format.
Speaking
Ask what the patient already knows, respond to their worry and check they understood. Use a speaking partner plan or an AI patient.
Free material to start with
Download a pack for nurses or a pack for doctors, or browse the free PDF library.
If you have already sat the test, see what to do after a low result.
Questions candidates ask
How long does it take to prepare for OET?
There is no fixed time. It depends on your current English, your required score and how much you can practise. A timed diagnostic shows how far you are from your line, and the six-week plan here can be shortened or repeated.
Can I prepare for OET at home without classes?
Yes. You can practise all four skills at home, but you need honest feedback on Writing and Speaking, from a teacher, a study partner or an AI tool.
What is the hardest part of OET?
It varies by person and profession. In OET's 2025 statistics, 24.9% of nurses reached grade B or above in Reading, against 82.2% in Speaking, so Reading deserves early attention if you are a nurse.
Which books should I use for OET?
Start with the official OET sample tests and the Test Handbook, then add practice that gives you feedback. A book is not essential if you are doing timed practice and reviewing your mistakes.
Sources
Last checked . Rules and prices change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
OETAce is an independent practice site. OET is a registered trademark of Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment (CBLA); we are not affiliated with or endorsed by CBLA. All practice material here is original.