The three parts, with a free test for each
| Part | Texts and questions | Timing | What it asks | Free practice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4 short texts · 20 questions | 15 minutes, then it locks | Fill gaps in summaries and match to the texts | Reading Part A practice |
| B | 6 workplace texts · 6 questions | Part B and C share 45 minutes | Purpose or main point of an email, memo, policy or notice | Reading Part B practice |
| C | 2 long texts · 16 questions | Part B and C share 45 minutes | Writer’s view, reference and meaning in context | Reading Part C practice |
Format from the OET Test Handbook 2026. Checked 11 Nov 2026.
Sit the whole paper
Reading Test 1 and Test 2 are the full 60-minute paper with the Part A lock, free without an account. After you submit you see your mark, a practice estimate for the score, the sentence that proves each answer and the reason for every wrong one.
- Run Part A first. Use the 15-minute timer on the Part A page and stop when it ends.
- Part B next. Aim for about ten minutes; that leaves 35 for Part C. This split is our suggestion, not an OET rule.
- Then Part C. Take it one paragraph at a time and separate who thinks what.
What your mark means
Enter the total in the score calculator for an estimated range, and compare it with the line on the requirements page. Whatever the number, the useful part is the wrong answers: for each one, find the sentence that proves the key and see which wording you were pulled towards.
Questions candidates ask
Where can I find an OET reading practice test with answers?
On this site: Reading Test 1 and Test 2 are free with no account and show answers with the proving sentence after you submit. Test 1 is also split into Parts A, B and C, each on one page with the answers.
How many questions are in OET Reading?
42: 20 in Part A, 6 in Part B and 16 in Part C. Each question is one mark.
How long is OET Reading?
60 minutes: Part A is 15 minutes and Parts B and C share 45 minutes. When Part A time ends, the Part A papers are collected, so keep to the clock.
How many marks do I need in OET Reading for a B?
OET adjusts the conversion for each test, so there is no fixed table. Its guidance is that about 30 of 42 is usually around 350 (grade B). Some regulators ask for 360, such as AHPRA from 23 April 2026.
Do the answers explain the wrong options?
Yes. Each answer quotes the sentence that proves it and says why the other options are wrong, for example an option that is true in the text but answers a different question.
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.