OET Listening takes about 40 to 45 minutes and has 42 questions in three parts: Part A (two patient consultations with 24 note-completion questions), Part B (six short workplace extracts, one multiple-choice question each) and Part C (two longer presentations or interviews, six multiple-choice questions each). You hear each recording once only, so prediction, focused listening and accurate spelling are the keys to Grade B.
OET Listening format
| Part | Recordings | Questions | What you do |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 2 consultations between a health professional and a patient | 24 | Complete case notes with words you hear |
| B | 6 short extracts from the healthcare workplace (handovers, briefings, team discussions) | 6 | Choose the best answer (A, B or C) |
| C | 2 longer presentations or interviews on healthcare topics | 12 | Choose the best answer for each question |
Part A strategies
- Use the reading time to predict what kind of word goes in each gap: a symptom, a drug, a number, a body part, a duration.
- Write what you hear, not a synonym. Answers are usually the exact words the speaker uses.
- Spelling matters. Learn common medical words: diarrhoea, haemorrhage, paracetamol, ibuprofen, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness.
- Abbreviations are generally accepted if they are standard, but writing the full word is safest when unsure.
- Watch for self-correction: “I took it twice a day, well, actually three times.” The last version is the answer.
- Don’t panic if you miss one gap. Move to the next heading.
Part B strategies
- Read the question and options in the pause; underline the key idea (purpose, concern, instruction).
- Expect distractors: all three options are often mentioned, but only one answers the question.
- Listen for signals like “the main thing is”, “what I’m worried about”, “we need to make sure”.
Part C strategies
- Questions follow the order of the recording.
- Focus on the speaker’s opinion and attitude: surprised, critical, cautious, optimistic.
- Listen for contrast words: “but”, “however”, “what people don’t realise is”.
- If you miss an answer, choose your best guess and move straight to the next question.
Daily practice routine (30 minutes)
- 10 minutes: one Part A consultation, then check spellings
- 10 minutes: health podcast or lecture with notes on the speaker’s main argument
- 10 minutes: dictation of medical vocabulary and numbers
Listen to a variety of accents: British, Australian, Irish and others, because OET recordings feature different English accents.
Common mistakes
- Writing too many words in a gap
- Misspelling drug names and symptoms
- Choosing an option because you heard its exact words
- Getting stuck on one question and missing the next three
Frequently asked questions
Is the OET Listening audio played twice?
No. Each recording is played once.
What score do nurses need in OET Listening?
Most regulators, including the UK NMC, require Grade B (350). Check your target regulator’s current requirements.
Does spelling count in Part A?
Yes. Misspelled answers may be marked wrong, so practise medical spelling.
Related reading: OET Reading tips · OET Speaking role-play sample · Common medical abbreviations
Check the latest format on the official OET website before your test.