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Taking the Listening Test

50 minutes

About the Listening sub-test

The Listening sub-test consists of three parts, and
a total of 42 question items. The topics are of
generic healthcare interest and accessible to
candidates across all professions. The total
length of the Listening audio is about 40 minutes,
including recorded speech and pauses to allow
you time to write your answers. You will hear
each recording once and are expected to write
your answers while listening.
Help
The Listening sub-test structure
Part A – consultation extracts (about 5 minutes each)

Part A assesses your ability to identify speci c information

during a consultation. You will listen to two recorded health
professional-patient consultations and you will complete the
health professional’s notes using the information you
hear. Note: the health professionals may be any one of
the 12 professions who can take OET.

Part B – short workplace extracts (about 1 minute each)

Part B assesses your ability to identify the detail, gist,

opinion or purpose of short extracts from the healthcare
workplace. You will listen to six recorded extracts (e.g. team
brie ngs, handovers, or health professional-patient
dialogues) and you will answer one multiple-choice question
for each extract.

Part C – presentation extracts (about 5 minutes each)

Part C assesses your ability to follow a recorded presentation

or interview on a range of accessible healthcare topics. You
will listen to two di erent extracts and you will answer six
multiple-choice questions for each extract.

How is listening ability assessed in OET?

The Listening sub-test is designed to assess a range of
listening skills, such as identifying speci c information,
detail, gist, opinion or the speaker’s purpose. These skills are
assessed through note-completion tasks and multiple-choice
questions.

Assessors who mark the Listening sub-test are quali ed and

highly trained. Candidate responses are assessed against an
established marking guide. During the marking session,
problematic or unforeseen answers are referred to a sub-
group of senior assessors for guidance and all papers are
double-marked to ensure fairness and consistency.

Learning Resources
ABC – All in the Mind
ABC – Health Minutes
ABC – Health Report
ABC – Life Matters
 BBC – Health
BBC – Health Check
BBC – Inside Health
BBC – Science in Action

How is the listening test scored?

Your answers for Part A are double-marked by trained OET
assessors.

These answers are randomly assigned to assessors to avoid

any con ict of interest.

Your answers for Part B and Part C are computer scanned

and automatically scored.

For Part A, Listening assessors use a detailed marking guide

which sets out which answers receive marks. Assessors use
this guide to decide whether you have provided enough
correct information to be given the mark. Assessors are
monitored for accuracy and consistency.

Listening FAQs
 How are marks for the Listening sub-
test distributed?

 Why are various accents used in the

audio recordings for OET Listening?

 Where do I write my answers for the

Listening sub-test?

 Do I have time to check my answers

for the Listening sub-test?

 Do I need to write down exactly what

I hear?
 Can I use abbreviations in the
Listening sub-test?

 Do I lose marks if I give incorrect or

extra information in the Listening
sub-test?

 Do I lose marks for spelling mistakes

in the Listening sub-test?

 How many questions do I need to get

correct for the Listening sub-test?

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