Tips for improving accuracy and speed in Reading C
Identifying Opinion in OET Reading Requires BOTH Accuracy and Speed
The Occupational English Test (OET) is a crucial hurdle for healthcare professionals who wish to work in an English-speaking environment. You need both accuracy, i.e., precision in your answers PLUS speed, i.e., managing your time effectively.
Reading C Overview
OET Reading Part C challenges you to read two texts. They are 800 words each and are articles or article extracts. You can expect to read opinions or perspectives on a certain topic in healthcare. The topics will be accessible to a broad audience and do not require any specialist knowledge.
There are eight 4-option multiple-choice questions per text, and you have 45 minutes for Parts B and C combined. 10 minutes is a good amount of time for answering Part B, leaving 35 minutes for C.
For candidates taking the test on a computer, there will be two panes: one has the text and the other has the questions. You can highlight words in the questions and the text to help you. You choose the answer you want by clicking the mouse. There is also an optional strikeout function. Candidates taking the test on paper, can underline words in the question and answer options, as well as make notes on the test paper and the texts themselves.
The questions will test your understanding of explicit meaning and implicit meaning, i.e., the writer's opinion and purpose. There are also questions where you need to closely identify the meaning of words underlined in the texts (lexical questions) and what they refer to (reference questions).
Source: https://oet.com/post/reading-part-c-the-complete-guide
Let’s explore how you can enhance these two essential skills and ensure you’re ready to tackle this challenge on test day.
Problem 1: You Need Accuracy on Test Day
When you’re faced with a passage in the OET Reading section, you’ll encounter a mix of facts and opinions. Your ability to distinguish between the two is critical. Accuracy is about more than just getting the right answer; it’s about understanding why an answer is correct. On test day, you can’t afford to second-guess yourself. That’s where practicing with a focus on accuracy comes in.
Practice Using Confidence Scoring
One effective way to improve accuracy is through confidence scoring. This practice involves answering a question and then giving yourself a score based on how confident you are in your answer. But don't stop there—take it a step further by explaining why you chose that answer.
It’s not enough to say, "This word is mentioned in the text." You need to dig deeper. Ask yourself: what is the underlying meaning? How does this word or phrase contribute to the overall message of the passage? When you’re able to paraphrase the author’s opinion or intention in your own words, you’re on the right track.
For example, if a passage says, "The new hospital regulations are a significant improvement," you might identify the opinion as positive. But why? You could explain it by saying, "The author believes the regulations are beneficial because they address previous issues." This kind of detailed reasoning not only improves your accuracy but also solidifies your understanding.
Problem 2: You Need Speed on Test Day
While accuracy is crucial, it’s only one side of the coin. The OET Reading section is time-limited, so you need to work quickly and efficiently. Achieving this balance between accuracy and speed requires practice and strategy.
Here are some tips to enhance your speed without compromising on accuracy:
1. Skim First, Then Focus
Quickly skim the paragraph to get a general sense of the writer’s main point and what evidence they are presenting. This is useful for the questions on writer’s purpose and opinion.
2. Practice Timed Exercises
Regularly practice with a timer to simulate exam conditions. Start by giving yourself a bit more time than the actual test allows, then gradually reduce it as you become more comfortable.
3. Use the Process of Elimination
When you’re unsure of an answer, eliminate the obviously incorrect options first. This increases your chances of choosing the right answer quickly. Elimination is safest where the text provides information that negates an answer option. Make sure you do not eliminate too quickly and NEVER eliminate something which you think is relevant just because you do not understand.
4. Develop Keyword Recognition
Train yourself to recognize keywords that signal opinion, such as "believe," "think," "should," as well as adjectives and adverbs. Opinions in the text can also be expressed with ‘hedging’ language such as ‘perhaps’ and ‘possibly’.
5. Build your skills at reading longer texts
Read more each day. Start with books that are a little challenging, but not too difficult—something like Harry Potter, not medical textbooks. Choose books that you can finish in a week. Short stories, magazines, and cookbooks are good choices too.
If you are in the UK and have a library card, then you can access thousands of physical and electronic books. You can also access magazines and newspapers through the Pressreader app.
Pick things you enjoy reading about and make time to read for 15 minutes every day. This will help your brain recognize patterns in the language. It might feel hard at first, but don't give up. Try to guess the meaning of new words from the context before looking them up.
Practical Strategies for Improving Accuracy and Confidence in Reading C
When practising with OET papers, write down your confidence score for each answer on a scale of 1-10.
For difficult questions, push yourself to commit to an answer and write a reason for your choice. When you review the answers, reflect on your reasoning, not just whether you got the answer right or wrong.
Read widely in English and read about people, places, and things you are genuinely interested in and enjoy. For OET reading, get into the habit of guessing what new words mean from the surrounding words.
Learn your preferred style of using a dictionary. Too often slows you down but too little means you might miss out on learning. Find what works for you.
Keep a diary of new words and phrases.
Navigating Uncertainty in Reading C: Lessons from a Case Study
ZA, a doctor from Turkey, had attempted the OET when we met and not achieved the 350 needed for accreditation. When we started working together, I asked about her current method of approaching Reading C. The answer and the problem was all too familiar:
'I eliminate the clearly wrong answer options - but then I cannot decide between the two that remain'.
This indecision was causing her a lot of frustration because her English skills were very developed, so we started by ignoring the answer options and finding points in the text that she felt related to the question. I then worked with her to say those points in her own words. At first, this was uncomfortable, because there were words and phrases that she was not sure she knew. My answer:
'Take a guess from the surrounding words and relate the newly guessed sentence to the question!'
In this way, a positive connection to the text was established even when not all the words were understood. The transformation was exciting to watch because she found deeper engagement with what the writer was saying.
We also used 'confidence scoring' where she rated her chosen answer into 'high - medium - low'.
Over the three sessions we spent together, it never exceeded medium, even when the answers were actually correct! However, over time, this steady self-belief strengthened and in the end, she achieved a respectable B bandscore.
How tutoring can help you ace Reading C
A good tutor can help you by giving you insights into what you are reading. Sometimes you need things to be explained simply and clearly, and I spend a lot of time paraphrasing things to my students. Talking about words and phrases can often trigger an ‘A-HA’ moment for my students. They realise HOW English works. Also, if you are struggling to think through the answer options, having a patient and friendly support can help build your skills. If you’d like to know more about how I can help you, please book a Discovery Session.
Conclusion
Mastering the ability to identify opinions in the OET Reading section is a challenge that requires both accuracy and speed. By practicing confidence scoring and developing metacognitive strategies, you can improve your accuracy and build confidence in your approach. At the same time, incorporating speed-enhancing techniques into your practice will ensure you can manage your time effectively on test day. With the right balance, you'll be well-prepared to tackle the OET and move one step closer to your professional goals.
