Free OET Practice Test and Study Guide [2026]

In this part of the test, there is a short extract relating to the work of health professionals. For the question below, choose the answer (A, B, or C) which you think fits best according to the text.

Guideline: Reporting Medical Device Defects

All staff must remain vigilant regarding the performance of medical equipment. If a device is suspected of being defective or has caused a 'near miss' incident, it must be withdrawn from service immediately and clearly labeled 'Do Not Use'. The ward manager must be notified, and a formal report should be submitted to the Clinical Engineering Department within 24 hours. Staff are cautioned not to attempt any unauthorized repairs or adjustments, as this may interfere with subsequent investigations by the manufacturer or regulatory bodies. In cases where a patient has been harmed, the device must be sequestered with all its original packaging and disposables intact for forensic analysis. 

In the following questions, choose the most correct answer based on the text. Note that in the actual OET Reading assessment, the text would be longer to include 8 questions.

Palliative care was once narrowly defined as "end-of-life" care, reserved strictly for patients in their final days or weeks of life. This historical perspective often led to a delay in referrals, as both clinicians and families associated the service exclusively with the cessation of curative treatment. However, modern medicine has undergone a paradigm shift, now viewing palliative care as a supportive layer that should be integrated early in the trajectory of any life-limiting illness, regardless of the patient's prognosis.

Recent studies suggest that early integration of palliative services can lead to significant improvements in both quality of life and, surprisingly, survival rates. By focusing on symptom management—such as pain, dyspnea, and psychological distress—specialized teams allow patients to better tolerate the rigors of aggressive treatments like chemotherapy. This synergy between curative and supportive care challenges the outdated "either/or" mentality, suggesting that the most effective clinical outcomes are achieved when these two disciplines work in tandem.

In this part of the test, you’ll hear an extract in which people are talking in a different healthcare setting.  

Take a couple of seconds to read the questions, then click play on the extract and choose the correct answer.

In this part of the test, you’ll hear an extract in which a health professional is talking about aspects of their work.

Take a couple of seconds to read the questions, then click play on the extract. Choose the correct answer for each question.

Background: You are a 22-year-old university student. For the past month, you have developed a very itchy, red, and flaky rash on the inside of your elbows and behind your knees. It is embarrassing, and you have been wearing long sleeves to hide it. You are currently under a lot of pressure due to final exams. 

Tasks: 

• Describe your symptoms to the doctor and mention that the itching often keeps you awake at night. 

• Express anxiety about the cause; ask if you caught this from someone else or if it could be something life-threatening like skin cancer. 

• Ask the doctor if there is a way to "cure" it permanently before your graduation ceremony next month. 

• Be resistant to using "steroid cream" because you have heard that steroids are "dangerous" and "make the skin thin".
  
• Agree to the treatment once the doctor explains the safety precautions and how to manage your exam stress. 

Using the information in the case report, write a referral letter to Dr. Helena Vance, a Cardiologist at Riverton Specialist Centre, 100 High St, Riverton. Request an urgent assessment for suspected stable angina. 

In your answer:  

• Expand the relevant notes into complete sentences 
• Do not use note form 
• Use letter format 

The body of the letter should be approximately 180-200 words. 

Patient: Mr. Robert Henderson  DOB: 15.05.1960  Residence: 42 Oak Lane, Riverton  

Social Background: Retired engineer. Lives with wife. Non-smoker. Social alcohol (1–2 glasses of wine/week).  

Family History: 

• Nil significant 

Medical History: 

• HTN – Dx 2018 
• Hypercholesterolaemia – Dx 2020 
• Osteoarthritis (knees) – mild  

Current Medications: 

• Ramipril 10mg mane 
• Atorvastatin 20mg nocte 
• Paracetamol 500mg prn  

Clinical Timeline: 

June 1st, 2026:  

• Presented with 2-week history of "tightness" in chest during morning walks. Lasts 5–10 mins. Relieved by rest. 
• O/E: BP 145/92. HR 78. BMI 29. Lungs clear. 
• Plan: Ordered resting ECG, FBE, Lipids, U&Es. Advised to limit exertion. 

June 15th, 2026: 

• Patient has avoided morning walks as advised, but now experiences tightness during light gardening. Frequency has increased from twice weekly to almost daily. 

• Review of results. ECG: Normal sinus rhythm, no acute changes. Lipids: Total Chol 5.8 (High), LDL 3.9 (High). FBE/U&Es: Pending (not yet returned). 

• Administer Aspirin 100mg daily and Glyceryl Trinitrate (GTN) spray prn. 

Discussion: Patient reports symptoms are more frequent (now occurring during light gardening). Anxious about "heart attack." 

Assessment: Suspected Unstable Angina. 

Plan: Refer to Cardiologist for further investigation (Stress Test/Angiography). 

Dr. Helena Vance Cardiologist 
Riverton Specialist Centre  
100 High St, Riverton 

20 June 2026 

Dear Dr. Vance, 

Re: Mr. Robert Henderson 42 Oak Lane, Riverton   DOB: 15.05.1960 

I I am writing to urgently refer Mr. Henderson, a 65-year-old patient with a history of hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia, for assessment of suspected unstable angina. 

Mr. Henderson first presented on 01 June 2026 with a two-week history of retrosternal chest tightness occurring during his morning walks. Although he was advised to limit his physical exertion, he reported today that his symptoms have become more frequent and are now triggered by minimal activity, such as light gardening. 

On examination, his blood pressure was 145/92 mmHg. A resting ECG performed last week was unremarkable; however, his lipid profile shows elevated total cholesterol (5.8 mmol/L) and LDL (3.9 mmol/L). Please note that while full blood count and urea and electrolyte results are still pending, his clinical trajectory suggests a worsening pattern of angina. 

I have initiated 100mg of aspirin daily and provided glyceryl trinitrate spray for PRN use. Given the increasing frequency of his chest pain despite reduced activity, I would appreciate your urgent review and further investigations, such as a stress test or coronary angiography. 

Yours sincerely, 
Doctor 

Why this is "Good": 

• Purpose: The first paragraph immediately states the diagnosis (stable angina) and the request (specialist assessment). 

• Organisation: It follows a logical sequence: Reason for referral → Symptoms/History → Examination/Labs → Treatment/Request. 

• Conciseness: It excludes irrelevant details like his former job as an engineer or his mild knee arthritis, which don't impact the cardiac referral. 

• Language: Uses professional transitions like "Consequently" and "deem appropriate".

Dr Helena Vance  
Riverton 

Dear Doctor, 

I am writing about my patient Robert Henderson who lives at 42 Oak Lane. He has high blood pressure and high cholesterol but his family doesn't have any heart problems. 

He came in on March 1st because his chest was tight when he walked. I told him to stop walking so much and take it easy, and he did try to stay quiet, but it didn't work. Now he gets the pain just by doing a little bit of gardening. It's happening almost every day now. 

I did an ECG and it was normal. I'm still waiting for the blood results for his FBE and U&Es so I can't tell you those yet. His cholesterol is 5.8 which is high. 

I think he has angina and it is getting worse so I gave him a spray and some aspirin. Please see him soon to check his heart. 

Regards,  
Doctor 

Why this is "Bad": 

• Genre & Style: The tone is too informal ("I am writing to you about," "He says," "Thanks"). 

• Organisation & Layout: It uses a "storytelling" approach rather than a clinical one. It lacks a formal letterhead and a clear "Re:" line with the patient’s details. 

• Conciseness & Clarity: It includes irrelevant information about his previous career and his knee pain, which distracts the reader. 

• Purpose: The purpose is buried; the reader has to get halfway through the letter to realize this is a suspected angina case.