Effective Time Management Strategies for OET Candidates

Levi Cheptora

Fri, 06 Jun 2025

For healthcare professionals preparing for the Occupational English Test (OET), time management can be the difference between passing or struggling. From creating a realistic study plan to managing time during the exam itself, mastering these strategies will help ensure that you’re fully prepared and confident on test day.

This article provides a detailed approach to time management for OET candidates, helping you balance your workload and optimize your preparation efforts.

1. Understand the Structure and Timing of the OET

The first step in managing your time effectively is understanding the structure of the OET. Each section has a specific time limit, and knowing these in advance will help you plan your study sessions and strategize for exam day.

• Listening: 40 minutes
• Reading: 60 minutes
• Writing: 45 minutes
• Speaking: 20 minutes

Tip: Take note of how much time each section requires and allocate your study hours accordingly. You’ll want to practice completing tasks within these time limits.

Resource:

• OET Official Test Format
  Explore the OET Test Format

2. Create a Study Schedule That Fits Your Lifestyle

Balancing work, personal life, and OET preparation can be challenging. To ensure you stay on track, create a personalized study schedule that fits into your routine. Start by assessing how much time you can realistically dedicate to studying each day, factoring in work shifts and other commitments.

Tip: Break down your study plan into daily, weekly, and monthly goals. Focus on different sections of the test each day and review regularly to retain knowledge.

Sample Study Schedule:

• Monday:
  1 hour of Listening practice
  30 minutes of Speaking practice

• Tuesday:
  1 hour of Reading practice
  30 minutes of Writing practice

• Wednesday:
  Full-length Listening test
  1 hour of Writing

• Thursday:
  Speaking role-play practice
  1 hour of Reading

• Friday:
  Mock exam (all sections)

• Saturday:
  Rest or light revision

Resource:

• Download Free OET Study Planner Template
  Get the Study Planner

3. Prioritize Your Weakest Areas

Time management doesn’t just apply to balancing life and study time; it also applies to how you focus your efforts. After assessing your skills in each OET section, prioritize the areas where you need the most improvement.

For example, if you struggle with Writing, allocate more hours to practicing referral and discharge letters. Conversely, if you’re confident in Listening, you can spend less time on that section and more on others.

Tip: Use a diagnostic test or practice test to identify your weakest sections.

Resource:

• Take a Free OET Practice Test
  Download OET Practice Test

4. Use Timed Practice Tests

Timed practice tests simulate the exam environment and teach you how to manage your time during the actual test. Try to complete each section within the official time limits, gradually increasing your speed and accuracy.

• Listening: Focus on quick note-taking and identifying key points.
• Reading: Practice skimming and scanning techniques to quickly locate answers.
• Writing: Allocate 5 minutes to plan and 40 minutes to write your response.
• Speaking: Practice speaking within the 20-minute time frame, simulating a real consultation.

Tip: Schedule full-length mock tests at least twice during your preparation to assess your timing under pressure.

Resource:

• OET Mock Tests (Free & Paid)
  Take Free OET Mock Tests
  Access Paid OET Mock Exams

5. Break Your Study Time into Focused Sessions

Instead of trying to study for hours at a time, break your study sessions into focused blocks of time. Use techniques like the Pomodoro Method, where you study for 25-30 minutes, followed by a 5-minute break. This helps you stay focused without burning out.

Sample Time Breakdown:

• 25 minutes of intense study (e.g., reading a case study)
• 5-minute break
• Repeat this 4 times, then take a 20-30 minute break

Tip: Use apps like Focus Booster or Forest to help you stay disciplined during study sessions.

Resource:

• Pomodoro Timer (Free App)
  Download Focus Booster

6. Integrate Practice into Your Daily Life

For healthcare professionals who have busy schedules, finding time for focused study can be difficult. To manage your time effectively, look for ways to integrate OET practice into your daily life.

• Listening Practice: Listen to healthcare podcasts or OET sample listening tests during your commute.
• Speaking Practice: Try explaining medical terms or procedures to a colleague in layman’s terms during lunch breaks.
• Reading Practice: Skim through healthcare journals or medical research articles in your downtime.
• Writing Practice: Write quick referral letters based on cases you encounter at work.

Resource:

• Healthcare Podcasts for OET Listening Practice
  Explore Podcasts

7. Set Realistic, Achievable Goals

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when preparing for a major exam like the OET. Avoid burnout by setting small, achievable goals each day. For example, aim to complete one full practice letter for the Writing section or focus on mastering one role-play scenario for Speaking.

Tip: Track your progress using a study journal or app, and celebrate small milestones like completing a practice test or improving your mock scores.

Resource:

• OET Study Progress Tracker
  Download Study Tracker

8. Simulate Exam Day Conditions

On the day of the OET, time management is critical. To get used to the time pressure, practice under real exam conditions. This means taking mock tests in a quiet room, using a timer, and completing all sections in one sitting.

By replicating the exam environment, you’ll become more familiar with pacing yourself and managing the stress of a timed exam.

Tip: Set up a quiet study space with no distractions, and turn off notifications on your phone during practice exams.

Resource:

• Free OET Exam Simulation Practice
  Access Full OET Mock Test

9. Prepare for Each Section's Timing

Each section of the OET has unique timing challenges. For example:

• Listening: You only get to hear the audio once, so train yourself to listen attentively and take quick notes.
• Reading: You’ll need to pace yourself to complete the three parts within the 60-minute time limit. Practice skimming and scanning techniques.
• Writing: Aim to spend the first 5-7 minutes planning your response and 35-40 minutes writing it.
• Speaking: Use role-play scenarios to practice keeping your consultation within the 20-minute limit.

Resource:

• OET Time Management Tips
  Download OET Time Management Guide

10. Take Care of Your Health and Well-being

Effective time management also means taking care of yourself. Make sure to include time for rest, exercise, and relaxation in your study schedule. Sleep is crucial for memory retention, so aim for 7-8 hours a night, especially as the exam date approaches.

Tip: Plan for relaxation or light revision days in your schedule to avoid burnout.

Conclusion

Managing your time effectively is essential for OET success. By following these strategies—creating a personalized study plan, taking timed practice tests, focusing on your weakest areas, and integrating study into your daily routine—you’ll be well-prepared for test day. Remember, consistency is key, and balancing study with rest is critical to staying focused and confident in your preparation journey.

Additional Resources:

• OET Official Website
  Visit OET.org

• Free OET Practice Tests
  Download OET Practice Tests

• OET Study Group Finder
  Join an OET Study Group